A LOVING & PERMANENT GUEST - 2/8/2014

A LOVING & PERMANENT GUEST - 2/8/2014

Memorise: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Matthew 6:26

Read: John 7:38-39

Based on the fact that the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Jesus after His baptism (Luke 3:22), the dove is used as an emblem of the Holy Spirit. A study of some characteristics of the dove will therefore give us insight on the Person of the Holy Spirit. The most striking characteristic of the dove is that it is one of the cleanest birds on Earth. God the Holy Spirit is pre-eminently holy. Holiness is so essential to His nature that His name consists of the word “Holy”. Whenever the Holy Spirit moves, He convicts the heart of men of sin, of righteousness and of judgement (John 16:8). He is a clean Spirit, and to be a friend of His, you have to move close to Him in holiness.

Another characteristic of the dove is that it is gentle in manner (Matthew 10:16). Why is the dove gentle in manner? In my research into the nature and habits of the dove, I came across this truth: “One reason for the gentleness of the dove is because the bird has no gall. Gall is considered by naturalists of old as the source and fountain of contention, the bitterness of the gall being supposed to infuse itself into the spirit.” There is no bitterness in the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, among other things, is gentleness (Galatians 5:23). To come close to the Holy Spirit is to come close to meekness and gentleness. Someone once said, “Nothing is as strong as gentleness and no one is gentler than the Holy Spirit”. The gentleness of the Holy Spirit must not be seen from the perspective of weakness because in His gentleness lies His strength, and in His strength lies victory, deliverance, prosperity, healing, salvation, promotion, protection and all that you need now and in future. Another characteristic of the dove is that it is swift of wing. The main strength of a dove is its wings. Upheld by its wings, a dove can fly for many days so that other birds pursuing it are unable to overtake it. The Holy Spirit is very swift in His dealings and He is never at a loss of what to do. As a swift and prompt Spirit, God the Holy Spirit attends to the needs of the people of God. He prays with us while we pray, He guides us in our choice of a life partner and He helps us in our business transactions. The best business is one whose senior partner is God the Holy Spirit. Invite Him into your business. He assists us in our inadequacies, comforts us in our sorrows and cheers us in our despondency. He guides us in our difficulties and He quickens us when our faith is weak. Cast your burdens upon the Holy Spirit. Let Him take over your burdens, for He cares for you.

Prayer Point: Lord delight in me. Bless me. Fix your gaze upon me and transform my life for better today.

ARE YOU A HYPOCRITE? - 01/08/2014

ARE YOU A HYPOCRITE? - 01/08/2014

Memory verse: And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew 6:5

Bible reading: Mark 7:1-6

Bible in one year: Matthew 19:1 - 21:7

"Hypocrisy is a type of behaviour in which a person pretends to have moral standards or opinions, but does not actually live by them. Hypocrisy is a decadence condemned by the church and society. Paradoxically, its manifestation is commonplace in both the church and the society. The Bible warns against and condemns hypocrisy in the strongest terms. Luke 11:44 says,

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.”

Hypocrisy is manifested in many ways. First, it is manifested in giving (Matthew 6:1-4). Giving is good and scriptural. A Christian is expected to give cheerfully, abundantly, sacrificially and lovingly. We should give our time, money, talents and energy for the expansion of the kingdom of God and the furtherance of His work on earth. However, when giving, a hypocrite is pretentious. He either gives sparingly while giving the impression of abundant giving, or refuses to give while at the same time passing off as the best giver. A hypocrite wants every act of his giving to be acknowledged in public. He engages in charitable work simply for self-aggrandisement. Are you a hypocrite? How do you give? What motives are behind your acts of charity?

A second area in which hypocrisy finds expression is in prayer. Prayer is an obligation, and God answers prayers. He enjoins us to ask and instructed us to pray without ceasing. The hypocrite prays. He however has a wrong motive for praying. He cannot be said to be praying to God. A hypocrite prays to be seen of men (Matthew 6:5). Hypocrites do not engage in secret prayers; they will only pray where men can see and acknowledge them as prayerful persons. What is the motive behind your prayers? When do you pray? Why do you pray? How do you pray? Do you limit your prayers to places where men can see or hear you pray? Do you pray to be acknowledged by men as a prayer warrior? A third area in which hypocrisy finds expression is in fasting. Fasting is scriptural. Christians should however not be hypocritical in fasting (Matthew 6:16). A hypocrite fasts in order to be seen by men. He announces his fast and does things to make men acknowledge the fast. This is unscriptural. Whenever you fast, let it be between you and God. Finally a hypocrite is fraudulent. He is dubious, exploitative and through pretexts appears to be religious. Are you a hypocrite?"

Action Point: If you notice any act of hypocrisy in your life, repent and turn a new leaf.

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

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.

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.

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 heaven’s 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 God’s 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.

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 God’s 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

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 God’s 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.

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 God’s 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, God’s 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 God’s hands is a risk worth taking.

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

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 God’s 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