Memorise: And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. - 1 Corinthians 8:2
Read: Psalm 49:6-7 (KJV)
6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 14:1-16:8; Ephesians 6
MESSAGE:
An individual who believes he or she is wiser than other people is proud.Proverbs 26:12 says:
“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.”
It is bad enough to be a fool, but this Scripture tells us that a person who thinks he knows more than every other person is in worse shape. While there may still be a ray of hope left for the fool, the case of the proud is almost completely hopeless. 1 Corinthians 8:2 says:
“And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.”
It is what some people know that makes them proud (1 Corinthians 8:1). The knowledge of God that you have should not generate pride in you but strength(Daniel 11:32). As a husband, if you say you are not proud, why then is it that you don’t entertain the useful suggestions of your wife? As a leader, do you operate with others under you as if you are the custodian of knowledge? If you are not proud, you will be able to learn from your subordinates and even from your children. Believe it or not, there are lots of advice, useful suggestions and other blessings God will be sending to you through your subordinates and those under you; but if you are not ready to humble yourself to receive these, you may likely miss them.
One way of identifying the proud is through their boastings. A proud fellow will not only brag about what he can do, but also about several things he cannot do, all in a bid to make him look bigger than who he really is. As a child of God, you are expected to avoid boasting because of several variables in life are completely out of your control (James 4:14-16). Hence, our Bible reading says even when you are wealthy, never put your trust in your wealth or boast about what you have. Money may buy you a water bed, but it cannot buy you sleep. What is the use of a water bed without the ability to sleep? Also, you may be the richest man in the world, and yet with all your wealth, you cannot buy salvation for yourself or for your brother. Money can buy a beautiful wife but not a good name. Do you boast of your accomplishments? You need to be broken. Forget whatever you may have achieved and yield yourself to the hands of the Lord, asking God to mould you as He deems fit.
Key Point: Pride, like smoke, cannot be covered. Before long, it will be seen in the carriage or conduct of its host.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Saturday 31 October 2015
Friday 30 October 2015
Open Heavens 30 October 2015: Friday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Chosen for Laughter
Memorise: And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. - Genesis 21:6.
Read: Genesis 21:1-6 (KJV)
1 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 12-13; Ephesians 5
MESSAGE:
We serve a God that fills the mouth of his chosen with laughter. Some chosen of the Lord testified of this in Psalms 126:2 saying:
"Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them."
In Genesis 18:1-14, when the Lord visited Abraham and Sarah and ate in their tent, He promised them that they would have a son in nine months' time; but Sarah laughed because her husband was over 99 years old and she herself was 90 years old. She thought that this promise was a joke borne out of how much the three august visitors enjoyed the meal that she and Abraham had prepared. God asked why she laughed, but she denied that she laughed. Nine months later, she gave birth to laughter, and she laughed for the rest of her life (Genesis 21:6).Today, God still makes people laugh. When God makes you laugh, your laughter will be sustained. But how can God make you laugh today? God makes you laugh when you receive an unexpected divine visitation. It is one thing for you to pay God a visit, like when you attend a church programme or a special programme like the Holy Ghost Service; but it is another thing for God to visit you. It is a beautiful experience when God visits a congregation or group of people, but it is even lovelier when God picks out an individual in a large congregation for divine visitation. The Lord will single you out for a divine visitation this season in Jesus' Name.
In John 5:2-9, there was a multitude of sick folks at the pool called Bethesda, but when Jesus visited there, He went straight for the man who had been sick for 38 years, healed him and left the place. In like manner, in Mark 10:46-52, Jesus entered Jericho and passed through it looking for whom to visit. He saw none in Jericho, but as He was leaving, in the midst of a crowd, he saw a blind beggar outside the city gate, healed him and continued with His journey. As Jesus healed these people, He introduced laughter into their lives. There was no record that either of them was ever sick again. Whatever criteria He uses to determine candidates for His visitation shall work in your favour today. Out of the crowd of those who need children, the Lord will visit you with yours. Out of the crowd of those who need promotion, the Lord will promote you. Out of the crowd of those who need special anointing, the Lord will visit you specially today. However, flee from sin, and do only what pleases Him. Be faithful in your tithes and offerings, and worship Him.
Prayer Point: Father, I have wept for too long; from now on, introduce laughter into my life and make me laugh forever.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Read: Genesis 21:1-6 (KJV)
1 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 12-13; Ephesians 5
MESSAGE:
We serve a God that fills the mouth of his chosen with laughter. Some chosen of the Lord testified of this in Psalms 126:2 saying:
"Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them."
In Genesis 18:1-14, when the Lord visited Abraham and Sarah and ate in their tent, He promised them that they would have a son in nine months' time; but Sarah laughed because her husband was over 99 years old and she herself was 90 years old. She thought that this promise was a joke borne out of how much the three august visitors enjoyed the meal that she and Abraham had prepared. God asked why she laughed, but she denied that she laughed. Nine months later, she gave birth to laughter, and she laughed for the rest of her life (Genesis 21:6).Today, God still makes people laugh. When God makes you laugh, your laughter will be sustained. But how can God make you laugh today? God makes you laugh when you receive an unexpected divine visitation. It is one thing for you to pay God a visit, like when you attend a church programme or a special programme like the Holy Ghost Service; but it is another thing for God to visit you. It is a beautiful experience when God visits a congregation or group of people, but it is even lovelier when God picks out an individual in a large congregation for divine visitation. The Lord will single you out for a divine visitation this season in Jesus' Name.
In John 5:2-9, there was a multitude of sick folks at the pool called Bethesda, but when Jesus visited there, He went straight for the man who had been sick for 38 years, healed him and left the place. In like manner, in Mark 10:46-52, Jesus entered Jericho and passed through it looking for whom to visit. He saw none in Jericho, but as He was leaving, in the midst of a crowd, he saw a blind beggar outside the city gate, healed him and continued with His journey. As Jesus healed these people, He introduced laughter into their lives. There was no record that either of them was ever sick again. Whatever criteria He uses to determine candidates for His visitation shall work in your favour today. Out of the crowd of those who need children, the Lord will visit you with yours. Out of the crowd of those who need promotion, the Lord will promote you. Out of the crowd of those who need special anointing, the Lord will visit you specially today. However, flee from sin, and do only what pleases Him. Be faithful in your tithes and offerings, and worship Him.
Prayer Point: Father, I have wept for too long; from now on, introduce laughter into my life and make me laugh forever.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Thursday 29 October 2015
Open Heavens 29 October 2015: Thursday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Dangers of Envy II
Memorise: And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. -Genesis 30:1
Read: Numbers 16:29-35 (KJV)
29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.
30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
35 And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 10-11; Ephesians 4
MESSAGE:
Envy is a terrible character flaw that everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour must completely give up. Envy can lead to the murder of the one being envied or the murder of his or her dreams. Many polygamous families are wrapped up in envy. The mark of a place where there is envy is confusion and evil. James 3:16 says:
"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
As much as it lies within your power, avoid such places, because the Spirit of God will not stay in a place where there is confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). In such places, people go to any extent to discredit, poison, afflict and destroy their own out of envy. If you are driven by envy, you are on a satanic mission: a self-destructiv e mission that will definitely lead to regret someday. Today, some churches are envy-driven. Do you know that some pastors go to set up their own ministries out of envy? The foundation of such ministries is faulty from the beginning, and if you dare to check, God is completely out of it. Are you driven by envy? What are you doing as a result of envy? Repent and amend your ways today before it is too late.
There is a great price the envious always has to pay. This price could have a physical, emotional and spiritual component. The price for envy can be very costly! You would be amazed at what that tiny envy in your heart towards your neighbour can take out of you. Envy can erode the blessings of the envious. If you do not want to lose your blessings, completely abstain from it. Korah, Dathan and Abiram paid dearly for the envy that led them to rebel against their leader - Moses (Numbers 16:1-3). God publicly set them aside to show everyone that they had done the wrong thing. God, who earlier appointed them as leaders under Moses, openly discredited them. Thereafter, the ground swallowed them up together with their households. Envy made sure their generation was terminated. That envy in your heart can terminate your future generations! Greed and envy are two tools the devil uses to destroy future generations and destinies! Gehazi's greed brought leprosy to his generation(2 Kings 5:27), while the envy of Korah, Dathan and Abiram completely wiped out their generations. Check your heart! That tiny looking seed of envy that appears harmless today can become your greatest undoing. Ask God to help you uproot it now.
Prayer Point: Father, in your mercy, uproot and destroy completely every trace of envy in my heart.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
Read: Numbers 16:29-35 (KJV)
29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.
30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
35 And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 10-11; Ephesians 4
MESSAGE:
Envy is a terrible character flaw that everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour must completely give up. Envy can lead to the murder of the one being envied or the murder of his or her dreams. Many polygamous families are wrapped up in envy. The mark of a place where there is envy is confusion and evil. James 3:16 says:
"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
As much as it lies within your power, avoid such places, because the Spirit of God will not stay in a place where there is confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). In such places, people go to any extent to discredit, poison, afflict and destroy their own out of envy. If you are driven by envy, you are on a satanic mission: a self-destructiv e mission that will definitely lead to regret someday. Today, some churches are envy-driven. Do you know that some pastors go to set up their own ministries out of envy? The foundation of such ministries is faulty from the beginning, and if you dare to check, God is completely out of it. Are you driven by envy? What are you doing as a result of envy? Repent and amend your ways today before it is too late.
There is a great price the envious always has to pay. This price could have a physical, emotional and spiritual component. The price for envy can be very costly! You would be amazed at what that tiny envy in your heart towards your neighbour can take out of you. Envy can erode the blessings of the envious. If you do not want to lose your blessings, completely abstain from it. Korah, Dathan and Abiram paid dearly for the envy that led them to rebel against their leader - Moses (Numbers 16:1-3). God publicly set them aside to show everyone that they had done the wrong thing. God, who earlier appointed them as leaders under Moses, openly discredited them. Thereafter, the ground swallowed them up together with their households. Envy made sure their generation was terminated. That envy in your heart can terminate your future generations! Greed and envy are two tools the devil uses to destroy future generations and destinies! Gehazi's greed brought leprosy to his generation(2 Kings 5:27), while the envy of Korah, Dathan and Abiram completely wiped out their generations. Check your heart! That tiny looking seed of envy that appears harmless today can become your greatest undoing. Ask God to help you uproot it now.
Prayer Point: Father, in your mercy, uproot and destroy completely every trace of envy in my heart.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
Wednesday 28 October 2015
Open Heavens 28 October 2015: Wednesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Dangers of Envy I
Memorise: A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. - Proverbs 14:30
Read: Genesis 4:3-8 (KJV)
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 8-9; Ephesians 3
MESSAGE:
From Proverbs 3:31-33 we understand that oppressors should not be envied, because there is a divine curse on their households. If you envy an unbeliever for any reason, you may be attracting the curse on such a fellow to yourself. Furthermore, Psalm 37:1-2 admonishes us to look beyond the material blessings of sinners, as they are heading for a tragic end. Besides not envying sinners,Galatians 5:26 makes it clear that it is equally wrong to envy one another. Envy is dangerous, because it can trigger a chain of negative events in the life of the envious. If there is envy in the heart of a person and it is not dealt with, it can lead to murder, as was the case with Cain. Cain and his younger brother, Abel, offered up sacrifices before God. While Abel's offering was accepted, Cain's offering was rejected. Instead of going back to God to find out what he did wrong, or going to his brother to find out what he did right, so that he could adjust and offer an acceptable sacrifice, he took the mean option of giving room to envy. He nursed envy in his heart until the day they had a quarrel over some other issue. On this day, he hit his brother so hard that he died. Envy leads to murder. If you are envious, a seed that can grow into murder is already in your heart.
Similarly, in Genesis 37, we see how Joseph's brothers were taken over by envy. They envied him because he was their father's favourite son. This they did instead of finding out what they could do to make them partake of their father's favour. When Joseph had a set of dreams revealing a great future ahead, they envied him the more. Envy made them forget that Joseph was their younger brother and of the same blood with them. Envy affected their reasoning to a point where they became very irrational. Come to think of it, if their younger brother's dreams of greatness were realised, would it not positively affect their position in several ways? This should have made them encourage him to fulfil his destiny, so that they could become co-beneficiaries. Instead of this, envy poisoned their hearts against their own blood and got them to take up the assignment of killing his dream. Are you envious of anyone? Are you out to kill other people's dreams because if realised, they could become greater than you? It is evil! Repent today!
Key Point: Envy distorts the rational thinking process of the envious and makes such a fellow more subjective than objective.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
Read: Genesis 4:3-8 (KJV)
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 8-9; Ephesians 3
MESSAGE:
From Proverbs 3:31-33 we understand that oppressors should not be envied, because there is a divine curse on their households. If you envy an unbeliever for any reason, you may be attracting the curse on such a fellow to yourself. Furthermore, Psalm 37:1-2 admonishes us to look beyond the material blessings of sinners, as they are heading for a tragic end. Besides not envying sinners,Galatians 5:26 makes it clear that it is equally wrong to envy one another. Envy is dangerous, because it can trigger a chain of negative events in the life of the envious. If there is envy in the heart of a person and it is not dealt with, it can lead to murder, as was the case with Cain. Cain and his younger brother, Abel, offered up sacrifices before God. While Abel's offering was accepted, Cain's offering was rejected. Instead of going back to God to find out what he did wrong, or going to his brother to find out what he did right, so that he could adjust and offer an acceptable sacrifice, he took the mean option of giving room to envy. He nursed envy in his heart until the day they had a quarrel over some other issue. On this day, he hit his brother so hard that he died. Envy leads to murder. If you are envious, a seed that can grow into murder is already in your heart.
Similarly, in Genesis 37, we see how Joseph's brothers were taken over by envy. They envied him because he was their father's favourite son. This they did instead of finding out what they could do to make them partake of their father's favour. When Joseph had a set of dreams revealing a great future ahead, they envied him the more. Envy made them forget that Joseph was their younger brother and of the same blood with them. Envy affected their reasoning to a point where they became very irrational. Come to think of it, if their younger brother's dreams of greatness were realised, would it not positively affect their position in several ways? This should have made them encourage him to fulfil his destiny, so that they could become co-beneficiaries. Instead of this, envy poisoned their hearts against their own blood and got them to take up the assignment of killing his dream. Are you envious of anyone? Are you out to kill other people's dreams because if realised, they could become greater than you? It is evil! Repent today!
Key Point: Envy distorts the rational thinking process of the envious and makes such a fellow more subjective than objective.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
Tuesday 27 October 2015
Open Heavens 27 October 2015: Tuesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – He Still Sends Angels
Memorise: Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? -Hebrews 1:14
Read: Acts 27:20-25 (KJV)
20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 6-7; Ephesians 2
MESSAGE:
When God sends help from Heaven to an individual, He could send an angelic being to rescue the fellow. Often times, such an angel takes up a familiar form while executing the assignment. When this happens, the recipient of that assistance may not recognise the angel for who he is. For instance, many years ago, it was time to build a particular church. Announcements were made for members to gather together on a particular date and volunteer themselves to take part in the work. On the set day, as they gathered in the morning, they prayed to God before commencing the work, asking for strength not to be tired, and that God should send His angels to join them in the work. After the work started, they observed three unknown faces that had joined them in doing the work. Although they noticed that these men did most of the work, none of them dared to ask them who they were. At the end of that day's work, when they were trying to take stock of the day's activities, they wanted to appreciate everyone, particularly those three unknown people, but they realised that they had disappeared.
Similarly, when I was about six or seven years old, one of my elder sisters got married and went to live with her husband. One day, we met and I asked her where her farm was. "Not very far" she said, as she tried to describe it to me. At that age, I could not determine the meaning of "not very far", so I set out to locate it on a particular day. At a point, I did not know where I was, how to get to her farm or how to get back home. I realised I was lost! In my own little childish way, I looked up to heaven for God's help. By the time I looked down, I saw a little dog which showed a very friendly disposition towards me and was sort of beckoning to me to follow it. So I followed the dog until I got to my sister's farm. On seeing me, my sister asked, "How did you get here? Who brought you?" "I followed that dog", I replied. "Which dog?" She asked. "That little white dog". Then she said, "There is no dog on this farm." When we went outside their hut, there was no dog anywhere. God sent His angel to rescue me, and the angel took the shape of a dog to accomplish the mission. The Lord will go before you. He will send His angel to lead you on the path to your destiny. May He open your eyes to see the angels He sends your way in Jesus' Name.
Action Point: Whether you see them or not, as long as you are saved, holy and obedient to God,always remember that an angel is around you.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
Read: Acts 27:20-25 (KJV)
20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 6-7; Ephesians 2
MESSAGE:
When God sends help from Heaven to an individual, He could send an angelic being to rescue the fellow. Often times, such an angel takes up a familiar form while executing the assignment. When this happens, the recipient of that assistance may not recognise the angel for who he is. For instance, many years ago, it was time to build a particular church. Announcements were made for members to gather together on a particular date and volunteer themselves to take part in the work. On the set day, as they gathered in the morning, they prayed to God before commencing the work, asking for strength not to be tired, and that God should send His angels to join them in the work. After the work started, they observed three unknown faces that had joined them in doing the work. Although they noticed that these men did most of the work, none of them dared to ask them who they were. At the end of that day's work, when they were trying to take stock of the day's activities, they wanted to appreciate everyone, particularly those three unknown people, but they realised that they had disappeared.
Similarly, when I was about six or seven years old, one of my elder sisters got married and went to live with her husband. One day, we met and I asked her where her farm was. "Not very far" she said, as she tried to describe it to me. At that age, I could not determine the meaning of "not very far", so I set out to locate it on a particular day. At a point, I did not know where I was, how to get to her farm or how to get back home. I realised I was lost! In my own little childish way, I looked up to heaven for God's help. By the time I looked down, I saw a little dog which showed a very friendly disposition towards me and was sort of beckoning to me to follow it. So I followed the dog until I got to my sister's farm. On seeing me, my sister asked, "How did you get here? Who brought you?" "I followed that dog", I replied. "Which dog?" She asked. "That little white dog". Then she said, "There is no dog on this farm." When we went outside their hut, there was no dog anywhere. God sent His angel to rescue me, and the angel took the shape of a dog to accomplish the mission. The Lord will go before you. He will send His angel to lead you on the path to your destiny. May He open your eyes to see the angels He sends your way in Jesus' Name.
Action Point: Whether you see them or not, as long as you are saved, holy and obedient to God,always remember that an angel is around you.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
Monday 26 October 2015
Open Heavens 26 October 2015: Monday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Help After Losing Hope
Memorise: For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. -Ecclesiastes 9:4
Read: Luke 7:11-15 (KJV)
11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 4:15-5:33; Ephesians 1
MESSAGE:
It is so awesome to experience God’s favour. One day of God’s favour is better than a lifetime of labour. One of the awesome things that God’s favour delivers to you is unsolicited help. When your day of favour dawns, help will be volunteered to you; you will not be the one asking to be helped; instead, your destiny helpers will offer to help you. InJohn 5:2-9, we see a man at the pool called Bethesda, who had been there for 38 years. All those who were assisting him when he just got there had all gotten tired and left. He was now on his own. While other people had someone to help them, he had no one to help him(John 5:7). It is a very frustrating experience, when all those who were helping you become fed up of doing so. They can even discourage interested people from being of help to you. In this state of helplessness and hopelessness, his day of favour dawned, as Jesus Christ went through the crowd of sick folks to meet him. When the Lord met him, he offered him healing by asking, “Would you like to be healed?” That very hour, this man went home healed, while others watched in amazement.
Another recipient of volunteered help was the widow of Nain in our Bible reading. Just after she lost her husband, her only son also died. On this fateful day, she was already on her way to the graveyard for her son’s burial. She was not asking for any help. In any case, what help could anyone render to the dead? Yet, Jesus stopped the procession to the graveyard, raised the boy back to life and left, even without being invited. Sometime ago, while rounding up a programme we held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, God asked me to tell everyone in the congregation to ask for a special gift from him. In that meeting, a particular lady was there. She had trusted God for a husband for years, but she remained single, and now she had attained menopause. On that blessed day, she said to God, “The time to ask for a husband has passed. Having a husband now has no more meaning. I will just worship you till I die. So there is no need to bother you.” Two weeks later, a brother came to ask her hand in marriage. “You have come to the wrong person. Please go and pray again”, she said. Bewildered, he asked her why. She told him, “I have passed the age of child-bearing. Or don’t you want children?” But to her surprise, he exclaimed, “Glory be to God! You are surely the one I need!” unknown to her, this man was a widower who already had children. He wanted a mother for his children. They got married and she got pregnant, eventually being delivered of a set of twin boys. This season, the Lord will volunteer help to you. He will intervene even without being invited.
Action Point: Don’t lose your hope for any reason; but if you do, look up to God and He will restore it.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Read: Luke 7:11-15 (KJV)
11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 4:15-5:33; Ephesians 1
MESSAGE:
It is so awesome to experience God’s favour. One day of God’s favour is better than a lifetime of labour. One of the awesome things that God’s favour delivers to you is unsolicited help. When your day of favour dawns, help will be volunteered to you; you will not be the one asking to be helped; instead, your destiny helpers will offer to help you. InJohn 5:2-9, we see a man at the pool called Bethesda, who had been there for 38 years. All those who were assisting him when he just got there had all gotten tired and left. He was now on his own. While other people had someone to help them, he had no one to help him(John 5:7). It is a very frustrating experience, when all those who were helping you become fed up of doing so. They can even discourage interested people from being of help to you. In this state of helplessness and hopelessness, his day of favour dawned, as Jesus Christ went through the crowd of sick folks to meet him. When the Lord met him, he offered him healing by asking, “Would you like to be healed?” That very hour, this man went home healed, while others watched in amazement.
Another recipient of volunteered help was the widow of Nain in our Bible reading. Just after she lost her husband, her only son also died. On this fateful day, she was already on her way to the graveyard for her son’s burial. She was not asking for any help. In any case, what help could anyone render to the dead? Yet, Jesus stopped the procession to the graveyard, raised the boy back to life and left, even without being invited. Sometime ago, while rounding up a programme we held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, God asked me to tell everyone in the congregation to ask for a special gift from him. In that meeting, a particular lady was there. She had trusted God for a husband for years, but she remained single, and now she had attained menopause. On that blessed day, she said to God, “The time to ask for a husband has passed. Having a husband now has no more meaning. I will just worship you till I die. So there is no need to bother you.” Two weeks later, a brother came to ask her hand in marriage. “You have come to the wrong person. Please go and pray again”, she said. Bewildered, he asked her why. She told him, “I have passed the age of child-bearing. Or don’t you want children?” But to her surprise, he exclaimed, “Glory be to God! You are surely the one I need!” unknown to her, this man was a widower who already had children. He wanted a mother for his children. They got married and she got pregnant, eventually being delivered of a set of twin boys. This season, the Lord will volunteer help to you. He will intervene even without being invited.
Action Point: Don’t lose your hope for any reason; but if you do, look up to God and He will restore it.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Saturday 24 October 2015
Open Heavens 24 October 2015: Saturday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Instruments of Deliverance
Memorise: 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. - Jeremiah 1:7
Read: Genesis 50:18-20 (KJV)
18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 1:1-2:25 And Galatians 5
MESSAGE:
Children are carriers of blessings wherever they go. When Isaac was born, God put paid to the sorrow in the heart of his parents (Genesis 21:6-7).When Samuel was born, the chief mocker of his mother had no choice than to swallow her words (1 Samuel 1:6-7 & 2:1-3). Similarly, when Samson was born, the children of Israel began to receive the deliverance that had eluded them for so long (Judges 13:2-5). This shows that God can send you a child just to deliver you, your family or even your nation from a particular captivity. It is my prayer that from now onwards, you will not just have children, but children who will be instrumental to delivering joy to you in full in Jesus' Name.
In addition, when God wants to preserve a people or a nation, He can send a child. That was the case with Joseph. God did not only use Joseph to preserve his own family, he was also used to preserve other families of the world. Dear parents, do you know that there could be another Joseph in your house? When young Joseph began to have those wonderful dreams, his brothers were angry and envious, but his father simply observed the scenes, analysed the dreams and realised he had a special child in his house - a child of destiny (Genesis 37:3-11). May God open your eyes to see the Joseph in your house!
Also, there may be another Samson in your house. Samson was still young when the Holy Spirit began to move him from time to time (Judges 13:24-25). If his parents were observant, they would have noticed. In one of our meetings, the presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong that the children were baptised with the Holy Ghost. The teachers could not believe what was happening, but when I came to listen to them myself, I knew God was the One at work. There may be a Samson in your house, which is why you need to take extra care in raising your children in the fear of God and obedience to His word. Proverbs 22:6 says you should spend quality time in raising your children up in God's Way. Any child you fail to bring up properly will ultimately cause you sorrow. Are you leaving the training of your children to your house helps and nannies? Take responsibility for your children's upbringing today!
Key Point: If you are prayerful and sensitive enough, you will notice some early signs or traits in your children that can be a lead on what God would have them do on earth.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Read: Genesis 50:18-20 (KJV)
18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 1:1-2:25 And Galatians 5
MESSAGE:
Children are carriers of blessings wherever they go. When Isaac was born, God put paid to the sorrow in the heart of his parents (Genesis 21:6-7).When Samuel was born, the chief mocker of his mother had no choice than to swallow her words (1 Samuel 1:6-7 & 2:1-3). Similarly, when Samson was born, the children of Israel began to receive the deliverance that had eluded them for so long (Judges 13:2-5). This shows that God can send you a child just to deliver you, your family or even your nation from a particular captivity. It is my prayer that from now onwards, you will not just have children, but children who will be instrumental to delivering joy to you in full in Jesus' Name.
In addition, when God wants to preserve a people or a nation, He can send a child. That was the case with Joseph. God did not only use Joseph to preserve his own family, he was also used to preserve other families of the world. Dear parents, do you know that there could be another Joseph in your house? When young Joseph began to have those wonderful dreams, his brothers were angry and envious, but his father simply observed the scenes, analysed the dreams and realised he had a special child in his house - a child of destiny (Genesis 37:3-11). May God open your eyes to see the Joseph in your house!
Also, there may be another Samson in your house. Samson was still young when the Holy Spirit began to move him from time to time (Judges 13:24-25). If his parents were observant, they would have noticed. In one of our meetings, the presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong that the children were baptised with the Holy Ghost. The teachers could not believe what was happening, but when I came to listen to them myself, I knew God was the One at work. There may be a Samson in your house, which is why you need to take extra care in raising your children in the fear of God and obedience to His word. Proverbs 22:6 says you should spend quality time in raising your children up in God's Way. Any child you fail to bring up properly will ultimately cause you sorrow. Are you leaving the training of your children to your house helps and nannies? Take responsibility for your children's upbringing today!
Key Point: If you are prayerful and sensitive enough, you will notice some early signs or traits in your children that can be a lead on what God would have them do on earth.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Friday 23 October 2015
Open Heavens 23 October 2015: Friday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Wise in Your Own Eyes?
Memorise: Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. -Psalm 3:7
Read: Psalm 3:5-7 (KJV)
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Bible in one Year: Numbers 35-36; Galatians 4:8-31
MESSAGE:
One character flaw that has worked against many people all through the ages is pride. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognise pride for what it is; rather, they see it as part of self-respect. Proverbs 21:4 says pride manifests itself in the carriage of a person and in the state of their heart. Not many proud people realise that they are proud. Psalm 73:6 says pride is like a chain around the neck of the proud. In other words, pride cannot be hidden for too long, just as a necklace is seen by all. That Scripture also says that there is a link between pride and violence. If you are proud, you won’t be far from evil, violent actions. God always has problems with His children who are proud, because pride is Satan’s necklace. You cannot be a child of God and while dressing yourself, you put on the necklace of your Father’s enemy! Immediately any child of God wears Satan’s necklace, God keeps His distance from the fellow. Are you proud? Are you wearing Satan’s necklace? Put it off now it you want God to relate well with you!
How can you identify the proud? A proud fellow thinks he or she is better, superior, wiser and stronger than other people. It is wrong to think you are wiser or better than others. Why? Wisdom comes from God, and He can give it to whoever He wants. If you misuse the wisdom God has given you, He can take it from you or give it to someone else. Also, if you are wise in the things of the world, you ought to be extremely careful and humble, because some people who are walking about the streets as madmen and women were once very wise. There are PhD holders and professors who have become insane. Do not let your wisdom become your undoing. There is a very thin line between wisdom and folly. No matter what you know, you can never be more knowledgeable than God. 1 Corinthians 1:25 says this about God:
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
An antidote to pride is having the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 3:7 says:
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
The more you fear God, the less likely you are to be proud. Ask God to increase His fear inn your heart.
Key Point: You cannot put on the robe of righteousness, and thereafter wear Satan’s necklace (pride).
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
Read: Psalm 3:5-7 (KJV)
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Bible in one Year: Numbers 35-36; Galatians 4:8-31
MESSAGE:
One character flaw that has worked against many people all through the ages is pride. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognise pride for what it is; rather, they see it as part of self-respect. Proverbs 21:4 says pride manifests itself in the carriage of a person and in the state of their heart. Not many proud people realise that they are proud. Psalm 73:6 says pride is like a chain around the neck of the proud. In other words, pride cannot be hidden for too long, just as a necklace is seen by all. That Scripture also says that there is a link between pride and violence. If you are proud, you won’t be far from evil, violent actions. God always has problems with His children who are proud, because pride is Satan’s necklace. You cannot be a child of God and while dressing yourself, you put on the necklace of your Father’s enemy! Immediately any child of God wears Satan’s necklace, God keeps His distance from the fellow. Are you proud? Are you wearing Satan’s necklace? Put it off now it you want God to relate well with you!
How can you identify the proud? A proud fellow thinks he or she is better, superior, wiser and stronger than other people. It is wrong to think you are wiser or better than others. Why? Wisdom comes from God, and He can give it to whoever He wants. If you misuse the wisdom God has given you, He can take it from you or give it to someone else. Also, if you are wise in the things of the world, you ought to be extremely careful and humble, because some people who are walking about the streets as madmen and women were once very wise. There are PhD holders and professors who have become insane. Do not let your wisdom become your undoing. There is a very thin line between wisdom and folly. No matter what you know, you can never be more knowledgeable than God. 1 Corinthians 1:25 says this about God:
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
An antidote to pride is having the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 3:7 says:
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
The more you fear God, the less likely you are to be proud. Ask God to increase His fear inn your heart.
Key Point: You cannot put on the robe of righteousness, and thereafter wear Satan’s necklace (pride).
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
Thursday 22 October 2015
Open Heavens 22 October 2015: Thursday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Worship: What State Of Maturity?
Memorise: Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. - Psalm 113:2
Read: Psalm 113:1-6 (KJV)
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.
4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
Bible in one Year: Numbers 33-34, Galatians 3:15-4:7
MESSAGE:
It is a great thing for you to seek God, but it is a far greater thing for God to seek you out. From experience, most people only seek God because they are in need, and because they want Him to do something for them. This is self-centredness. God may not seek out such people. Those who God seeks after are the ones who worship Him for who He is. Jesus, at Jacob’s well, revealed the class of people that God seeks out: true worshippers (John 4:23). For God to seek you out, you must be of high value to Him. If you take someone like David as a case study, you will find out that David had resolved to always bless the Lord, whether the going was good or not. Hence, in Psalm 34:1 he said:
“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
That is a very hard attitude to adopt and sustain. It is not easy to praise God when it appears the whole world is turning against you. It is not easy to worship God immediately after experiencing the loss of someone or something precious. Why would God seek out someone like David? It is because he always had what God wanted, which is praise and quality worship in his mouth and from his heart, always! This implies that anytime God visited David, He received praises. Can the same be said of you? No wonder God also decided that only goodness and mercy would continually follow David all the days of his life (Psalm 23:6)
In our trip to Israel not too long ago, I told those who travelled with me that there are two categories of worshippers. The first are those who praise God only after something good has happened to them. In other words, such people believe that God should earn their praise and worship. If He has not met their expectations, then there is no need to praise Him. These are baby worshippers. God may never seek such people out for anything. The second category of worshippers is made up of those who worship God even when their miracles have not come. Such people believe that God has already earned the right to be praised and worshipped, because of who He is and for all He has already done. They feel indebted to God; hence, their worship of Him is not conditional. They will praise God in any circumstance. These are adult worshippers. Such people always get more than what they desire from God. They are the ones whom God seeks after. What category do you belong to?
Key Point: The quality of worship you give to God shows the place that God occupies in your life.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
Read: Psalm 113:1-6 (KJV)
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.
4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
Bible in one Year: Numbers 33-34, Galatians 3:15-4:7
MESSAGE:
It is a great thing for you to seek God, but it is a far greater thing for God to seek you out. From experience, most people only seek God because they are in need, and because they want Him to do something for them. This is self-centredness. God may not seek out such people. Those who God seeks after are the ones who worship Him for who He is. Jesus, at Jacob’s well, revealed the class of people that God seeks out: true worshippers (John 4:23). For God to seek you out, you must be of high value to Him. If you take someone like David as a case study, you will find out that David had resolved to always bless the Lord, whether the going was good or not. Hence, in Psalm 34:1 he said:
“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
That is a very hard attitude to adopt and sustain. It is not easy to praise God when it appears the whole world is turning against you. It is not easy to worship God immediately after experiencing the loss of someone or something precious. Why would God seek out someone like David? It is because he always had what God wanted, which is praise and quality worship in his mouth and from his heart, always! This implies that anytime God visited David, He received praises. Can the same be said of you? No wonder God also decided that only goodness and mercy would continually follow David all the days of his life (Psalm 23:6)
In our trip to Israel not too long ago, I told those who travelled with me that there are two categories of worshippers. The first are those who praise God only after something good has happened to them. In other words, such people believe that God should earn their praise and worship. If He has not met their expectations, then there is no need to praise Him. These are baby worshippers. God may never seek such people out for anything. The second category of worshippers is made up of those who worship God even when their miracles have not come. Such people believe that God has already earned the right to be praised and worshipped, because of who He is and for all He has already done. They feel indebted to God; hence, their worship of Him is not conditional. They will praise God in any circumstance. These are adult worshippers. Such people always get more than what they desire from God. They are the ones whom God seeks after. What category do you belong to?
Key Point: The quality of worship you give to God shows the place that God occupies in your life.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
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