For His Own Pleasure - Friday 2, December 2016

For His Own Pleasure - Friday 2, December 2016

Memorise: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. – Revelation 4:11

Read: 1 Peter 2:9-11 (KJV)

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Bible in One Year: Exodus 12:43-14:31, Psalms 114

MESSAGE:

Bible records show that God is not passive about His creation; He is dynamically involved in everything that happens in the universe. His interest and involvement can be seen in the history of Israel and in the ministry of Jesus Christ. In the present age, God’s activities and operations can be seen in the lives of believers and the Church. The Bible projected this in Colossians 1:16;

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

Revelation 4:11 further states that all things were created for God’s pleasure. In Moses’ story, God divinely chose the burning bush, after looking through all the available bushes around, He found pleasure in that particular one and decided to use it, just as He decided to locate the Redemption Camp on its present site. If I had been given the privilege to determine the location of our camp ground, it would never have been in its present location. I would have preferred a location much closer to Lagos. For those believers who obtained their spouses from God, if asked to make that choice personally, they most likely would have chosen someone else and would have missed God’s divine direction. Has the Lord chosen for you on any matter? Appreciate Him for His choice and go with that choice.

God is very much in the business of directing human affairs, and your choice in any matter can never produce a better result than His. God’s choice may not look like the best when human reasoning is applied. Whenever God chooses somebody for an assignment, it does not necessarily mean the fellow is the most qualified. In fact, usually, God chooses the least qualified so that flesh will not rob Him of His glory. However, when it pleases God to choose someone for a purpose, several activities begin to follow in quick succession, just as the choice of the burning bush culminated in the death of many Egyptians and the release of the children of Israel from slavery. Because the Lord has chosen you to be an heir to His heritage, He will cause all things to work in your favour to the fulfilment of your destiny in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point: Father, please let Your mercy and favour locate me today in Jesus’ name.

His Ears Are Not Dull - Thursday 1, December 2016

His Ears Are Not Dull - Thursday 1, December 2016

Memorise: Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. – Job 14:15

Read: Isaiah 59:1-3 (KJV)

1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 10:21-12:42, Psalms 113

MESSAGE:

Alienation or banishment is a form of punishment in which a guilty person is expelled from a region and forbidden to return. Alienation is commonly used by God in the Bible to cut off sinners from His presence. A good example is the banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden as a result of their disobedience to God. I pray that you will never do anything that will cause God to cut you off from His Presence in Jesus’ name. Isaiah 59:1-2 says:

“1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Christians today are daily challenging God by constantly indulging in acts that are clearly recorded as reasons for alienation in the Bible. For example, some people intentionally dress scantily on the street. Can you imagine somebody purchasing a nice pair of trousers, and deliberately using a blade to rip it to shreds before certifying it ‘fit’ to wear? If you cannot clearly spell out what passes as decent Christian dressing for yourself and your household, then you are the one to be held responsible for the loose behaviour and excesses of your family members. This is tantamount to an open invitation to alienation or banishment from the Presence of God, which explains why some Christians suffer unexplained attacks from the devil. The Presence of God departs from such Christians, making them an easy target in the hands of the devil and his agents. May the Lord deliver every child of God in this category today in the Name of Jesus.

Indeed, the Lord’s Hands are not shortened, neither are His ears heavy that He cannot hear our cry for help. Sin is always responsible for alienation from God. In what ways has your weakness, carelessness, and nonchalant attitude contributed to sin and immorality in your family or the Church of God? Repent and make amends today before it is too late.

Prayer Point: Father, please help me to commit myself to a life of holiness and righteousness in Jesus’ name.

Fearless Messenger - Tuesday 29, November 2016

Fearless Messenger - Tuesday 29, November 2016

Memorise: Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. – Jeremiah 1:8

Read: Jeremiah 1:4-10 (KJV)

4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 6:14-8:32, Psalms 110-111

MESSAGE:

There are different ways by which God can send His word to His people. The Word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah telling him to fear not the faces of the people He was sending him to because the message He had given him would not be a pleasant message for them. Same was the account of Jonah when he was given a message to the people of Nineveh. The message of God to His children is always in various forms. It contains doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). It is always difficult for man to be confronted with his errors and wicked ways, and this was the assignment that God gave Prophet Jeremiah. How I wish there are many prophet Jeremiahs in our land, there would be more revival in our land. Prophets like Jeremiah who will call a spade a spade and not water down the Word of God because of the faces of the people. You cannot entangle yourself with the affairs of this world and still deliver the message of God without bias. There are many men of God who are afraid of the people God is sending them to. The God we serve has not given us the spirit of fear but of boldness and soundness of mind.

You have to be fearless in preaching the Word of God. You must be instant in season and out of season. We live in a time when people do not want to listen to the absolute truth of God’s Word. People are very selective about the kind of messages they listen to. Do you receive the Word with gladness each time the Word points you to the cross? 2 Timothy 4:3 says:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”

God wanted Jeremiah to warn the people about the punishment to come if they would not repent from their ways of wickedness. God told Jeremiah to inform those who were proud and wicked, that the rod of affliction was coming on them. The essence of this message to the people was for them to purge themselves from unrighteousness. Each time the Word of God comes to you, it is an opportunity to amend your ways before it is too late. God wants you to be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for His use so that you can be prepared for every good work.

Whatever assignment God has given to you, do not be afraid. You will meet with many oppositions and enemies but you can be sure God is by your side. They may look big, but they are not bigger than the One who has sent you. God will always deliver you out of the hand of persecutors. He will not only stand by you as you deliver the Word, He will deliver you from every trouble in the course of the assignment. When God sends you a message, He also backs you with His power. They may not like your face, but you can be sure that once you have declared the counsel of God to them, at the point of judgment; you will not be responsible for their blood.

Key Point: If God be for you who can be against you?

A Faithful Steward? - Monday 28, November 2016

A Faithful Steward? - Monday 28, November 2016

Memorise: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. – 1 Corinthians 4:2

Read: Luke 16:1-8 (KJV)

1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 4:1-6:13-3, Psalms 109:21-31

MESSAGE:

Faithfulness is another obligation that God requires of us as human beings and particularly as His children. God is faithful and He wants us to resemble Him with this attribute of faithfulness. In our text today, we read about a steward who was found unfaithful and the master was about to sack him, this unfaithful servant then went about from one debtor to another to falsify records in order to please his master. The efforts this steward put up to regain his master’s approval did nothing for the expansion of his master’s business, but the master still commended him. If the unfaithful servant could go to the extent he went in order to remain in service, why can’t the children of light go a greater extent to please our Father in heaven? The conclusion of our Bible reading says:

“And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely; for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” - Luke 16:8

Another lesson we can learn from this story is that your upward movement to the next level is predicated upon how well you perform in your present level of operation. Luke 16:11-12 says:

“11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?”

Beloved, the Lord is interested in promoting you. As a matter of fact, your promotion is long overdue. I am happy to announce to you that this is your time, however, what are you doing with your present level of position? Are you productive or you are hoarding your ideas so that you can have something to use when you come to a leadership position? You are just destroying and delaying your progress if this is your attitude. To be faithful simply means to be full of faith. Do you have faith in the organisation you are working with? You will not be at your best if you don’t have faith in that organisation you work with? Proverbs 22:29 says:

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

Daniel was a typical faithful steward. This is how he survived four generations of rulers – Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Cyrus and Belshazzar. The faithfulness of Mordecai saved the entire Jewish race during the reign of Ahasuerus. My prayer is that you will be highly favoured by the virtue of your faithfulness in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point: Father, I want to be faithful, please take away from me the spirit of unfaithfulness in Jesus’ name.

A Liberal Heart? - Sunday 27, November 2016

A Liberal Heart? - Sunday 27, November 2016

Memorise: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. – Luke 6:38

Read: Proverbs 11:25 (KJV)

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Bible in One Year: Exodus 1-3, Psalms 109:1-20

MESSAGE:

When it comes to giving, the truth of the matter is that what you give may leave your hand but it never leaves your life. It is to our own advantage to meet the needs of others around us. When you meet the needs of the Almighty God, He will in turn meet your needs. The truth is that God is the only one who doesn’t have a need. Whenever He tells you He has a need, it is only a strategy by Him to set you up for a miracle. Every child of God should have a liberal heart. You must be very generous in giving as you have been blessed by the Almighty God. When you sow into the lives of others, your soul shall be made fat with pleasure from God and will also be enriched with more grace. It is those who give more that receive more from God. In 1 Kings 17:8-16, God asked the widow to feed the prophet before taking care of herself. At the end of the day, what was not enough became more than enough. To what extent do you practice giving as an individual, family, church or nation?

Those who never give will continue to beg. If you desire to relocate from the side of begging to the side of giving, you have to become liberal. Everyone who would be a partner of Jesus Christ must learn to be a giver. There is nothing you give to God that the Almighty God will not reward you with much more. One thing the Lord makes very clear is that the harvest will always exceed the seed that was harvested. Harvests do not just come, they are planned for. You have to load the sky before it brings forth rain. There are people who are always waiting for the blessing of God when they have not done anything for God. You sow nothing, you reap nothing. Hence, famine is guaranteed for those who fail to sow.

You must never be tired of giving because the reward for your giving will never miss you. Solomon was a typical example of someone who was an ardent giver. No wonder God prospered him. God gave him more than he ever demanded. Some people believe that since they don’t earn much, it is not appropriate to sow; unfortunately, this is why such people remain low income earners. The widow of Zarephath had only one seed, yet she was wise enough to know the appropriate soil to sow the seed. Whenever you have the opportunity to sow, don’t just sow, you have to combine knowledge with the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit so that your seed will not be sown where it cannot be harvested.

There are rewards for the art of giving. The one who gives freely will be taken care of by God. The one who finds it difficult to give will also find it difficult to receive.

Key Point: Your life isn’t meaningful until you answer to the needs of others.

Hearing from God - Saturday 26, November 2016

Hearing from God - Saturday 26, November 2016

Memorise: Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: – Hebrews 3:8

Read: Hebrews 1:1-3 (KJV)

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Bible in One Year: Genesis 48-50, Psalms 108

MESSAGE:

One of the illustrations of the Trinity says; God is the Father in Majesty, Jesus is the son in Suffering while the Holy Spirit is the Spirit in Striving. Jesus is the Word of God that became flesh among men. He is the one that the Father appointed over all the things He created. In time past, there were different ways that God used to reveal Himself to humanity. He spoke through dreams, or through supernatural happenings. In the present age, the Father communicates to us through His son Jesus Christ. Everyone that seeks for the Father will find Him only through the Son. Jesus is the only way through which men can be saved. Everything that God has can be inherited only through the Son. There is no way we can deeply understand the character and nature of God if not revealed through the Son. Through the son, we know how powerful the Father is. Through the son, we know how more than enough the Father is. Through the son we understand how loving and faithful the Father is. The Glory of the Father is radiated to the world through the Son. It is through the omnipotent Word that the universe is being held together. It is through the atoning work of Jesus on the Cross that our sins are purged away.

We have stories of people in the Bible who refused to acknowledge the supremacy of God in their lives. They refused to retain God in their hearts even though they daily enjoyed His works. Because they refused to put God in their hearts, they suffered a lot in the hands of their enemies. They were warned from time to time by prophets of God until they were condemned to captivity. This will never be your portion in Jesus’ name. This is why you must make up your mind for Jesus.

There are people who do not want to hear anything about Jesus. Such people in the times of trouble will have nowhere to hide. If you don’t honour His Word in your life, He will never bring you to the place of honour. The moment someone refuses to open up his or her heart to Jesus, the devil will take over such a life. The children of Israel refused to hearken to the will of God and the Lord chastised them by allowing their enemies to take them to captivity. When you allow the Word of God in your life, it will transform you into the image of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 says:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

One of the ways to harden ones heart is to refuse to accept and obey the will of God, when one’s emotions and intellect isn’t under the control of the Almighty God. Those who do not accept the Word of God in their lives will always provoke God to rise in judgment against them.

If the judgment of God comes upon an individual, he may be left to wander in the wilderness of life. Accepting Jesus is accepting the Word of God into your life. It is finding rest for your soul.

Prayer Point: Father, help me not to harden my heart to your Word.

God’s Kind of Love - Friday 25, November 2016

God’s Kind of Love - Friday 25, November 2016

Memorise: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13

Read: John 15:7-13 (KJV)

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 46-47, Psalms 107:33-43

MESSAGE:

God is love; He dwells in love; He acts in love; He judges in love. Everything around God is love. In our text for the day, we are confronted with God’s kind of love demonstrated through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ affirms the quality of God’s kind of love that He represents when he said:

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” - John 15:13

Now, as beneficiaries of this great love, we are obliged to show this kind of love to our Maker and more importantly to our neighbours.

It is wisdom for us to love the One who loves us at least for two reasons. One; when we love someone that loves us, he keeps on loving us the more. Secondly, the love that is not reciprocated will grow sour. Even God stops loving those who do not return His love. Proverbs 8:17 says:

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”

How can we love a God that we do not see? We can, by loving our neighbours, Matthew 25:35, 37, 40 says:

“35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

John the beloved apostle went further to teach us how to love our God in practical terms 1 John 4:19-21:

“19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

May the good Lord give us the grace to show our love to Him through our neighbours.

Prayer Point: Father, give me your own kind of love. I want to live for you and Your Church.

Deliverance Made Simple - Thursday 24, November 2016

Deliverance Made Simple - Thursday 24, November 2016

Memorise: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. – John 8:32

Read: John 8:31-36 (KJV)

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 44-45, Psalms 107:23-32

MESSAGE:

Deliverance constitutes a serious challenge in many Christian circles. In my personal experience, I have discovered that demons bow out easily wherever there is the manifest presence of the Lord. Wherever God is, there is an aura that is unmistakably evident; that aura is the Glory of His presence. For most people who have had a definite experience with God, it is only the glory of God that they could access. Only very few like Moses could go a little further.

The truth remains that the presence of God wields the same power as the Personality of God because where God’s presence is, God Himself is. Several things are possible in His presence, one of which is that idols and the powers behind them not only bow but also surrender. A classic example of this is demonstrated in 1 Samuel 5:1-5. In this account, the nation of Israel fought the Philistines and God gave them into the hands of their enemies because of their disobedience, the Ark of the Covenant was captured and taken into the house of Dagon – the national deity of the Philistines. This Dagon was a huge image, but it fell down before the Ark of the Covenant which represented the Presence of God. Initially, the priests of Dagon thought it was a mistake and put the image back up. But by the following morning, they were convinced beyond reasonable doubts that their idol was bowing to the God of gods.

Some Christians are afraid of entering into a shrine to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It only shows that they do not know what they have inside of them. If you know who you are carrying, there will be no need to fear any idol. If you truly carry the Glory of God and you step into a shrine, they will immediately fish you out and would be uncomfortable until you leave. If you don’t leave, a lot of things will go wrong. In a local community where women were forbidden to go out during a particular idol festival and men were equally harassed, a brother went to the headquarters of the idol worshipers at the peak of their festival to preach Jesus to them. These idols worshippers knew that it could only mean the brother carried a dangerous power for him to have the boldness to walk into their midst. Are you being threatened with some idol and you are afraid? If you are truly a child of God, you should be feared and not the other way round. Are you confronted with a demon possessed person that needs deliverance? Ask God to increase His presence in your life today and you will become a threat to demons.

Prayer Point: Father, make me bold enough to preach the gospel even before demons in Jesus’ name.

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Saturday 15 June 2013 LIBERTY TO SIN? By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Saturday 15 June 2013 

LIBERTY TO SIN? 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: “For brethren, we have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh but by love, serve one another” Galatians 5:3

Read: Galatians 5: 13-15

Bible in one year:  Exodus 18-20

Key point: Satan knows when to send a few of his army to capture a believer. Do you know when to resist individually and when to seek the support of others in resisting the devil?

Operating in the supernatural will naturally attract certain challenges. You cannot serve and please God and Satan at the same time. Any time you please God, you displease the devil. It is impossible for you to operate in the supernatural without attracting the anger or fury of the kingdom of darkness. After Elijah brought down fire from Heaven and killed all the 450 prophets of Baal, their grand matron — Queen Jezebel resolved to kill him within 24 hours. The more you operate in the supernatural, the greater the attack from the enemy. When a king wanted to arrest Elijah he sent three batches of soldiers and their captains in quick succession, but when Elisha who had a double portion of Elijah’s Spirit, was to be arrested, a whole army platoon was sent. Are you facing a band of soldiers or a whole army because of your faithfulness in serving God? The Lord will deliver you. 

Some people are still putting their trust in the arm of flesh as regards security. Such are only awaiting disappointment. How much can you pay a security guard for him to die for you? Be connected with the supernatural of God today! When you begin to operate in the supernatural, try and guard against these three things: indiscipline, pride and immorality. Indiscipline is rife in Pentecostal circles. We think that because we speak in tongues we can take liberty as license to live without control. If you study the life of Samson, you will realise that without discipline, you cannot go far in the things of the Kingdom. Some younger ministers serving under senior ministers have suddenly heard from God and have become general overseers so that nobody can oversee them or call them to order. When some leaders are transferred by their superiors, they will tell you they want to go and pray. Some workers and ministers will be transferred to a new parish and they will say because God has not spoken to them about the transfer, they will not go. They believe they are right, not knowing they are simply living in disobedience. Also, watch against pride. Never get to the point where no one can talk to you again. Lastly, watch against immorality.

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 14 June 2013 WHEN HE VISITS By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 14 June 2013 

WHEN HE VISITS 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: “Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob.” Psalm 114:7

Read: Psalm 114:1-8

Bible in one year:  Exodus 14-17

Prayer point: Father, you have visited many and their lives changed. Visit me today and let my life change for good.

Divine encounters come in different ways but one of the most outstanding forms is when God decides to pay you a visit by Himself. Wherever the King goes, doors open to Him. Psalm 24:7 says, 

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.”

 Whenever the King of kings wants to come on a visit to His • own, He comes in without knocking on the door because He is the DOOR. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the disciples were assembled in a room one day. With the doors shut, Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst without knocking or passing through the door. Being the original Door, He does not need the permission of any door to give Him passage. Doors — not some but all open unto Him of their own volition. This is why you need God’s personal visitation. When He comes to you, all the doors of progress, success, growth, opportunities, enlargement, promotion etc. that have refused to open to you, will be compelled to open to Him and in the process, they will remain open to you. This season, all good doors that are shut against you shall open to you in Jesus name. 

In Acts 12:5-11, when the angel was delivering Peter, he did not need a key to open the door. When Peter rose and followed the angel, the door that had opened to the angel remained open to Peter also. When the door of the Red sea opened, the children of Israel walked through dry ground in the midst of the sea. But how did the sea part? Psalm 114:3 says when the Red sea saw the Almighty God coming, it grew legs and fled; that was how the children of Israel were able to have a thoroughfare in the sea. Doors cannot remain permanently shut to you. In fact, they have no choice if they cannot open because it is you, they will be forced to willingly open because of your divine Visitor. Cry out to God for Him to personally visit you. When He visits you this season, everything will tremble.

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Thursday 13 June 2013 FOLLOWING FASHION OR CHRIST? By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Thursday 13 June 2013 

FOLLOWING FASHION OR CHRIST? 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise:  “And the world passeth away; and the lust thereof: but he that doet the will of God abideth forever” 1John 2:17

Read: 1John 2: 15-17

Bible in one year:  Numbers 1-3

Key point: The race after worldly fashion and the race to heaven are two distinct races leading to separate destinations. You must choose which one to run.

How you are dressed determines how you are received or treated. Your dressing is a part of your identity. How you dress equally affects your Kingdom walk. In 2 Kings 1:1-8, when the king was sick, he sent some people to enquire if he would recover or die. They met Elijah who told them that it was a sickness unto death. In order to verify the authenticity of that prophecy, the king asked for the name of the prophet but they could not tell because he did not disclose his name. But by the time they described the type of clothes he wore, the king immediately knew it was Elijah. Does your dressing portray you as a child of God? If you as a minister of God were to dress in regular clothes and not priestly robe or cassock, would your dressing showcase you as a servant of the Most High God? If you compare what John the Baptist wore in Matthew 3:1-4 with what Elijah wore, you would find some resemblance. Who do you resemble when you dress? How is your hairdo? What of your beard? How do you adorn yourself with jewelry — moderate or loud? What kind of dresses do you put on?

When Moses fled from Egypt to Midian after killing one of the Egyptians, he met the daughters of the priest of Midian and helped them. When they got home earlier than usual, their father asked why they were back home so soon. They said it was because they received protection and help from an Egyptian (Exodus 2:15-20). He was taken for an Egyptian because he dressed like one If you dress like the world, what follows worldly attires will equally follow you Worldly fashion is controlled by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life according to 1 John 2 16 Don’t be surprised to see pride and worldly lust gaining ground in your life if you are given to worldly fashion. If you are obsessed with the latest fashion and style, rather than running the heavenly race you were called into, you will find yourself running a race that God did not call you to The unfortunate thing about this is that those who are given to worldly fashion share a common destiny with what they are given to Are you following fashion or Christ?

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Wednesday 12 June 2013 THE WORD AS A SPY AGENT By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Wednesday 12 June 2013 

THE WORD AS A SPY AGENT 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” 1Corinthians 2:10

Read: 1Corinthians 2:9-11

Bible in one year:  Hebrews 11-13

Prayer point: It takes you being under God’s authority to operate by His authority

One weapon available to us as soldiers ¡n God’s army which is honoured in Heaven, on earth and beneath the earth, and a weapon that can never fail us is the name of Jesus. Another weapon we must always use is the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Whenever God’s word is correctly applied to a given situation, the Holy Spirit skillfully uses the sword to deliver victory in that situation. Hebrews 4:12 says, 

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart’

The word of God is spirit and alive. It is full of power, extremely sharp and operates in every plane of existence - physical, spiritual, intellectual, psychological, physiological, financial, biological, etc. It is not limited by time and space, so it can be sent to address a problem in the past or create a good outcome in the future. The word of God can affect the tripartite constituents of man — spirit, soul and body. The word discerns the thoughts and plans of the human heart just like the Holy Spirit searches Out the thoughts and plans in God’s heart (1Corinthians 2:9-1 1). If you are conversant with the word by learning it, memorising it, meditating on it, preaching it to win souls regularly and obeying it, whenever you apply it to a situation, it will surely give you results. In fact when you preach it, it will search the hearts of your hearers and give you feedback. This is why at some point, you will be speaking out their hearts and they will think somebody who knows them has gone to tell you about them. Nobody told you. It is just the word in action! Never joke with the Bible! It is more than a literature book. It is more than just the world’s bestselling book. It is not just men’s words but was scripted by the Holy Spirit. The word written by the Spirit is made spirit whenever the Holy Spirit takes it over. Draw closer to the word of God so that you can be more victorious.

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Tuesday11 June 2013 KNOCK By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Tuesday11 June 2013 

KNOCK 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Mathew 7:7

Read: Matthew 7:7-8h

Bible in one year:  Hebrews 8-10

Prayer point: The time you seek God affects what you can get from Him. Father, from today, help me to seek You.

In John 15:1-8, Jesus Christ says He is the vine and everyone who is born-again is a branch of that tree. If you let His word abide in you, there will be no reason to worry about fruitfulness. If you are asked to stay in a house, you first need is to locate the house. If you discover you are some distance from the house, you must carefully trace it until you find it. Psalm 34:10 says,

 “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”

Children, success, promotion, good health, etc. are good things, if you seek the Lord, you won’t lack them because Hebrews 11:6 says God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

We are assured in Matthew 7:7-8 that if we seek, we shall find. It is important to find what you are seeking. Not everyone who seeks will find what he or she is seeking for.

This is why we must take Isaiah 55:6 seriously: 

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”

The seeker must seek at the right time. If the timing is wrong, you are likely not going to find Him. Proverbs 8:17 says, you must seek Him early in order to find Him. If you put God first, you will most likely find Him. Some people seek God when it is already late. It is important to seek Him first thing in the morning, before you go to work, before taking that new job, before you get married, etc. Do not be like those who procrastinate by saying they will seek God only after they have prospered or obtained their heart’s desire In addition, you must knock on the door. Matthew 7:7-8 says if you 4 knock, the door will open to you. If you knock acceptably, you will provoke the Lord to open the door to you In fact, Revelation 3:7 says He can permanently open a door to you and ensure nobody shuts it How are you knocking today2 One powerful knock with praise and worship can compel Him to open the door It could also be through giving It could be through thanksgiving Arise and knock the pearly gate today and it will be opened to you

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Monday 10 June 2013 SEEK WISDOM By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Monday 10 June 2013 

SEEK WISDOM 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: Out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” Proverbs 2:6

Read: Proverbs 2:1-7

Bible in one year:  Hebrews 5-7

Action point: Ask for wisdom that will enable you to be on top of situations and will keep you steps ahead of problems, challenges and enemies

Wisdom is very essential to our daily living. James 1:5 says,

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him”

Wisdom comes in instalments and is available to all who are ready to ask, study God’s Word and walk closer with the Spirit of God — who is the Spirit of Wisdom. How do you get wisdom? First it is by getting information 2 Timothy 2 15 says,

“Study to shew thyseff approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Proverbs 2:1-7 says you should receive God’s words and instructions because in the process, you will be wise. The time spent with God’s Word is never wasted. Another way of accessing wisdom iš by receiving revelation — this means understanding the meaning or implication of the information received. If you are driving out of town in an area you have never been before and you see a sign post on which is written: narrow bridge ahead - this is information. The revelation here is the implication of that information: that the bridge cannot take two vehicles at a time and the realization that someone else may be on the bridge before you. Wisdom then instructs you to act on that revelation by slowing down. Take for instance the woman caught in adultery in John 8:3- 11. She was arraigned before Jesus and her offence was read out - that was information. But beyond this, Jesus had a revelation from God’s Word:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23  

Thereafter, Jesus simply applied that revelation by asking anyone among her accusers who had never sinned to start stoning the woman, and one after another, they silently disappeared. That is wisdom in operation. Furthermore, God can give you wisdom through a gift of the Spirit — the word of wisdom. Every leader needs wisdom. In every sphere of life wisdom is required. How much of wisdom do you have to operate as a leader, spouse, as a parent, in your workplace or ministry? Do you spend time to access information and further move towards revelation? Do you act on the revelation received?

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 7 June 2013 BUILD UP! By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 7 June 2013 

BUILD UP! 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: “But ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost”. Jude 20

Read: Ephesians 3:20-21

Bible in one year:  Matthew 23-25

Key point: Every day, do something thet will add up to your spiritual build up, no matter how small

The Holy spirit just like the wind can move gently or massively. If you can cooperate with Him, He can do incredible things through you. This is why Ephesians 3:20 says:

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”

Whenever you ask God to do something for you or : through you, He will look inside you to know how much of His Spirit you carry. He may not do beyond what the measure of His Spirit within you can accommodate. So, if you are praying for a mighty move of God but you have a little measure of His Spirit in your life, you are praying amiss. If you want God to answer your prayer, first work on yourself by getting more and more of His presences power and grace through spending more time with the Holy Spirit; developing a better personal relationship with Him; praising, thanking and worshiping Him in spirit and in truth; feasting daily on His Word; living holy and living in total obedience to His voice, etc. Today’s memory verse points us to the fact that it is our personal responsibility to build up ourselves. It is your duty to build up your spirit man. To do this, you must increase your level of faith by hearing God’s Word and listening only to things that edify, and watching television  programmes that stir up your faith. You must keep off anything that is sinful both in words and in thoughts You must pray in tongues as long as possible daily. Lots of revelations, inner witnesses and certain knowledge can come to you through this. How are you building up your spirit man? It is like building a house one block is put on another before another block is added and they are all firmly attached each time. But as you are adding a block of obedience in worship, do not dismantle the block of witnessing or else you are building downwards not upwards. How are you building up the little fire in you? Is it still growing into a big mighty fire? 

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 31 May 2013 HE FEELS LIKE YOU DO By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 31 May 2013 

HE FEELS LIKE YOU DO 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorize: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” Hebrews 4:15

Read: Acts 9:1-6

Bible in one year:  Colossians 3-4

Prayer point: Father, grant me the full benefits of being the apple of Your eyes

If you are the apple of God’s eyes, you will be required to channel God’s love to those who are hurting. According to 1 john 4:78, this includes fellow believers; else you cannot claim to even know God. That is part of your responsibility, ¡t is an obligation. Being the apple of God’s eyes does not start and end with obligations, there are benefits, rights and privileges that accrue from this relationship with God. If somebody ¡s playing with you, the fellow can hit almost any part of your body, but not your eyes. Anyone who touches your eyes is out to provoke you. If you are the apple of God’s eyes, whoever touches you, touches God, and is playing with the Consuming Fire. 

“ In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old” Isaiah 63:9

This verse tells us that the Lord suffers whenever the apple of His eyes is suffering. He  does not just show sympathy . but He empathizes! A man and his eyes are one. If you hurt the eye of an individual, he will feel it throughout his whole body. If you feel that something is getting towards your eyes, what will you do? Even without thinking, you will not wait for ¡t to get there before you dodge or block ¡t. In Acts 9:1 -6, when Saul was heading for Damascus to touch the apples of God’s eyes, the Lord met him on the way and arrested him. God preempted Saul on that journey and asked why he was persecuting Him. Anyone touching you ¡s touching the Lord. Whatever you are going through, He is going through it with you. Hebrews 4:15 says He feels your infirmities and trials; hence He wants you to communicate with Him over any disturbing situation so that He can take it away. God stands by the apple of His eyes to any extent. Beloved, God is with vou.  He feels exactly what you feel He has a stake in shat concerns you. Being the apple of His eyes, He knows most  of what you are suffering ¡s because of His name you bear. He will uphold you. He  will stop your enemies before they : itch their evil plans against you Remember, He loves you.

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Wednesday 29 May 2013 ABRAHAM RESTITUTED By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Wednesday 29 May 2013 

ABRAHAM RESTITUTED 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: Giving no offence in any thing; that the ministry be not blamed

Read: Genesis 13:14-18

Bible in one year:  Ezekiel 46-48

Key point: If you harbor a pending restitution, your progress will be impeded

Besides restituting in the areas of robbing people, lying concerning certain issues, etc., we need to also restitute in our dealings with God. This relates to instructions He has given to us. For instance, in Genesis 12:1-3, God made some powerful promises to Abraham subject to only three conditions. He fulfilled two of the conditions and felt the third one was unnecessary. In fact, he thought people will call him names for sending away his late brother’s son from living with him. By so doing, he mixed his petrol (gas) with water and everything began to go wrong. One day, as the problem became exacerbated and was now affecting peace ¡n his home, he realised what he did and asked Lot to separate from him. In Genesis 1 3:1 4-1 8, after that restitution, God resumed with him from where he stopped some 1 3 years earlier. In other words, his refusal to obey the third condition only fixed him on the same spot for that long! Beloved, as long as there is water in your petrol (gas), you might not hear from God. Have you stopped hearing from God and it bothers you? Check your life for any pending restitution and immediately settle the issue. Have you obeyed God in certain areas but failed to do so in one or more areas? Go and restitute today so that you can begin to make progress at the rate God intended for you. If you pay your tithes and offerings and the blessings are not coming, there may be some restitution hiding somewhere which you need to make. Until his restitution, Abraham’s beautiful wife that was a source of his joy became a source of sorrow as he ran from famine. He lost his wife and could have been killed but for God’s mercy. If you are constantly getting into trouble, find out if there is a pending restitution.

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Monday 27 May 2013 SIGNS ARE LIMITED By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Monday 27 May 2013 

SIGNS ARE LIMITED 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: “For we walk by faith and not by sight2” Corinthians 5:7

Read: Matthew 7:21-23

Bible in one year:  Ezekiel 40-42

Key point: Believers who often run after miracles from place to place end up as preys of satan. Pursue Jesus and you will find Him.

Signs and Wonders are important for church growth. Yet, as great as they are, they have their limitations. A Christian ¡s called to a life of faith not a life controlled by sight. Signs and wonders are primarily meant for unbelievers while believers are expected to believe even without seeing. To Unbelievers, seeing is believing hut to his followers, Jesus says: 

“if you believe then you will see” (John 1 1 :40). 

That is pure faith! In other words,  as a believer, it ¡s your faith that will bring your expectation into reality. So, if you lack faith in God in a particular area of life, you may not see anything. Signs and wonders have their limitations hence you need to reorder your priorities in line with the reality of God’s word. For instance, it is possible to perform miracles and be unable to make it to Heaven (Matthew 7:2 1 23). Some bona fide servants of God who walked ¡n the miraculous are ¡n hell, and many more will join them because of pride. What brought Lucifer down ¡f not pride? if you cannot ask God to clothe you with humility and meekness while He is performing signs and wonders through you, then it ¡s safer to let the power go. Some anointed of God who are Operating in signs and wonders but are secretly Sinning, unfortunately believe all ¡s well because some miracles still attend their ministry. All is not well! In his backslidden state, Eli still made a prophetic declaration Concerning Hannah at Shiloh and it came to pass. But how did he end his life? If you are living in secret sin but still see miracles being  performed through you, you ought to be really scared. Such miracles can never take you to Heaven. It ¡s holiness and purity of heart that will. Moreover, the devil can perform magic. Not every prophet ¡s of God even when they claim to heal the sick and perform miracles. Some believers, ¡n their desperate search for miracles have ended up with magic. Everyone who receives magic from Satan comes under his control and manifestation whether they know it or not and whether they like it or not. Have you received something from $at1in? Return it today!.

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 24 May 2013 SURRENDER ALL By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

MAY24

Memorise: “But what things were gain to me; those I counted loss for Christ” Philippians 3:7

Read: Philippians 3:4-8

Bible in one year:  Ezekiel 31-33

Key point: The simplest way to get everything God can offer you is by offering him everything you have including your will.

Dedication is sustaining your effort on an increasing level over a given assignment, until it is done. On the other hand consecration is to surrender all-to put in all it takes — prayer, energy, talents, connections and everything. It is to be committed to something without reservation — to be wholly devoted to a cause. In Philippians 1 :2 1 , Paul said:

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” 

By this Paul was saying whether alive or dead, his life revolves around Jesus Christ. The disciples of Jesus Christ left everything in order to follow the Lord. What have you left to follow Him? How consecrated are you to the Lord after singing for years: ‘Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee’?

A classic example of consecration in scriptures is the three Hebrew children — Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They humbly but boldly looked up at the king and said, ‘Oh king, long may you rule! On the matter of idolatry, we will not compromise our stand by violating the commandment of our God. He is able to deliver us; but even if he is not willing to deliver us now, we really do not mind because we are ready to burn in your fire than to violate His Word’.

A female evangelist went to preach in a village in East Africa. Thereafter, she decided to do the same in the next village. She was told that going there was very dangerous as she faced the risk of being eaten by lions on the way. Yet she was not deterred. Then an old man offered to go with her. He told her lions will only attack if they are hungry so he decided to be food for the lions by going ahead of her so that she can safely get to that village. This is consecration! in those days, consecration was rife among Christians, but today, it appears it has disappeared from the registers of most Christians. To surrender all means to give your spouse, children, reputation and wealth to the Lord. When someone heard that I had left my job as a lecturer to become a pastor, he said he was not surprised because Mathematicians are crazy people, and that I was simply Manifesting that madness. Have you surrendered all? 

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Thursday 23 May 2013 CLEAN ENOUGH? By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Thursday 23 May 2013 

CLEAN ENOUGH? 

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” Isaiah 52:11

Read: Zechariah 3:1-7

Bible in one year:  Ezekiel 28-30

Key point: All round cleanliness is required to relate with God as His representative.

In today’s Bible reading, we read of how Joshua the high priest, who was both a representative of God and a divine champion, was standing before an angel, putting on filthy garments. You would notice that Gods attention was focused on the dressing of His priest. Some people tell us today that since the inward appearance is more important to God, we should play down the outward appearance. The truth ¡s they are both important before God. If you are God’s representative, God is interested in your inner beauty as well as your outward dressing. God wants to know whether your physical clothes are clean or dirty. If .you are a Christian but you are dirty, you need reorientation and renewal of your mind. Some sisters leave their hair unkempt and unwashed until it begins to breed lice. Some brothers will wear the same boxers for one or two weeks. Some people do not have their bath or even brush their teeth in the name of fasting. No wonder whenever they are doing a private fast the whole world knows. What is keeping God and His favour away from some of His children is not sin but dirt. Demons are spiritually unclean beings so they flock around where there is sin and dirt. If you visit the houses of some people, dirty clothes will adorn the settees. You will have to wait for them to move the clothes off before you find space to sit down. Some people will eat and pile up dirty plates until there is no clean plate. Even when they give you what they claim to have washed, you will still see traces of food sticking to the plates, cups, cutlery and pots. If you are a dirty person, ¡t will show wherever you go. Some people take their dirty habits to church. They will litter where they sit with sweet wrappers, water sachets, and empty water bottles etc. instead of disposing them properly. Personal hygiene is very important both for healthy living as well as for relating with God and man. Are you keeping God far away from you by being unhygienic?