₦airaland Forum

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: FRIDAY 22ND APRIL 2016

THEME: GODLY SORROW? 

MEMORISE: For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2ndCorinthians 7:10

READ: Luke 22: 60-62
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the rooster crew.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the rooster crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

MESSAGE:
When Peter realized that he did not fulfil his promise to not deny Jesus Christ, the Bible says: “…he went out, and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75). This is what we call godly sorrow and it has its blessings.
When an individual is confronted with reality of his sinful life and the certainty of hell, if he is not a reprobate, he will mourn of his woes. The best way to mourn for one’s sin is to confess and forsake them.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 28:13-14

In our Bible reading for today, the Pharisee went to the temple, only to begin to eulogise himself about all his good deeds. The Publican, on the other hand, smote his heart and mourned for his sins. Some of us have been so self-conceited for too long a time that we have piled-up sins that are now standing in our ways to spiritual revival.
The Bible says:
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven but smote upon his breast, saying God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exaleteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:13-14

Beloved of the Lord, let us examine ourselves and see where we are falling short of God’s grace for living holy. Let us repent genuinely, and come back to our first love. I pray that the Lord will revive you today in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, I need a revival of holiness, please revive me again.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 21-22 and Proverbs 14:4-17

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

1. Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless 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,
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,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power 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,
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,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2016

THEME: A BETRAYER? 

MEMORISE: But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. Luke 22:21

READ: Luke 22:19-23
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

MESSAGE:
A betrayer is a covenant breaker and there is danger in being a covenant breaker (Romans 1:31). A betrayer is someone who knows the secret of the strong and/or the weak point of an individual through an intimate relationship and leaks or exposes it to that individual’s opponent. A typical example of a betrayer is Judas Iscariot. Reading the story of the betrayal of Jesus Christ will teach us many lessons. Firstly, the fact that someone is close to you does not mean he or she cannot betray you. As a matter of fact, it is the closeness that fosters the idea of betrayal. Hardly could a casual acquaintance be guilty of betrayal because there is hardly any secret to divulge. Secondly, a betrayal is a killer and so a betrayer is murderous.
“Yet stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.”
Acts 7:51-52

The Bible describes a betrayer as someone who reveals secrets (Proverbs 11:13). Proverbs 26:22 says
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost part of the belly.”
Betrayal is not a Christian virtue. Before the Almighty God, it attracts a “capital punishment” as it is written:
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
Matthew 18:6-7

Beloved of God, let us not be caught-up with the spirit of the end-time as predicted by apostle Paul in his writings about the characteristics of the perilous times, when there will be blasphemers, boasters, trucebreakers, false accusers, despisers of godliness, traitors, and lovers of pleasures than lovers of God. I pray that as many as have been caught in these deadly habits shall be delivered today in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, deliver me from the spirit of betrayal; don’t let me end up like Judas Iscariot in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:15 and Proverbs 13:1-14

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED.

1. O Jesus, I have promised,
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my Guide.

2. Oh, let me feel Thee near me;
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
3. And shield my soul from sin.

Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
To hasten, or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.

4. O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

5. Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in Thy strength alone.
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then to rest receive me,
My Savior and my Friend.

adebisiema:
you now see why we in southwest are called the most tolerant and the most hospitable ethnic group in the world over...

#i rep Oodua nation!

A man's gift makes room for him,he will sit with kings not mean men.
Secondly,they learnt the yoruba language showing they love the people.Others would out of hate not want anything with them.
So bros Humans are the same everywhere.
Apart from their ability to speak yoruba,I think their complexion is a plus.I hear a yoruba actress confirm this in an interview,when she was asked why she bleaches.

malton:
Don't mind the detractors.

They just won't stand the sight of anyone threatening their hegemony.

Instead of working harder to earn the stay atop, they rather others don't grow at all, just so they can keep a firm grip.

Bros,instead of attacking "the Oyinbos" why not wait to see the kind of agreement Nigeria is entering into,did the oyinbos sign with PBOC or the "private bank"?,do they have the same import habits like Nigeria?,so many other things should be considered.
Finally,Must we borrow because UK borrowed?

Beeman1:
chinese government don't even know the Id*iot. I swear this man is mad.

So why are you worried?Why curse a harmless man?Fayose only showed us what activists should be doing instead of protesting on the streets.

Wonderful Jesus.
Singing: in tenderness He sought me.Weary and deep in Sin...

mobaking:
Welldone presido,the stolen dollars will have to be dug out of the soakaways because it will loose some of its value.Haters continue...

but he didn't say that Nigerians will discontinue the use of dollars na.Besides, those who you refer to are wiser in their own generation.So na the common man go still feel am pass.

Very Soon there will be a universal currency,THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST IS NEAR..unfortunately,it will be more difficult for those without the mark of the beast then

josh4ever:
For once no insults or name calling... awesome!!!

Back to the matter...

The world needs to break the strangle hold the dollar has on most currencies else the global economy will remain in shambles.
I still can't figure out why one country's currency will be the global standard for trading. Not gold that is neutral, not any other commodity or currency but the US dollar. It favours the US as they print to sell to the world. Perhaps the world should develop an internationally friendly currency to ensure fairness in trading and keep the global economy buoyant.

Pprovost:
All I will say.....









IT IS WELL!!!

even in the WELL, my brother

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: TUESDAY 12TH APRIL 2016

THEME: THE UNCHANGEABLE CHANGER

MEMORISE: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8

READ: Genesis 32:24-32
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.

MESSAGE:
One thing every man, especially a child of God must always remember is that our God is the unchangeable changer. In the Genesis account of the beginning, we saw how the Unchangeable Changer effected miraculous changes without Himself being changed.
“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” Genesis 1:2-3

In Genesis 21, the Unchangeable Changer changed the unfruitful situation of Sarah to fruitfulness. He did the same in the case of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2, proving that what He did in the life of the father of faith, He could do in the life of his descendants also. This is why I know that someone using this devotional will encounter this Great Changer that cannot change. As He did for those who sought and called Him in the past, so will He do for you as you call upon Him today in Jesus’ name.

The Almighty God has changed numerous unpleasant situations for the better in the past. For example, He changed the slavery of the children of Israel to freedom (Exodus 13). Also, Jabez prayed that the Lord should change his situation for better and the Unchangeable Changer heard him.
“And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren:  and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 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. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

One of my daughters in Church heard the story of how my wife miraculous gave birth to our last two children naturally and decided to believe God for a natural child delivery, like my wife did after three Caesarean sections. The God who never changes did the same for that daughter of mine. I have good news for someone reading this devotional today, as Jesus performed miracles in those days, so He still does today. I encourage you, beloved, to put your trust in Him and He will not let you down because He is the Unchangeable Changer. He will change your situation for better and you will glorify Him in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please change my situation for the better from today in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 29-31 and Proverbs 9:1-12

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 7: HOLY HOLY HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert and art and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

4nobody4every1:
Poverty is a bastard, the guy must have been so frustrated with his living conditions but suicide was not the best for him,secondly Nigeria does not have provisions for homeless people like we have in the West where people can go for assistance when in need and a single politician in Nigeria will have billions hidden both home and abroad, Rip young man, may you find comfort in the hands of your Maker

I thought some rich folks commit suicide too.No be only money.Itz usually hopelessness in a matter and sometimes an evil command that the victims can not RESIST OR REFUSE

Nothing dey do am.Just one of his media stunts.

PassingShot:
Keep quiet!
The Committee Chairman has laid everything bare and you're still asking a very very silly question!

Look at the person lecturing on what youths should do to assume mantle of leadership!

It sucks to be you.

Oga please try to be civil.Simply present the truth for the unbiased.Tnx
For instance,not minding the typos, someone said the following:

How can you defend what was not there i place? The budget copy is in the public do APC supporters even tried to celebrate it a transparency. A minister does not bring e to a budget defence. The budgets are sub the budget office for onward transfer to th Ministers do not submit budgets directly t NASS. That would actually be another adm fraud. Don't they get it?

Which kain medicine after death be dis?So non of the students in these departments can expose these lecturers?No video recordings of their incessant boasts in class,no revolt at all?So all girls and guys who got As in those courses fulfilled their demands?
Something is amiss ...
Meanwhile,this is bad publicity for the school especially graduates of the aforementioned departments

Omoalhaja7:
Gbam!!!
I really like ur 'optimistic view'....not like all dz wailers up there

must you mention wailers to complete your comment?
Why not say I REALLY LIKE UR 'OPTIMISTIC VIEW'(remove the inverted commas if that's what you mean).Tnx

Hmmn..sometimes I wish all the people who grace funerals and speak nice things about the dead will be the ones that will answer for the dead in judgement.
Unfortunately,Nomoreloss will stand ALONE TO GIVE ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE BOTH PUBLIC AND SECRET TO THE ONLY ONE WHO MATTER(HIS MAKER).
Prepare to meet thy God.No one goes to Heaven by Accident though Millions will go to Hell by Accident.
ACTS 4:12