Wednesday 30 July 2014

SUCCESSFUL THROUGH MEDITATION - 30/7/2014

SUCCESSFUL THROUGH MEDITATION - 30/7/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS!”. Today's message is titled "SUCCESSFUL THROUGH MEDITATION" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Joshua 1:8 : "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Today's reading was taken from  Psalm 1:1-6  and the Bible reading in one year is Matthew 13:44 to Matthew 16:4 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input

One of the inevitable benefits of righteousness is the ability to generate good success. Success is self-inviting and attractive. It has a compelling force around it that draws people to its possessor. Everyone desires good success. We all are being drawn by the compelling force of success consciously or unconsciously. There are many ways of describing success. Success describes the process of setting out to achieve an outcome and actualising this outcome as anticipated. Someone observed that there are at least two indispensable requirements of good success. These are creativity and innovation. Creativity describes thinking up new ideas and concepts while innovation describes doing new things, products and processes. The relationship between creativity and innovation generates success.

The above mentioned qualities of good success are inseparable and tally with scriptures. The Bible reveals that the alignment of creativity and innovation to produce good success is made possible by proper planning, creating a vision, creating a viable mission, continued learning, being prayerful and diligent, building a team, delegating and encouraging intuitive thinking, risk taking, effective listening, prompt obedience to the word of God, practicing coherent communication, accepting responsibility, promoting and developing products and services, new designs and new outcomes through patience. It can be deduced from the foregoing that proper meditation on the word of God will no doubt result in good success.

Are you born-again? Are you a child of God? You are designated for success. Outstanding success is of God. It is your covenant right, it is your redemptive right and it is your kingdom right. Success is your heritage in Christ while failure is an abuse of redemption. Be aware of the fact that mediocrity is not righteousness. No ordinary son is a pride of his father. A father only rejoices over his outstanding children, not those that are failures. If God is your Father, then you are designated for good success. Good success will however come when we meditate on the word of God and promptly do whatever it says (James 1:22).

The Prayer Point is Father, grant me the grace to always meditate on your Word and to practice whatever it says.

Thanks and God bless you for your contribution



Tuesday 29 July 2014

BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS-29/7/2014

BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS-29/7/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "READY TO WORK?”. Today's message is titled "BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS!" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise 1 Corinthians 12:3 : "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." Today's reading was taken from  John 14:26-27  and the Bible reading in one year is Matthew 12:9 to Matthew 13:43 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input

To succeed on Earth and make it to heaven, we should beware of false prophets. One of the ways to identify false prophets is through their disposition to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:3, we are told that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says: “Jesus be cursed”, and that no one can say that Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Spirit. False prophets have a negative attitude to the Lordship of Christ. It is true that false prophets are deceptive. Some are so deceptive that they pretend to say and to do many good things in the Name of Jesus. However, their actions always portray Jesus in bad light and make His Lordship inconsequential. The state of their heart is described in Matthew 15:8 which says,
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”

You should beware of false prophets and false teachers. There is no gain-saying the fact that the heart of a false prophet is far from the Lord. One way of recognising false prophets is through their fake prophecies. Many false prophets portray Jesus as a liar through their fake prophecies. Many predictions of false prophets, which they make using the name of the Lord do not come to pass. Consequently, people lose interest in them and may even conclude that Christianity is bogus. Another way to recognise a false prophet is by their unscriptural behaviour. Many false prophets are immoral. Some practice polygamy instead of monogamy. Some have chains of wives and concubines. Infidelity is rampant among many while some drink alcoholic beverages. They also enjoy dirty jokes and obscenity. Some false prophets have so degenerated to the extent of engaging in money rituals and other obnoxious practices. All these attitudes draw people away from the Lord and say, “Jesus be cursed”. Apart from the foregoing, most false prophets are false teachers. Matthew 7:16&20 say false prophets and false teachers are known by their fruits. False teachers disseminate false knowledge, skills and attitudes. Invariably, they produce disciples whose lifestyles do not glorify God. Most disciples of false teachers are outright agents of the devil; many of them are corrupt, immoral and pretentious. Beware of false prophets!

The Action Point is to Watch the fruits of a ministry before sowing your time and God-given resources into it.

May the Almighty God grant us the needed wisdom in Jesus Name, amen.


Monday 28 July 2014

READY TO WORK?: 28/7/2014

READY TO WORK?: 28/7/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "WEEP NOT”. Today's message is titled "READY TO WORK?" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Philippians 3:13 : "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." Today's reading was taken from  Philippians 3:12-14  and the Bible reading in one year is Matthew 9:27 to Matthew 12:8(Adeboye, 2014).


Quoted below is today's message for your input

Climbing new heights in your assignment will require a new level of diligence. When you ask God to enlarge your coast, you are inviting trouble because the bigger the church or assignment, the harder you work. When we were a smaller church, I could sit down with some of my children and we would eat, drink, gist and enjoy ourselves. But now, I may see them once in three years and our exchange of pleasantries normally goes thus: Long time, no see and the reply would be: Is that how it is now, Daddy? Similarly, years ago, I used to attend Sunday service at our Ebute Metta (Lagos) headquarters. I recall once that I was there for 16 Sundays while taking a series, but now, if they see me once a month, they will rejoice. If you truly desire the next level in ministry, you must be prepared to work. You must put aside past achievements and be ready to take on more volume of work and welcome fresh assignments like Paul. This is why he said:
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Philippians 3:13

It is ironic that what is pegging the promotion of some people is what they have already accomplished. If you meet them, they will tell you to go and check their track record. Ask them, Is there any present testimony? The answer is No, but in the past, I achieved this or that. It is good to give yourself a pat on the back, but also tell yourself that you have not started. While most people were envious of Paul and some were wishing they could do a fraction of what he did, he was saying he had no record of past achievements, as his major concern was what he could achieve now. On the other hand, some people who want to move on to higher levels of God in ministry, lack the capacity to cope with the assignment. If you really want to go up, you will prepare yourself in many ways. You will acquire more education; attend more seminars, workshops and trainings to equip you more. You will find out better, cheaper and faster ways of doing what you do. Are you truly ready for something higher?

The Action Point is to Identify areas where you could improve your capacity to take on greater responsibilities and work on it.

Sunday 27 July 2014

WEEP NOT: 27/7/2014

WEEP NOT: 27/7/2014

Memorise Isaiah 63:5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 

Read: Isaiah 63:4-5

Bible reading in one year: Matthew 7:1- Matthew 9:26

In Revelation 5:4, John wept because there was no man who could open a scroll that needed to be opened to reveal secrets on things to come. Nobody was worthy enough to receive the information despite the fact that the Lord in Amos 3:7 had promised to reveal His plans or secrets to His servants the prophets before doing anything. It was truly sad. When secrets are not unveiled, people remain in the dark without vision or direction. May you not be left in the dark concerning events about your life, family and church in Jesus Name. Does God trust you enough to disclose His secrets to you before He does anything in the life of anyone close to you? One truth we can learn from Elisha and Gehazi is that when no one has paid the price for a heavenly treasure or gift, God prefers to withhold it than to commit such treasure into wrong hands. This was why Elisha went to the grave with the double portion anointing. Have you paid the price for heavens treasures?

Fortunately, while John was crying, an elder told him to stop crying because the Lion of the Tribe of Judah had taken up the job. This means that, when no man or angel qualifies, God ends up making a way all by Himself. In Isaiah 63:5, God sought for someone who could help, He found no one, so His very arm brought the salvation He wanted. This tells us something  God cannot be stranded. He always has alternative plans. If one plan fails, He has a plan B, C, D, E, to infinity. Nobody can therefore successfully frustrate God. If He gives you an opportunity, it is not because He has no one else to do it, but because He just wants to honour you and make you feel important. Never take Gods opportunity for granted! He can do exactly what you are doing through another means. Furthermore, there is no need to weep again if you have received Jesus Christ into your heart. Why? It is because He has prevailed. In John 16:33, He says you should cheer up because He has overcome the world. Through Jesus Christ you can access solutions to any problem.

Action Point: If only you could stop weeping and look up to Jesus, you will discover the solution in Him.


Tuesday 15 July 2014

FORGETTING YOUR SOURCE? - 15/7/2014

FORGETTING YOUR SOURCE? - 15/7/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "CONSECRATION AND COMMITMENT”. Today's message is titled "FORGETTING YOUR SOURCE?" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Deuteronomy 8:17 : "And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth." Today's reading was taken from  Deuteronomy 8:7-14  and the Bible reading in one year is Deuteronomy 12 - Deuteronomy 13 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input

"It is possible for a blessing from God to later turn into a curse. Ephraim was so blessed that at a point he forgot God. Deuteronomy 8:7-18 warns against forgetting God after the Lord has prospered you. Deuteronomy 8:17 says:
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
This warning is still relevant to us today because even when it is not voiced out, it is implied by many who have achieved great things that they achieved them because they were smarter, wiser or more talented than others. You surely have forgotten the source of your victory if you accept the commendations of men, probably in a public gathering, that your achievements were made possible by hard work. Many are working harder than you yet they are far from getting to the height you have reached. Good success is more than skill. It is more than tact or hard work. You cannot have it without Gods backing.

How can you prove to God that you have not forgotten that He is the One who blessed you in the first place? It is when you put Him first in all you do. Malachi 3:8-10 says if you rob Him of His tithe, He will place you under a curse, but if you bring your full tithe, He will open the windows of Heaven to release more blessings on you. If you have not forgotten your source of blessing, you will tithe before even spending whatever He gives to you. In Genesis 22:1-18, after Abraham finally got a son from God, he was put to test to see if he loved the gift or the Giver more. God asked him to go and sacrifice Isaac and Abraham obeyed; but before he could kill the boy, God stopped him and pronounced an irreversible blessing on him. Are you ready to part with that valuable thing that God has given to you as proof that you have not forgotten Him? What is so dear to your heart that you are not prepared to give to God? That should be the first thing to give to Him to convince Him that you remember He is your source. Never touch what is His - pay your tithe in full or even exceed it. Show Him you appreciate and love Him beyond any gift He gives to you."

The Key Point is: If you are convinced that God is your source, there will be nothing He has given to you that you cannot return to Him, including your life.

Thank you and God bless you for your contribution. Have a blissful day


Monday 14 July 2014

LIFE INVOLVES RISKS- 14/07/2014

LIFE INVOLVES RISKS- 14/07/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "LIFE INVOLVES RISKS”. Today's message is titled "CONSECRATION AND COMMITMENT" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Philippians 1:21 : "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Today's reading was taken from   Romans 12:1-2  and the Bible reading in one year is Deuteronomy 9:13 to Deuteronomy 11:32 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input

After experiencing the elementary levels of ministry, there is a need to move on to higher levels. To experience these higher levels, there are certain criteria that must be met. The first is a higher level of consecration. We can see this in the life of Paul when in Galatians 2:20 he said:
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
By this he was saying, As far as I am concerned, I am completely sold out to God. I have given up my former lifestyle and desires for only what Jesus want of me. When you are consecrated, you make certain deposits on Gods altar of sacrifice that makes it difficult for you to live the way you used to. It takes consecration to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). When you are consecrated to God, you will have a regulated lifestyle. It takes consecration to die daily. The level you will go with God as well as how much God can use you in His Kingdom will depend on your level of consecration. Have you laid your all on the altar of sacrifice?

Another criterion for attaining a higher level in ministry is commitment. Commitment is putting your hands on the plough and never looking back. It takes commitment to preach when you are weak, tired or sick. It takes commitment to continue the work when your colleagues in the same department have left to do other things. It takes commitment for a man to say:
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1 Corinthians 9:16
Commitment highly influences what you are prepared to sacrifice. It affects your consecration. Commitment is fast becoming rare in the body of Christ as many are increasingly being distracted and diverted from what is needful. Your level of commitment will determine how much time you can give to God on a daily basis. It will determine the quality of your service. If you must move to higher levels in ministry, you must be consecrated and committed. Do you have these great traits in your life?

The Prayer Point is Father, let consecration and commitment be commonplace in your church.

God bless you all for your contribution. have a fruitful week in Jesus Name, Amen.


Sunday 13 July 2014

LIFE INVOLVES RISKS-13/7/2014

LIFE INVOLVES RISKS-13/7/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "PRAYERS MAKE THINGS HAPPEN”. Today's message is titled "LIFE INVOLVES RISKS" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise James 4:14 : "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." Today's reading was taken from   James 4:13-16  and the Bible reading in one year is Deuteronomy 7:1 to Deuteronomy 9:12 (Adeboye, 2014).


Quoted below is today's message for your input

"When God calls you, it sometimes might appear like a demotion. This was my experience. When God called me into full-time ministry, I struggled with it because I had experienced poverty from childhood which I thought I had finally been delivered from when I became a university lecturer. I received the call of God when the church was in a humble state financially. I recall the day a young man gave me a 50 kobo note; I received it and blessed him. I told him I would spend the money on myself so that my heartfelt blessing will have an impact on him. That night, I thought over it and wept. I ruminated on how I went from being the Head of the Mathematics Department of a University to being a full-timer who receives a 50 kobo gift. God is the one that specialises in taking a man from down below and lifts him up. Those who see how far the Lord has taken me and are unhappy about it have need of Gods mercy. Is God calling you into full-time ministry? Is the Lord asking for more of your involvement in the things of His Kingdom at the expense of personal and family plans? Fear not! He is a better planner than you and what He has in store for His faithful ones will definitely beat your imagination.

Life is full of risks and virtually everything we do in life involves one form of risk or the other, however, Gods call is a risk of life worth taking. Marriage involves risk because some people get married to spouses who fast-track their death. Staying single also is risky because the inability to perpetually remain chaste may make the fellow end up in hell. Staying hungry has its risks while eating food also involves risk. Some people who were not sick died while eating or while trying to swallow food. If you are asked to come and work with the richest man in the world who also has a reputation of uncommon generosity, many would jump without even asking God about it. Yet, even that involves a measure of risk. Some may take up that job and trigger their worst nightmares. When God calls you, there is an element of risk involved but it is the safest, surest and best risk you can ever take. If He calls you into full-time ministry, it means He is ready to take you up as His pet project".

The Key Point is: Placing your life and total cares in Gods hands is a risk worth taking.

God bless you all. wishing you the fullness of His presence in Church today in Jeuss Name, Amen

Saturday 12 July 2014

PRAYERS MAKE THINGS HAPPEN- 12/7/2014

PRAYERS MAKE THINGS HAPPEN- 12/7/2014 

Yesterday's message was titled "LIVING ABOVE THE FLESH”. Today's message is titled "PRAYERS MAKE THINGS HAPPEN" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Romans 8:28 : "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." Today's reading was taken from   Acts 9:1-11  and the Bible reading in one year is Deuteronomy 4:32 to Deuteronomy 6:25 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for our usual discussion


And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
Acts 9:11
After a frontline persecutor of the church was arrested on his mission to further torment Gods people, he became blind and was led by those on his entourage into Damascus. He immediately went on an indefinite fast and began to pray. After three days, God had to respond to his prayer. From this story, let us examine some things made possible by prayer. The first thing to note here is that when you pray on earth, things begin to happen in Heaven and on earth. If you want heavenly activities to favour you, pray. If you want events and people on earth to work in your favour, pray.

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
There is no better time for this scripture to be fulfilled in your life or circumstance than when you engage in wholehearted, fervent and not-taking-No-for-an-answer prayer. If you are called of God and believe you love Him but fail to pray, never expect all things to work for your good. If you have such expectations, they will not be realised because you have not fulfilled the requirement of scriptures (Isaiah 28:10). No matter how bad the situation is, when you pray, things happen. Things were bad for Saul. He had lost his mission, vision and sight. The one who was leading others became the one who earnestly required to be helped. He had been thrown into confusion. Then he prayed and things began to happen. If things could happen for a chronic persecutor like Saul, things will happen for you as you pray. Beloved, no matter how bad things may be, if only you can make your ways right with God and pray, activities in Heaven and on earth will work in your favour."

The Prayer Point. Father, let all situations, circumstances and events begin to work in my favour from now on.

God bless you all for your input. Have a fruitful weekend


Thursday 10 July 2014

LIVING ABOVE THE FLESH- 11/07/2014

LIVING ABOVE THE FLESH- 11/07/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "SATAN INTIMIDATES”. Today's message is titled "LIVING ABOVE THE FLESH" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Romans 6:12 : "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." Today's reading was taken from  Romans 6:12-18  and the Bible reading in one year is Deuteronomy 2:26 to Deuteronomy 4:31 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input

"When the fire fell on Mount Carmel, it consumed even the dust beneath and around the altar (1 Kings 18:38). Dust stands for the flesh. God in Genesis 3:19 said this to Adam:
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
When you build a new altar to God, the grace to overcome the lust of the flesh will be released. One major enemy every child of God has to live above daily is the flesh. Years after coming to the Lord, many still remain defeated by their flesh  they are ensnared by their desires and passions. Romans 6:12-14 says you should not let sin reign over you because you are now operating under grace. The flesh comes with its powerful attractions but it is only when you cooperate with it that you fall into sin. Stop yielding to sin! When it pulls you, resist it. Each time you resist temptation, there is a reward. However, the secret of permanent victory lies in building a new altar to God. Have you been struggling with your flesh? Receive your deliverance now in Jesus Name!

Another benefit of building a new altar to God is that soul winning becomes a stress free activity. After Elijah built a new altar to the Most High God, the children of Israel saw Gods signs and wonders and they returned to God in droves. With a new altar, multitudes can be won to the Lord. With a new altar, backsliders can be restored to the fold. This then tells us that there is a relationship between the altar operating in the life of the soul winner and the scope of results obtainable from soul winning. If you want to win more souls for the Lord, souls with unshakable foundations, examine the altar that presently exists in your life and do something about it. One good thing about life is that as long as you are alive, you can do something about almost everything in your life to give you a better ending. Arise and work on that altar today!"

The Prayer Point  is, Ask God for grace to live above the flesh daily.

Thanks and God bless you all for your contribution



SATAN INTIMIDATES- 10/7/2014

SATAN INTIMIDATES- 10/7/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD”. Today's message is titled "SATAN INTIMIDATES" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Proverbs 28:1 : "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.". Today's reading was taken from  1 Samuel 17:24-25  and the Bible reading in one year is Deuteronomy 1:1 to Deuteronomy 2:25 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input

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

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

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

As we pray the prayer point above with the whole of our heart this morning, I want us also to resist every satanic harassment over Nigeria. I pray that every effort of the devil to colonize our Nation shall fail completely and the fire of God will destroy every weapon of their warfare in Jesus Mighty Name, amen.

Wednesday 9 July 2014

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD-9/7/2014

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD-9/7/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "CURSED BLESSING”. Today's message is titled "NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Ezekiel 36:25 : "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you". Today's reading was taken from  Psalm 40:1-2 and the Bible reading in one year is Numbers 34-36 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input

"Before you are saved, you are first drawn by God. It can be through a message, some miraculous act or even a divine visitation. God has been searching for you from the day of your birth but you may have ignored Him for too long. He may have used your friends, relatives and different media to reach out to you, but His message may have fallen on deaf ears. It is time to accept Him today so that all may be well with you.

After drawing you, the next thing God does is to cleanse you. This is what is commonly called salvation. He said in Ezekiel 36:25 that:
“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.”
Why does He need to cleanse you? Why not accept you the way He found you? It is because God is a holy God. He is perfectly clean. Because God is light, He does not have even the slightest dot of darkness. If the President of your nation wants to invite a poor, wretched, dirty and unkempt beggar who lives on the streets to dine with him, the beggar must first be washed, shaved and dressed in presentable clothes.

Psalm 40:2 says every sinner lives in a horrible pit. Every sinner is stained with sin. We cannot with our physical eyes determine how clean or dirty a person is inwardly. You may be adjudged the neatest and best dressed physically, but be noted as the dirtiest sinner before God. No personal claim to being saved can make you saved except God cleanses you. Sin is such a tough and permanent stain that it takes only the blood of Jesus to wipe it off – nothing else! No sacrifice, no penance, no amount of scriptural recitations can erase sin. If the beggar picked on the streets says he is clean, does that make him clean? Any sin that God has not cleansed with the blood of Jesus is retained to condemn the one who committed it for all eternity. Are you claiming to be born-again when you are still living in sin? You are engaged in self-deception and endangering your life. No religion or philanthropy can erase a single sin from you. Accept God’s offer of salvation now and let Him cleanse you. Acknowledge your sinful life, confess your sins to God and ask Him to cleanse you with His blood today. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord."

The Key Point is Any claim of forgiveness of sin that is not attained through the blood of Jesus is fake.

Thank you all and God bless you richly for your contribution to today's discussion

Tuesday 8 July 2014

CURSED BLESSING-8/7/2014

CURSED BLESSING-8/7/2014

Yesterday's message was titled "HUMBLE YOURSELF!”. Today's message is titled "CURSED BLESSING" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise Hosea 4:17 : Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. Today's reading was taken from  Hosea 5:8-15 and the Bible reading in one year is Numbers 32-33 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input

"I have had the opportunity of being close to some extremely wealthy people, and I must confess that not all wealthy people are happy people. Some are wealthy but sad; some others are wealthy but sick. I once had a friend who has since passed on. He had several bank accounts in England, America and Switzerland. When he died, he had $68 million in his Australian bank account, yet, before he died, he could only drink milk. Of what use is money that is available but cannot be spent on its owner? What is the use of being called a millionaire if you cannot enjoy what ordinary people take for granted? If you see the doctors prohibited food list given to some sick, wealthy people, you will thank God that you are not rich. Are you in such a situation? The Lord will reach out to you today and heal you of your ailments in Jesus Name.

On the other hand, good success can take several forms. It could be prosperity without adversity. Proverbs 10:22 says,
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Although God does not attach sorrow to His blessings, your attitude towards God after the blessing will determine whether the blessing will remain a blessing or whether it will attract adversity. Your attitude could even make the blessing become a curse. Take for instance when God was to bless Ephraim and Manasseh; the former being the younger got the double portion blessing that was meant for his elder brother (Genesis 48:19). Within some years, Ephraim became ten times more prosperous than his elder brother (Deuteronomy 33:17). But eventually, when he ignored God, the Lord reversed his blessing by saying that he would be desolate (Hosea 4:17 & 5:9). May your blessing not become a curse! You must watch your attitude after the blessing! Many people who were humble before becoming wealthy, suddenly become cocky, heady, uncontrollable and begin to rub shoulders with God after they are blessed. Some others become very hostile and vindictive, taking their newly found wealth as an opportunity to get back at those who offended them in time past. When you veer off Gods purpose for blessing you, you attract sorrow into your blessing. What is your situation today?"

The Prayer Point  is Father, in any way I am attracting curses into my blessings, please forgive me and help me to right my wrongs.

Father, in any way I am attracting curses into my blessings, please forgive me and help me to right my wrongs... Amen I also pray the same prayer for every reader of this forum. May our blessings forever be without curse in Jesus Name, amen

Monday 7 July 2014

HUMBLE YOURSELF!- 7/7/1014

HUMBLE YOURSELF!- 7/7/1014

Yesterday's message was titled "PRAYER ATTRACTS AUTHORITY”. Today's message is titled "HUMBLE YOURSELF!" as provided by Pastor E. A. Adeboye in Open Heavens Devotional (Adeboye, 2014). In today’s message, we have been asked to memorise  James 4:10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.". Today's reading was taken from Philippians 2:5-11 and the Bible reading in one year is Numbers 30-31 (Adeboye, 2014).

Quoted below is today's message for your input

"Often times, people who receive a call from God feel the call is to demote, humiliate or reduce them. Although this is not true, on the surface, it may look that way. In Philippians 2:5-11, when Jesus received a divine call, He had to descend from being God to becoming a man. He became a servant who was totally sold out to His Fathers will. In the school of disciples of the ministry I oversee, we learn that Jesus Christ took seven steps downwards before God raised Him seven steps upwards. As far as God is concerned, the way up first and foremost is the way down. If you want to go up, you must first be ready to go down. No matter how high you are when you receive Gods call, if you are not prepared to go down, you are not yet ready for divine promotion.

    “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:10
God expects you to humble yourself. It is not something somebody else will do for you. If you fail to do this, and if God truly loves you, He may have to do it for you. When He decides to do what you were meant to do, it may be tougher; so simply follow the easy way by doing it yourself. Beloved, humble yourself! Each time you humble yourself, you create space above you for God to fill. He does not need you to tell Him how to lift you up. He knows exactly what to do because He has already figured it out even before you were born. Just do your part. How? Give up your high looks and accept His opinion of you. Have a change of focus. Drop that bloated view of yourself and accept what He says you are. Stop seeing yourself as being better than your brother because of the comparative advantage your educational qualification or official position has given you over him. Be ready to accept any assignment. In fact, be prepared to take assignments that appear mean, belittling and ridiculous in comparison with what you think you are capable of. Esteem others better than yourself  that is, focus on the strengths of others and amplify them in your mind. Be ready to give up anything for Jesus."

The Action point is to Pick out five people that are not as privileged as you. Take time to study them, identify the virtues in them, meet them and commend them for those virtues.

Dear brothers and sisters, I sincerely apologize for my inability to update this blog for the past few days. I thank you all for your prayers and can assure you that I am back now. More than ever, please continue to pray for me. Together, we shall build up the Kingdom of God and defeat the works of the enemy in Jesus Name, amen

One of the prophecies for 2014 says that "The equation at the beginning of the year will be different from equation at the year end. Therefore, don’t jump into conclusion" Today is 7/7/2014 -  7 is a number of perfection. I pray that I we continue our journey through the second half of the year, God will perfect everything that concerns us and if anything is going to change in that equation, only the negative things will change to positive and the good things will will become better in Jesus Name, Amen

Saturday 5 July 2014

PRAYER ATTRACTS AUTHORITY- 6/7/2014

PRAYER ATTRACTS AUTHORITY- 6/7/2014

Memorise: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:29

Read: Acts 4:23-31


Besides providing an avenue for you to report everything that threatens your peace and joy, prayer brings the fullness of the Spirit. We see this demonstrated in Acts 4:31:
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
The Holy Spirit is ever near those who call upon God in truth, while He is distant from those who call upon Him in pretence or who hardly pray. In James 4:8, we are enjoined to draw near to God. How? One way to do this is by praying. When you pray, you provoke the Holy Spirit to come closer to help you. If you fail to pray, you keep Him at bay. If you pray intensely and effectively enough, He will descend upon you and even those around you. In Acts 2:1-4, one hundred and twenty believers were together praying in the upper room when the Holy Spirit descended during the feast of Pentecost and they were all baptized with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 4:23-33, in the face of serious threats from the authorities, the church council members prayed and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. If you can pray, the Holy Spirit will come to fill the space within you and you will be full of the Spirit. You can be filled with the Holy Spirit as often as you require Him to fill you. If you are always full of the Spirit, you will be empowered to live the life of the Spirit.

Prayer also brings boldness to declare Gods Word. There is a link connecting these variables: prayer, the word and boldness. If you tarry in the place of prayer, when you declare the word, it will be done with authority. This was one feature that was commonly seen in the ministry of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:28-29). How do you teach or preach today? If it is plastic, powerless and void of the backing of the Spirit, you are teaching like the scribes and not like Jesus. Prayer makes the difference in the ministry of the word. The one who preaches or teaches with conviction has obviously paid the price in the place of prayer. How prayerful are you? How impactful are you? If you are still shy to preach salvation to sinners, it is most likely you are not praying enough. Pray without ceasing from today!

Action Point:
Father, from today, let your words that I speak be backed up with your power.