BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Jn 1-2
BEYOND MOUTH WORSHIP
MEMORIZE: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded" (James 4:8)
READ: Matthew 15:7-9
God’s greatest desire is for worshippers, not workers. James 4:8 says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded”. God has already taken the initiative. He has paid the price by sending His only begotten Son to die for us. He has already opened the way for us to come to Him. The ball is now in our court. When believers gather, they ask God to come and manifest His power. You may never bring God down through prayer, but through worship. If you want God to move closer to you, first reciprocate His gesture by moving closer to Him. You can do so through quality worship. A brother once narrated his several problems to me. He said he had fasted and prayed without seeing any difference. I asked him to give me a breakdown of how he spent each hour. He said he would weep and roll on the floor before God. It became obvious he wasted the time he spent in God’s presence!
Whenever you desire to spend time in His presence, you must worship Him. That is the primary activity you have to do there. Petitioning and other activities are secondary. Do you know that if you can perform this primary role effectively, there may be no need for the secondary activity, because He already knows your needs, and will move on to meet them? This is an easier way to have your needs met; But if you concentrate on asking and petitioning without worship, you are taking the tougher, longer and time consuming path. In praising Him, go beyond lips praise, to heart and spirit praise. Let the praise emanate from your heart. Let your spirit man be fully involved, and focus on God during worship.
When the King of kings comes in response to your worship, something definite must happen. During one of our Conventions several years ago, we were praising God when His power descended and miracles began to take place. But some people tempted Him, so He moved away. I was about to close down the meeting when it occurred to me that we could worship Him to a point of return. So we started praising Him again and He returned and performed greater miracles than before. God is more interested in worshippers than workers. In any case, nobody can acceptably work for God because His assignments are not done solely by human strength or effort. He supplies the resources with which to work for Him. Being a true worshipper releases the resources you require to be a good worker. He will do the work with you. From today, add a good dose of worship before any assignment is performed. Worship makes your service acceptable to God. Put it in its right place. Be a worshipper.
ACTIONPOINT: You should tithe your time. At least 2 hours 40 minutes should be spent daily on worship, prayer, Bible study, evangelism, visitation and weekly services.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Open Heavens August 29, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Sos 7-8
AFFLICTED FOR A PURPOSE
MEMORIZE: "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14)
READ: Hebrews 2:14-18
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). The King of kings could not be killed by old age, sickness, accident, or assassination attempts. So how did He die? He died because He allowed Himself to be killed. Why? One reason for this is because His blood is the only remedy for sin. Also, it was a point of agreement between Him and His Father ever before He left His rainbow circled throne in Heaven, that He would die for the human race He so loved. Another reason according to the above passage is because He wanted to destroy the devil who had the power over death. 1 Cor. 2:8 says if the devil had realized that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross would destroy him and strip him of his powers, he would have mobilized the Israelites to keep him alive.
Jesus also died to obtain a name above all names. He died to pay the bride price of His bride. Proverbs 29:9 says anyone who contends with a wise man will surely lose. Whenever God allows something unpleasant to happen, it is because it will ultimately serve His purpose. When Joseph’s brothers were about to sell him into slavery, they thought they had gotten rid of the dreamer, and his dreams: little did they know that by that envious act, they had become the vehicle by which his dreams would be fulfilled. As long as you remain in God’s perfect will, and you are obedient to Him, whatever happens - good or bad, are in your favor. Stay focussed on the Lord in the midst of your trial. Things will surely work for you. Sometimes, some Christians think they are clever.
They manoeuvre things and think they have gotten away with it because they have not received any repercussion. They are living in deceit! During the Christmas season of a particular year, one of my children came to ask me what I wanted for Christmas. I told him even when I knew he could not afford it. He ran to his savings and found that the money was not enough to get the gift. He returned to tell me he needed some money for something. I gave him even though I knew what he was going to use it for. At the end of the day, we were both happy. Sometimes, believers play such tricks on God. If God allows you to get away with such tricks, it is because they will serve His purpose at the end of the day. According to Romans 8:28, the King of kings may allow disappointments, pains, agonies, shame, defeats and other difficulties in your life to serve His purpose. No matter how bad that situation may be, God is at work in it. Look out for Him and He will see you through!
ACTION POINT: Prayerfully search for two brethren who are going through difficulties and afflictions. Visit them, pray for them and encourage them, and bless them financially or materially.
AFFLICTED FOR A PURPOSE
MEMORIZE: "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14)
READ: Hebrews 2:14-18
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). The King of kings could not be killed by old age, sickness, accident, or assassination attempts. So how did He die? He died because He allowed Himself to be killed. Why? One reason for this is because His blood is the only remedy for sin. Also, it was a point of agreement between Him and His Father ever before He left His rainbow circled throne in Heaven, that He would die for the human race He so loved. Another reason according to the above passage is because He wanted to destroy the devil who had the power over death. 1 Cor. 2:8 says if the devil had realized that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross would destroy him and strip him of his powers, he would have mobilized the Israelites to keep him alive.
Jesus also died to obtain a name above all names. He died to pay the bride price of His bride. Proverbs 29:9 says anyone who contends with a wise man will surely lose. Whenever God allows something unpleasant to happen, it is because it will ultimately serve His purpose. When Joseph’s brothers were about to sell him into slavery, they thought they had gotten rid of the dreamer, and his dreams: little did they know that by that envious act, they had become the vehicle by which his dreams would be fulfilled. As long as you remain in God’s perfect will, and you are obedient to Him, whatever happens - good or bad, are in your favor. Stay focussed on the Lord in the midst of your trial. Things will surely work for you. Sometimes, some Christians think they are clever.
They manoeuvre things and think they have gotten away with it because they have not received any repercussion. They are living in deceit! During the Christmas season of a particular year, one of my children came to ask me what I wanted for Christmas. I told him even when I knew he could not afford it. He ran to his savings and found that the money was not enough to get the gift. He returned to tell me he needed some money for something. I gave him even though I knew what he was going to use it for. At the end of the day, we were both happy. Sometimes, believers play such tricks on God. If God allows you to get away with such tricks, it is because they will serve His purpose at the end of the day. According to Romans 8:28, the King of kings may allow disappointments, pains, agonies, shame, defeats and other difficulties in your life to serve His purpose. No matter how bad that situation may be, God is at work in it. Look out for Him and He will see you through!
ACTION POINT: Prayerfully search for two brethren who are going through difficulties and afflictions. Visit them, pray for them and encourage them, and bless them financially or materially.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Open Heavens August 28, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 11:13-31
CHECK THESE WEIGHTS
MEMORIZE: "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it"(Hebrews 4:1)
READ: Hebrews 3:12-19
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Another tare in the life of a Christian is a weight. This is an unnecessary load, yoke or burden that is carried on oneself during the course of the Christian race. The race we run is a marathon, not a dash. No athlete would successfully do a marathon with a load on the head or back. Any weight on the Christian impedes speed, diverts attention and possibly terminates the race before the finishing line. Unbelief and doubts are weights that can grind the wheel of progress to a halt (Mark 6:1-6). Unbelief is a rope which ties the hands of God over a situation. It hinders God’s move in your life. It is a very heavy weight. Doubt is only a little lighter yet offensive enough to cause dumbness to Zacharias the priest (Luke 1:1122). If there are problems you think God cannot solve, you are planting the tare of unbelief. Any believer who habors unbelief or doubt cannot enter the promised land (Hebrews 3:12-19).
The weight impeding the Christian race of some is uncontrolled appetite and eating habits. A glutton or someone who cannot tame his appetite will not find it easy living the life of the spirit. Taking heavy meals late at night could turn your prayer life into a drab event. Becoming obese will slow you down in service and Christian life in general. Watch your appetite! A Christian pilgrim is highly disciplined when it comes to eating. Besides this, some Christians cannot control comfort and pleasure and as a result become their victims. If the arrival of a car has made you to stop evangelism, it has become a tare. If your bed is becoming too comfortable and tempting to sustain a healthy prayer life, it has become a tare. If prosperity is making you to cultivate the habit of arguing with God, or your leader on spiritual issues, it has become a tare. The weight that will hinder many leaders from a fruitful, rewardable service, and even from making it to Heaven is position. If you are fighting, scheming, bribing or manipulating to get to the next level, you are planting tares that will derail your Heaven-bound journey. Today, legitimate things such as pressure from work is increasingly becoming a weight. Any job that does not allow for regular fellowship with God and the brethren is a tare. Unhealthy association of old friends, town meetings, old boys associations, etc. where the flesh is glorified can become a tare. Watch out!
ACTIONPOINT:This may sound funny but it is true. One reason God has not released the cars of some who are faithfully winning souls in buses is because He does not want to stop them from winning more souls. But if such a fellow can enter into a concrete plan to continue soul winning, the car will come.
CHECK THESE WEIGHTS
MEMORIZE: "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it"(Hebrews 4:1)
READ: Hebrews 3:12-19
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Another tare in the life of a Christian is a weight. This is an unnecessary load, yoke or burden that is carried on oneself during the course of the Christian race. The race we run is a marathon, not a dash. No athlete would successfully do a marathon with a load on the head or back. Any weight on the Christian impedes speed, diverts attention and possibly terminates the race before the finishing line. Unbelief and doubts are weights that can grind the wheel of progress to a halt (Mark 6:1-6). Unbelief is a rope which ties the hands of God over a situation. It hinders God’s move in your life. It is a very heavy weight. Doubt is only a little lighter yet offensive enough to cause dumbness to Zacharias the priest (Luke 1:1122). If there are problems you think God cannot solve, you are planting the tare of unbelief. Any believer who habors unbelief or doubt cannot enter the promised land (Hebrews 3:12-19).
The weight impeding the Christian race of some is uncontrolled appetite and eating habits. A glutton or someone who cannot tame his appetite will not find it easy living the life of the spirit. Taking heavy meals late at night could turn your prayer life into a drab event. Becoming obese will slow you down in service and Christian life in general. Watch your appetite! A Christian pilgrim is highly disciplined when it comes to eating. Besides this, some Christians cannot control comfort and pleasure and as a result become their victims. If the arrival of a car has made you to stop evangelism, it has become a tare. If your bed is becoming too comfortable and tempting to sustain a healthy prayer life, it has become a tare. If prosperity is making you to cultivate the habit of arguing with God, or your leader on spiritual issues, it has become a tare. The weight that will hinder many leaders from a fruitful, rewardable service, and even from making it to Heaven is position. If you are fighting, scheming, bribing or manipulating to get to the next level, you are planting tares that will derail your Heaven-bound journey. Today, legitimate things such as pressure from work is increasingly becoming a weight. Any job that does not allow for regular fellowship with God and the brethren is a tare. Unhealthy association of old friends, town meetings, old boys associations, etc. where the flesh is glorified can become a tare. Watch out!
ACTIONPOINT:This may sound funny but it is true. One reason God has not released the cars of some who are faithfully winning souls in buses is because He does not want to stop them from winning more souls. But if such a fellow can enter into a concrete plan to continue soul winning, the car will come.
Open Heavens August 28, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 11:13-31
CHECK THESE WEIGHTS
MEMORIZE: "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it"(Hebrews 4:1)
READ: Hebrews 3:12-19
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Another tare in the life of a Christian is a weight. This is an unnecessary load, yoke or burden that is carried on oneself during the course of the Christian race. The race we run is a marathon, not a dash. No athlete would successfully do a marathon with a load on the head or back. Any weight on the Christian impedes speed, diverts attention and possibly terminates the race before the finishing line. Unbelief and doubts are weights that can grind the wheel of progress to a halt (Mark 6:1-6). Unbelief is a rope which ties the hands of God over a situation. It hinders God’s move in your life. It is a very heavy weight. Doubt is only a little lighter yet offensive enough to cause dumbness to Zacharias the priest (Luke 1:1122). If there are problems you think God cannot solve, you are planting the tare of unbelief. Any believer who habors unbelief or doubt cannot enter the promised land (Hebrews 3:12-19).
The weight impeding the Christian race of some is uncontrolled appetite and eating habits. A glutton or someone who cannot tame his appetite will not find it easy living the life of the spirit. Taking heavy meals late at night could turn your prayer life into a drab event. Becoming obese will slow you down in service and Christian life in general. Watch your appetite! A Christian pilgrim is highly disciplined when it comes to eating. Besides this, some Christians cannot control comfort and pleasure and as a result become their victims. If the arrival of a car has made you to stop evangelism, it has become a tare. If your bed is becoming too comfortable and tempting to sustain a healthy prayer life, it has become a tare. If prosperity is making you to cultivate the habit of arguing with God, or your leader on spiritual issues, it has become a tare. The weight that will hinder many leaders from a fruitful, rewardable service, and even from making it to Heaven is position. If you are fighting, scheming, bribing or manipulating to get to the next level, you are planting tares that will derail your Heaven-bound journey. Today, legitimate things such as pressure from work is increasingly becoming a weight. Any job that does not allow for regular fellowship with God and the brethren is a tare. Unhealthy association of old friends, town meetings, old boys associations, etc. where the flesh is glorified can become a tare. Watch out!
ACTIONPOINT:This may sound funny but it is true. One reason God has not released the cars of some who are faithfully winning souls in buses is because He does not want to stop them from winning more souls. But if such a fellow can enter into a concrete plan to continue soul winning, the car will come.
CHECK THESE WEIGHTS
MEMORIZE: "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it"(Hebrews 4:1)
READ: Hebrews 3:12-19
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Another tare in the life of a Christian is a weight. This is an unnecessary load, yoke or burden that is carried on oneself during the course of the Christian race. The race we run is a marathon, not a dash. No athlete would successfully do a marathon with a load on the head or back. Any weight on the Christian impedes speed, diverts attention and possibly terminates the race before the finishing line. Unbelief and doubts are weights that can grind the wheel of progress to a halt (Mark 6:1-6). Unbelief is a rope which ties the hands of God over a situation. It hinders God’s move in your life. It is a very heavy weight. Doubt is only a little lighter yet offensive enough to cause dumbness to Zacharias the priest (Luke 1:1122). If there are problems you think God cannot solve, you are planting the tare of unbelief. Any believer who habors unbelief or doubt cannot enter the promised land (Hebrews 3:12-19).
The weight impeding the Christian race of some is uncontrolled appetite and eating habits. A glutton or someone who cannot tame his appetite will not find it easy living the life of the spirit. Taking heavy meals late at night could turn your prayer life into a drab event. Becoming obese will slow you down in service and Christian life in general. Watch your appetite! A Christian pilgrim is highly disciplined when it comes to eating. Besides this, some Christians cannot control comfort and pleasure and as a result become their victims. If the arrival of a car has made you to stop evangelism, it has become a tare. If your bed is becoming too comfortable and tempting to sustain a healthy prayer life, it has become a tare. If prosperity is making you to cultivate the habit of arguing with God, or your leader on spiritual issues, it has become a tare. The weight that will hinder many leaders from a fruitful, rewardable service, and even from making it to Heaven is position. If you are fighting, scheming, bribing or manipulating to get to the next level, you are planting tares that will derail your Heaven-bound journey. Today, legitimate things such as pressure from work is increasingly becoming a weight. Any job that does not allow for regular fellowship with God and the brethren is a tare. Unhealthy association of old friends, town meetings, old boys associations, etc. where the flesh is glorified can become a tare. Watch out!
ACTIONPOINT:This may sound funny but it is true. One reason God has not released the cars of some who are faithfully winning souls in buses is because He does not want to stop them from winning more souls. But if such a fellow can enter into a concrete plan to continue soul winning, the car will come.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Open Heavens August 27, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Sos 1-3
IMPERFECT WORKS
MEMORIZE: "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit" (Matthew 12:33)
READ: Matthew 12:33-35
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God” (Revelations 3:2). It is one thing to work for God; It is another thing for Him to accept that service. The Lord rejected the works of the church at Sardis because they were imperfect. He did not say their works were not good enough, but that they did not hit the level of perfection required by God. Should the Lord assess your works today, what would be your score? To be ‘Perfect’ is to be without blemish. Matthew 5:48 says, ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”. The truth is, you and your works are of the same essence. Your works are part of your fruits, and you are identified by your fruits. It takes a perfect believer to perform a perfect work. When you are perfect at heart, that becomes your standard. You would want to maintain that standard of perfection in all you do. If your works are shoddy, that is exactly how you are. If your works are hardly complete, it is because you are incomplete. An imperfect believer cannot produce a perfect work. It is impossible! Your works are a true product of yourself. This is why you can tell a lot about someone you have never met by examining one or two lines the fellow has written in long hand.
“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). How can your works be without blemish? It is by working on yourself. By identifying what you are doing wrong and adjusting to God’s perfect standard. In Revelation 3:3, Jesus told the brethren at the church of Sardis whose works were not perfect to pay attention to the Word of God they have heard, hold it fast and make necessary adjustments. The emphasis is focus on yourself and correct what is wrong. Matthew 12:33 says, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by his fruit”.
If your work for Christ is still based on eye service, you are a corrupt tree. If your gifts, contributions, tithes or offerings still have some shades of deceit like Ananais and Sapphira’s, your tree is corrupt. If you do God’s work only when you feel like, you are a corrupt tree. Any comma in your service to Christ not only shows that something is wrong with your service or gift, but with you. Are your works perfect? Work on yourself today. Anyone with imperfect works is a candidate for divine shock, shame and disappointment. That will not be your portion.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God to make your works acceptable and perfect before Him. Pray for healing of the sick in the hospitals.
IMPERFECT WORKS
MEMORIZE: "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit" (Matthew 12:33)
READ: Matthew 12:33-35
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God” (Revelations 3:2). It is one thing to work for God; It is another thing for Him to accept that service. The Lord rejected the works of the church at Sardis because they were imperfect. He did not say their works were not good enough, but that they did not hit the level of perfection required by God. Should the Lord assess your works today, what would be your score? To be ‘Perfect’ is to be without blemish. Matthew 5:48 says, ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”. The truth is, you and your works are of the same essence. Your works are part of your fruits, and you are identified by your fruits. It takes a perfect believer to perform a perfect work. When you are perfect at heart, that becomes your standard. You would want to maintain that standard of perfection in all you do. If your works are shoddy, that is exactly how you are. If your works are hardly complete, it is because you are incomplete. An imperfect believer cannot produce a perfect work. It is impossible! Your works are a true product of yourself. This is why you can tell a lot about someone you have never met by examining one or two lines the fellow has written in long hand.
“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). How can your works be without blemish? It is by working on yourself. By identifying what you are doing wrong and adjusting to God’s perfect standard. In Revelation 3:3, Jesus told the brethren at the church of Sardis whose works were not perfect to pay attention to the Word of God they have heard, hold it fast and make necessary adjustments. The emphasis is focus on yourself and correct what is wrong. Matthew 12:33 says, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by his fruit”.
If your work for Christ is still based on eye service, you are a corrupt tree. If your gifts, contributions, tithes or offerings still have some shades of deceit like Ananais and Sapphira’s, your tree is corrupt. If you do God’s work only when you feel like, you are a corrupt tree. Any comma in your service to Christ not only shows that something is wrong with your service or gift, but with you. Are your works perfect? Work on yourself today. Anyone with imperfect works is a candidate for divine shock, shame and disappointment. That will not be your portion.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God to make your works acceptable and perfect before Him. Pray for healing of the sick in the hospitals.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Open Heavens August 26, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Rev 19-22
IN A PIT?
MEMORIZE: "Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession" (Proverbs 28:10)
READ: Genesis 37:23-24
There are seven levels of ground that an individual could be placed. From the lowest to the highest, you have the bottomless pit. This is a pit which has no terminal point. Anything you drop into this pit continues to fall through time without a solid floor to rest. Revelation 20:1-7 says Satan will be bound and kept in this prison for a period of 1000 years. During the Millenial reign of Christ and His saints on earth, Satan’s assignment will be to continue falling downward in his chained state for 1000 years! No wonder Heaven will come to earth! Unfortunately, some human beings would eventually end up where Satan would, because they rejected Jesus Christ. Accept Jesus today and stick with Him. If you dreamt and saw yourself falling in a pit with no bottom, it is meant to trigger a continuous fall. Whatever your level of descent, the Lord will reach out for you, and cause you to come out this season in Jesus’ Name.
The bottomless pit is not for you. The second level is the pit. This is a depth from the ground level. Usually, some pits have water in them, e.g. a well. A pit is a depth with a bottom. Being kept there endangers the life of the captives. It is pretty difficult to breath when you are a good depth below the ground level. This is one reason not too many people like to engage in manual well digging. Once in a while some people can enter a pit for failing to heed warnings. The life of any pit captive is seriously threatened. Every good thing about the fellow is buried and movement is seriously restricted. Darkness is the companion of such a captive and his voice cannot be heard. In Genesis 37:23-24, Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers. Many people today are operating from the pit. Any pit the enemy has thrown you, the Lord will bring you out today in the name of Jesus Christ.
“Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession” (Proverbs 28:10). This scripture talks about a pit of error. Some people are so deep in error that they do not realize they are deceived. They are in a pit. Are you in error? The Spirit of truth will fetch you out today. Proverbs 22:14 says, “The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein”. Fornication and lust are deep pits that will take only God to bring you out of. A young Christian once visited a colleague of his at home. She was his course mate at school. That day, after seeing how she ran her big apartment like a brothel with men taking their turns with the lady and a few others, he fell into the pit of immorality. As he left that evening, he went in search of a brothel - a place he had never been. That was the beginning of several trips to prostitutes which lasted several years. Eventually, the Lord delivered him. Are you in a pit? You are coming out.
ACTIONPOINT:Ask God to fetch you out of any pit you are in today.
IN A PIT?
MEMORIZE: "Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession" (Proverbs 28:10)
READ: Genesis 37:23-24
There are seven levels of ground that an individual could be placed. From the lowest to the highest, you have the bottomless pit. This is a pit which has no terminal point. Anything you drop into this pit continues to fall through time without a solid floor to rest. Revelation 20:1-7 says Satan will be bound and kept in this prison for a period of 1000 years. During the Millenial reign of Christ and His saints on earth, Satan’s assignment will be to continue falling downward in his chained state for 1000 years! No wonder Heaven will come to earth! Unfortunately, some human beings would eventually end up where Satan would, because they rejected Jesus Christ. Accept Jesus today and stick with Him. If you dreamt and saw yourself falling in a pit with no bottom, it is meant to trigger a continuous fall. Whatever your level of descent, the Lord will reach out for you, and cause you to come out this season in Jesus’ Name.
The bottomless pit is not for you. The second level is the pit. This is a depth from the ground level. Usually, some pits have water in them, e.g. a well. A pit is a depth with a bottom. Being kept there endangers the life of the captives. It is pretty difficult to breath when you are a good depth below the ground level. This is one reason not too many people like to engage in manual well digging. Once in a while some people can enter a pit for failing to heed warnings. The life of any pit captive is seriously threatened. Every good thing about the fellow is buried and movement is seriously restricted. Darkness is the companion of such a captive and his voice cannot be heard. In Genesis 37:23-24, Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers. Many people today are operating from the pit. Any pit the enemy has thrown you, the Lord will bring you out today in the name of Jesus Christ.
“Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession” (Proverbs 28:10). This scripture talks about a pit of error. Some people are so deep in error that they do not realize they are deceived. They are in a pit. Are you in error? The Spirit of truth will fetch you out today. Proverbs 22:14 says, “The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein”. Fornication and lust are deep pits that will take only God to bring you out of. A young Christian once visited a colleague of his at home. She was his course mate at school. That day, after seeing how she ran her big apartment like a brothel with men taking their turns with the lady and a few others, he fell into the pit of immorality. As he left that evening, he went in search of a brothel - a place he had never been. That was the beginning of several trips to prostitutes which lasted several years. Eventually, the Lord delivered him. Are you in a pit? You are coming out.
ACTIONPOINT:Ask God to fetch you out of any pit you are in today.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Open Heavens August 25, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Rev 16-18
BACKSLIDING IS IN STAGES
MEMORIZE: "If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame" (Hebrews 6:6)
READ: Hebrews 6:4-8
“If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing the crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:6). Backsliding is a light thing in our terminology, but not in God’s. We see it as just ‘going back’ but God describes it in more grievous terms: it is crucifying Jesus a second time; It is showing Jesus to the whole world and pushing His face in the mud- public disgrace. Backsliding is worse than what you think it is. Heaven can never accommodate those who have completely turned their backs to the Lord. Hence, God does not treat backsliders with kid gloves. Hebrews 10:29 says a backslider is one who has reduced Jesus into what he can trample on; One who no longer values the blood of the covenant by which he was saved, sanctified and protected; One who has insulted the Spirit of grace. Such people come under God’s judgement.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). A bonafide backslider has reached a point of no return. The blood of Jesus can no more avail for the fellow. He or she is classed with the devil and other fallen demons as they have a common eternity in the lake of fire, and have God as their common enemy. The bulk of backsliders around us are still on one wrong or another on the ladder of backsliding. May you never backslide in Jesus’ Name. Not many Christians believed they could ever get to the final stage of backsliding. Unfortunately, today, some of them have reached that point. And it cannot be reversed. Just as they were adopted sons of God, so also has God withdrawn their sonship and disowned them. Do people arrive at this extreme location in backsliding suddenly? No.
It is a gradual process. It starts from not making time to worship and study God’s Word privately; Missing fellowship once in a while; Arguing over or rationalizing a sinful act; Gradually, the person’s heart becomes hardened. If you are no more hearing personally from God, something is wrong. Find out why? If you commit a sin and your conscience does not prick or condemn you, you are gone. Run immediately to the cross! Where have you been compromising? Immediately make amends today. Cut off friends that lure you into sin. Or else the fellow will lead you to this point of no return. Come back from any point you have already descended in backsliding and the Lord will restore and preserve you for His Kingdom.
ACTIONPOINT: Pray for and follow up three backsliders. Ask that God will cause the leaders of this nation to fear God and serve the people from their hearts
BACKSLIDING IS IN STAGES
MEMORIZE: "If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame" (Hebrews 6:6)
READ: Hebrews 6:4-8
“If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing the crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:6). Backsliding is a light thing in our terminology, but not in God’s. We see it as just ‘going back’ but God describes it in more grievous terms: it is crucifying Jesus a second time; It is showing Jesus to the whole world and pushing His face in the mud- public disgrace. Backsliding is worse than what you think it is. Heaven can never accommodate those who have completely turned their backs to the Lord. Hence, God does not treat backsliders with kid gloves. Hebrews 10:29 says a backslider is one who has reduced Jesus into what he can trample on; One who no longer values the blood of the covenant by which he was saved, sanctified and protected; One who has insulted the Spirit of grace. Such people come under God’s judgement.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). A bonafide backslider has reached a point of no return. The blood of Jesus can no more avail for the fellow. He or she is classed with the devil and other fallen demons as they have a common eternity in the lake of fire, and have God as their common enemy. The bulk of backsliders around us are still on one wrong or another on the ladder of backsliding. May you never backslide in Jesus’ Name. Not many Christians believed they could ever get to the final stage of backsliding. Unfortunately, today, some of them have reached that point. And it cannot be reversed. Just as they were adopted sons of God, so also has God withdrawn their sonship and disowned them. Do people arrive at this extreme location in backsliding suddenly? No.
It is a gradual process. It starts from not making time to worship and study God’s Word privately; Missing fellowship once in a while; Arguing over or rationalizing a sinful act; Gradually, the person’s heart becomes hardened. If you are no more hearing personally from God, something is wrong. Find out why? If you commit a sin and your conscience does not prick or condemn you, you are gone. Run immediately to the cross! Where have you been compromising? Immediately make amends today. Cut off friends that lure you into sin. Or else the fellow will lead you to this point of no return. Come back from any point you have already descended in backsliding and the Lord will restore and preserve you for His Kingdom.
ACTIONPOINT: Pray for and follow up three backsliders. Ask that God will cause the leaders of this nation to fear God and serve the people from their hearts
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Open Heavens August 24, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Rev 13-15
RELEASING THE CAPTIVES
MEMORIZE: "Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south"(Psalms 126:4)
READ: Psalms 126:1-4
The lame man in Acts 3:1-11 was in some form of bondage. Wherever he was in he morning, there he would be picked in the evening. He could not move an inch beyond the extent he was assisted. Some people are tied down physically, spiritually, financially, maritally and mentally. Wherever you have been tied, the Lord will untie and release you from that captivity today in Jesus’ Name. There is someone using this Devotional. All efforts to assimilate what you read remains futile. Even when you spend much time studying, you find it difficult to retain anything. By the time you get to the examination hall, your head will be empty. You believe people are right for calling you a ‘block head’. Your brain has been tied. The Lord is setting you free now. Everything tying your brain is being roasted now. Your brain is being restored to an optimum performance level. As you see the manifestation of God’s deliverance, worship the Lord and testify of it to God’s people.
“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream” (Psalms 126:1). There is something called ‘captivity’. Some are tied to the same spot with little allowance. They can only go within the circle permitted by the spiritual rope with which they are tied. They put in so much effort, believing that things are going well: only to end up where they started! Then they would realize they have not made any progress. The children of Israel embarked on a trip to the promised land. A distance they should cover in 40 days took them 40 years. Yet, for the older generation, it was a futile trip. As they journeyed towards their destination, it kept shifting location. When a goal post is always moved, you can be sure no goal would be recorded in such a match. Each day, week, month, year passed. They thought they were getting closer to their promised land; But soon found themselves where they started. Oh they wept! But it continued until out of weariness, that generation was wasted! Whatever is making you revolve within the same location shall come to an end today. In any case, have you forsaken the Lord? If you are living contrary to His Word, you automatically empower the enemy to keep you on the same spot. As you return with your whole heart, the Lord will forgive and release you from every yoke of stagnancy in Jesus’ Name. You are moving forward from now on.
ACTIONPOINT:
Captivity has wheels. If it has turned to take you, it will return to release you. Ask God to turn again your captivity.
RELEASING THE CAPTIVES
MEMORIZE: "Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south"(Psalms 126:4)
READ: Psalms 126:1-4
The lame man in Acts 3:1-11 was in some form of bondage. Wherever he was in he morning, there he would be picked in the evening. He could not move an inch beyond the extent he was assisted. Some people are tied down physically, spiritually, financially, maritally and mentally. Wherever you have been tied, the Lord will untie and release you from that captivity today in Jesus’ Name. There is someone using this Devotional. All efforts to assimilate what you read remains futile. Even when you spend much time studying, you find it difficult to retain anything. By the time you get to the examination hall, your head will be empty. You believe people are right for calling you a ‘block head’. Your brain has been tied. The Lord is setting you free now. Everything tying your brain is being roasted now. Your brain is being restored to an optimum performance level. As you see the manifestation of God’s deliverance, worship the Lord and testify of it to God’s people.
“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream” (Psalms 126:1). There is something called ‘captivity’. Some are tied to the same spot with little allowance. They can only go within the circle permitted by the spiritual rope with which they are tied. They put in so much effort, believing that things are going well: only to end up where they started! Then they would realize they have not made any progress. The children of Israel embarked on a trip to the promised land. A distance they should cover in 40 days took them 40 years. Yet, for the older generation, it was a futile trip. As they journeyed towards their destination, it kept shifting location. When a goal post is always moved, you can be sure no goal would be recorded in such a match. Each day, week, month, year passed. They thought they were getting closer to their promised land; But soon found themselves where they started. Oh they wept! But it continued until out of weariness, that generation was wasted! Whatever is making you revolve within the same location shall come to an end today. In any case, have you forsaken the Lord? If you are living contrary to His Word, you automatically empower the enemy to keep you on the same spot. As you return with your whole heart, the Lord will forgive and release you from every yoke of stagnancy in Jesus’ Name. You are moving forward from now on.
ACTIONPOINT:
Captivity has wheels. If it has turned to take you, it will return to release you. Ask God to turn again your captivity.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Open Heavens August 23, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Rev 10-12
ANY DIVIDEND OF WORSHIP?
MEMORIZE: "Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy "(Exodus 15:6)
READ: Genesis 8:8-22
Your attitude towards worship can determine success or failure in life. Saul had a few slips, yet because of the absence of worship in his relationship with God, he failed woefully. You cannot serve God without worshipping Him. That service will be useless. But you can worship God to the extent that it will be counted as service. David had several slips, yet he succeeded because worship occupied a major place in his life. His pastime was worship. He did not only worship God, but also taught and influenced many to do so through his Psalms. What God cannot wave for any of His children, He can waive for true die hard, Spirit filled worshippers. God expects your praise and worship to be infectious. When the President of a nation rolls on the floor in worship of the Most High God, all his lords, governors, senators, ministers, officers and the citizenry will say, ‘If the president can worship God like this, why should those of a lesser position do any less?’ That was the experience with David. How infectious is your worship? Are people provoked to worship God when they see how you worship Him?
Today’s reading tells us that immediately after the flood, Noah worshiped God. Noah’s worship brought great dividends for the entire human race. God outlawed further flood judgements on the earth because of Noah’s solid, Spirit-led worship. Also, a decree re-establishing the various seasons on earth was obtained by that worship. If you have been worshipping God correctly, where are the dividends? Do you know that one single well packaged worship is enough to give you and coming generations the needed breakthrough?
In Exodus 15:1-21, immediately after crossing the Red Sea , Moses assembled the Israeli choir: and his elder sister Miriam led all the women in singing and worshipping God. They realized that any victory not sandwiched between worship can be touched by the kingdom of darkness. If your success, victory or breakthrough is at the verge of being lost or stolen, examine yourself. It is most likely you have not covered it with worship. Satan shuns worship-coated victories. Your blessing is not secure until you surround it with worship. For some of us, after a victory over the enemies, or a major breakthrough, the first response is to organize a party and enjoy ourselves as if we obtained the victory ourselves. Organizing parties in celebration of a promotion, major contract or something good before thanksgiving is becoming a re-occurrent phenomenon today in the Christian fold. This takes God off the scene. Are you a victim of this trend? Repent. Ask God to make you a true worshipper today.
ACTIONPOINT: How many lives have you influenced to worship God? Adopt the lifestyle of a spirit-filled worshipper today.
ANY DIVIDEND OF WORSHIP?
MEMORIZE: "Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy "(Exodus 15:6)
READ: Genesis 8:8-22
Your attitude towards worship can determine success or failure in life. Saul had a few slips, yet because of the absence of worship in his relationship with God, he failed woefully. You cannot serve God without worshipping Him. That service will be useless. But you can worship God to the extent that it will be counted as service. David had several slips, yet he succeeded because worship occupied a major place in his life. His pastime was worship. He did not only worship God, but also taught and influenced many to do so through his Psalms. What God cannot wave for any of His children, He can waive for true die hard, Spirit filled worshippers. God expects your praise and worship to be infectious. When the President of a nation rolls on the floor in worship of the Most High God, all his lords, governors, senators, ministers, officers and the citizenry will say, ‘If the president can worship God like this, why should those of a lesser position do any less?’ That was the experience with David. How infectious is your worship? Are people provoked to worship God when they see how you worship Him?
Today’s reading tells us that immediately after the flood, Noah worshiped God. Noah’s worship brought great dividends for the entire human race. God outlawed further flood judgements on the earth because of Noah’s solid, Spirit-led worship. Also, a decree re-establishing the various seasons on earth was obtained by that worship. If you have been worshipping God correctly, where are the dividends? Do you know that one single well packaged worship is enough to give you and coming generations the needed breakthrough?
In Exodus 15:1-21, immediately after crossing the Red Sea , Moses assembled the Israeli choir: and his elder sister Miriam led all the women in singing and worshipping God. They realized that any victory not sandwiched between worship can be touched by the kingdom of darkness. If your success, victory or breakthrough is at the verge of being lost or stolen, examine yourself. It is most likely you have not covered it with worship. Satan shuns worship-coated victories. Your blessing is not secure until you surround it with worship. For some of us, after a victory over the enemies, or a major breakthrough, the first response is to organize a party and enjoy ourselves as if we obtained the victory ourselves. Organizing parties in celebration of a promotion, major contract or something good before thanksgiving is becoming a re-occurrent phenomenon today in the Christian fold. This takes God off the scene. Are you a victim of this trend? Repent. Ask God to make you a true worshipper today.
ACTIONPOINT: How many lives have you influenced to worship God? Adopt the lifestyle of a spirit-filled worshipper today.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Open Heavens August 22, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Acts 10-12
FAITHFULNESS IS MENTORING
MEMORIZE: "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2)
READ: 2 Timothy 2:1-2
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Another component of faithfulness is the ability to positively affect others with the fire or zeal in you. For a teacher to be faithful, he must be able to reproduce himself in others. That means, the teaching gift in him must not die with him; He must raise or mentor more teachers who are either as good, or even better than himself. A leader who cannot train and develop other leaders capable of taking his place has failed, and is therefore unfaithful. To this end, the ability of the Lord in reproducing several little Christs who became known as Christians, and are yet affecting the world today, shows the high degree of faithfulness He exhibited. If you cannot reproduce somebody to take over from you, you are unfaithful. Those who deliberately sit on others and prevent them from rising, are millions of miles from faithfulness. In the department, parish, area, zone, province or other ministerial assignment you occupy, have you got your replacement? If you have none to replace you, there will be no room for your elevation. If things go wrong whenever you are not in the office, church or department, it is because you are a bad manager of human resources!
“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). Faithfulness is faith. Anyone who walks in doubt, unbelief and fear can never be faithful. To be faithful suggests you are full of faith. Anything you do that is not done in faith is a departure from this coveted prize. Similarly, faithfulness is the ability to keep God’s secrets. Proverbs 11:13 says, “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter”. If in your dealings with men, you find it difficult to keep confidential information, you are unfaithful; So also in our dealings with God. The leader who turns confidential information of subordinates into gossip, is unfaithful. If you are a gossip or have no control over your tongue, you can never be faithful. Faithfulness is a spirit. It is either you have it or you do not. Faithfulness is also an attribute that you can develop. Faithfulness is a passion that can put all other considerations as secondary in pursuit of the Master’s goal. Are you faithful?
ACTIONPOINT: Ask that all components of faithfulness will manifest in your life from today.
FAITHFULNESS IS MENTORING
MEMORIZE: "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2)
READ: 2 Timothy 2:1-2
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Another component of faithfulness is the ability to positively affect others with the fire or zeal in you. For a teacher to be faithful, he must be able to reproduce himself in others. That means, the teaching gift in him must not die with him; He must raise or mentor more teachers who are either as good, or even better than himself. A leader who cannot train and develop other leaders capable of taking his place has failed, and is therefore unfaithful. To this end, the ability of the Lord in reproducing several little Christs who became known as Christians, and are yet affecting the world today, shows the high degree of faithfulness He exhibited. If you cannot reproduce somebody to take over from you, you are unfaithful. Those who deliberately sit on others and prevent them from rising, are millions of miles from faithfulness. In the department, parish, area, zone, province or other ministerial assignment you occupy, have you got your replacement? If you have none to replace you, there will be no room for your elevation. If things go wrong whenever you are not in the office, church or department, it is because you are a bad manager of human resources!
“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). Faithfulness is faith. Anyone who walks in doubt, unbelief and fear can never be faithful. To be faithful suggests you are full of faith. Anything you do that is not done in faith is a departure from this coveted prize. Similarly, faithfulness is the ability to keep God’s secrets. Proverbs 11:13 says, “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter”. If in your dealings with men, you find it difficult to keep confidential information, you are unfaithful; So also in our dealings with God. The leader who turns confidential information of subordinates into gossip, is unfaithful. If you are a gossip or have no control over your tongue, you can never be faithful. Faithfulness is a spirit. It is either you have it or you do not. Faithfulness is also an attribute that you can develop. Faithfulness is a passion that can put all other considerations as secondary in pursuit of the Master’s goal. Are you faithful?
ACTIONPOINT: Ask that all components of faithfulness will manifest in your life from today.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Open Heavens August 21, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Acts 6-9
PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS
MEMORIZE: "But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way" (Matthew 13:25)
READ: Matthew 13:24-30
Satanic yokes, loads, marks and curses also constitute tares. Isaiah 10:27 says one way of uprooting such tares is by the anointing. The anointing to remove such tares, is available. Unfortunately, many cannot pay the price. Why do you require an outsider or your pastor to break some yokes? It is because you have failed to pay the price that Heaven requires. Do you know that if you can meet the requirements, the anointing will be made available where you are and the yokes will be destroyed? A man gave his life to Christ after several years of intercession by his younger brothers who had been saved. He began to spend much time alone with God, just fellowshipping and praying. One day, during one of such personal fellowships, the presence of the Lord was so strong, he got baptized in the Holy Ghost and began to speak in tongues. He thought something had snapped but later, the experience he got was explained to him. Sometimes, God’s presence comes so strong that he falls under the anointing while praying and worshipping alone. In the process, long standing yokes were destroyed from his life. At other times, while engaged in personal Bible study late at night, the Holy Spirit would pay him a visit, or send an angel to expound scriptures to him.
God is not partial. If He could do these with this brother, He can do more for you. However, are you ready to pay the price? All God’s blessings have a price tag attached. Until you meet Heaven’s requirement for each blessing, it may never come. Satanic yokes and burdens are tares. The Lord will uproot every tare from your life today in Jesus’ Name. Whatever spiritual load you have been carrying is removed now. Every mark of disfavor, disappointment, retrogression and hatred is destroyed in Jesus’ Name. Any tare you allow to remain in your life will hinder your progress. It will be a log on your wheel of progress. Reject, resist and fight against them today. It is what you allow that Heaven allows. No tare must be allowed to grow in your life. The presence of tares suggests spiritual slumber, sleep and slothfulness. It also suggests carelessness. Tares are sown while people sleep. Arise O sleeper. It is time to fight for your Kingdom rights. Ask God’s fire to fill you up. As long as you are on fire, no tare can grow in your life.
ACTIONPOINT: How you watch over your field (heart) determines if it will accommodate tares or not. Presence of tares in your life indicates carelessness.
PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS
MEMORIZE: "But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way" (Matthew 13:25)
READ: Matthew 13:24-30
Satanic yokes, loads, marks and curses also constitute tares. Isaiah 10:27 says one way of uprooting such tares is by the anointing. The anointing to remove such tares, is available. Unfortunately, many cannot pay the price. Why do you require an outsider or your pastor to break some yokes? It is because you have failed to pay the price that Heaven requires. Do you know that if you can meet the requirements, the anointing will be made available where you are and the yokes will be destroyed? A man gave his life to Christ after several years of intercession by his younger brothers who had been saved. He began to spend much time alone with God, just fellowshipping and praying. One day, during one of such personal fellowships, the presence of the Lord was so strong, he got baptized in the Holy Ghost and began to speak in tongues. He thought something had snapped but later, the experience he got was explained to him. Sometimes, God’s presence comes so strong that he falls under the anointing while praying and worshipping alone. In the process, long standing yokes were destroyed from his life. At other times, while engaged in personal Bible study late at night, the Holy Spirit would pay him a visit, or send an angel to expound scriptures to him.
God is not partial. If He could do these with this brother, He can do more for you. However, are you ready to pay the price? All God’s blessings have a price tag attached. Until you meet Heaven’s requirement for each blessing, it may never come. Satanic yokes and burdens are tares. The Lord will uproot every tare from your life today in Jesus’ Name. Whatever spiritual load you have been carrying is removed now. Every mark of disfavor, disappointment, retrogression and hatred is destroyed in Jesus’ Name. Any tare you allow to remain in your life will hinder your progress. It will be a log on your wheel of progress. Reject, resist and fight against them today. It is what you allow that Heaven allows. No tare must be allowed to grow in your life. The presence of tares suggests spiritual slumber, sleep and slothfulness. It also suggests carelessness. Tares are sown while people sleep. Arise O sleeper. It is time to fight for your Kingdom rights. Ask God’s fire to fill you up. As long as you are on fire, no tare can grow in your life.
ACTIONPOINT: How you watch over your field (heart) determines if it will accommodate tares or not. Presence of tares in your life indicates carelessness.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Open Heavens August 20, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Acts 3-5
I KNOW YOUR WORKS
MEMORIZE: "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" (Colossians 1:10)
READ: Revelation 3:1-6
In Revelations 3:1, Jesus says, ‘I know thy works’. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 says a day is coming when believers’ works will be revealed by fire. Never consider yourself clever if God chooses not to reveal all your secrets in your life time. Whatever is not revealed now, will be revealed in Heaven. Matthew 10:26 says there is no permanent cover for wrong doing. Sooner or later, whatever somebody is hiding will come to light. However, it is better if one’s secrets and shortcomings are exposed on earth, because after life, there is no room for amendment or repentance. In 1983, the number of ministers in the RCCG were quite few. One day, a man came to me and said that he had been in the church ever before I joined yet he had not been ordained a full pastor. I replied that it is God that chooses, not I. Then he asked me to tell God that he has been on the waiting list for years. When he left, the Lord asked me to ordain him even though he was a thief, a habitual adulterer, and still indulged in other sins. Shocked, I asked God, “How can I ordain such a fellow?” “And He replied, ‘So that he will have no excuse on the day of judgement’. A few months after his ordination, he died and went to face God with the title of ‘Pastor’.
A day is coming when there will be no room to manoeuvre. Everything will come to public glare. How are your works today? Can they endure God’s fiery test? Or will they be completely burnt? John 4:34 records this unbeatable loyalty concerning our Lord: “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work”. Wherever the Lord sends you to work - a department, parish or mission field, you should consider that assignment more important than your necessary food. John 9:4 says the time you have to perform any heavenly task on earth is limited and uncertain. You do not know when God will ask you to stop. Do the work with all your heart and strength. You must do it as if you have only today left. Many are not working for the One who employed them. They are working for themselves. If you are the focus of your labor - what or how much you can benefit from it -financially, materially, positionally, you are working for yourself, not God. Your reward will be limited to earth. Today, church leaders strive to meet set targets not because they want to move God’s Kingdom forward, but because they want to be promoted. Several churches have been planted just because someone is targeting promotion or finds it difficult to be under someone else. Jesus says He knows your works. Why are you doing what you are doing?
ACTIONPOINT: Ordination kills some, pegs the growth of some, turns some into anointed sinners, but renews the strength of others for service. Your spiritual location before ordination determines what it does to you.
I KNOW YOUR WORKS
MEMORIZE: "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" (Colossians 1:10)
READ: Revelation 3:1-6
In Revelations 3:1, Jesus says, ‘I know thy works’. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 says a day is coming when believers’ works will be revealed by fire. Never consider yourself clever if God chooses not to reveal all your secrets in your life time. Whatever is not revealed now, will be revealed in Heaven. Matthew 10:26 says there is no permanent cover for wrong doing. Sooner or later, whatever somebody is hiding will come to light. However, it is better if one’s secrets and shortcomings are exposed on earth, because after life, there is no room for amendment or repentance. In 1983, the number of ministers in the RCCG were quite few. One day, a man came to me and said that he had been in the church ever before I joined yet he had not been ordained a full pastor. I replied that it is God that chooses, not I. Then he asked me to tell God that he has been on the waiting list for years. When he left, the Lord asked me to ordain him even though he was a thief, a habitual adulterer, and still indulged in other sins. Shocked, I asked God, “How can I ordain such a fellow?” “And He replied, ‘So that he will have no excuse on the day of judgement’. A few months after his ordination, he died and went to face God with the title of ‘Pastor’.
A day is coming when there will be no room to manoeuvre. Everything will come to public glare. How are your works today? Can they endure God’s fiery test? Or will they be completely burnt? John 4:34 records this unbeatable loyalty concerning our Lord: “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work”. Wherever the Lord sends you to work - a department, parish or mission field, you should consider that assignment more important than your necessary food. John 9:4 says the time you have to perform any heavenly task on earth is limited and uncertain. You do not know when God will ask you to stop. Do the work with all your heart and strength. You must do it as if you have only today left. Many are not working for the One who employed them. They are working for themselves. If you are the focus of your labor - what or how much you can benefit from it -financially, materially, positionally, you are working for yourself, not God. Your reward will be limited to earth. Today, church leaders strive to meet set targets not because they want to move God’s Kingdom forward, but because they want to be promoted. Several churches have been planted just because someone is targeting promotion or finds it difficult to be under someone else. Jesus says He knows your works. Why are you doing what you are doing?
ACTIONPOINT: Ordination kills some, pegs the growth of some, turns some into anointed sinners, but renews the strength of others for service. Your spiritual location before ordination determines what it does to you.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Open Heavens August 19, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Acts 1-2
COVENANTED?
MEMORIZE: "And your covenant with death shall be dis-annulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it" (Isaiah 28:18)
READ: Isaiah 28:14-18
A covenant is a very powerful thing hence many who have entered into a wrong covenant find it difficult to come out. The good news is that deliverance is available for any victim of negative covenants. Some people in the name of avoiding death, make a covenant with the spirit of death. Unfortunately, such people may not spend half or a quarter of their days on earth! If you want to live, you have no pact with death, but with the life Giver Himself. Some initiates of the dark kingdom covenant to die at very crucial periods of their lives - on the day of graduating from the university, wedding day, day of delivery of their baby-particularly the first one, or the day that gives their parents their greatest joy. Back in the spirit realm, they would be promised bags of gold, wealth and so many fanciful things that would appeal to anyone. But on the day of death, the victim would find himself or herself in hell and the devil would laugh and say, “I have \deceived that one”. You shall not be a victim of Satan’s deception in Jesus’Name. Have you made any of such covenants with the forces of darkness? There is help for you today. Give your life to Jesus and see any pastor of a Bible believing church. You shall be completely free. If you are foolish enough to keep your covenant with the devil, be assured he cannot keep his.
Some years ago, a man was married to a mermaid due to an earlier covenant. The woman from the marine kingdom would come in person and they would travel together, and do so many things together. She gave him many things including a special wristwatch he could manipulate things with. One day, somebody invited him to a Gospel church and he attended. On his return, the lady warned him never to attend such a church but was free to attend certain ‘powerless’ ones. But as God would have it, he was invited again, and he attended the same church and the Holy Spirit arrested him, and he fell down. As some brethren prayerfully attended to him, they observed that his wrist watch began to move in top speed ahead of that year, until it got to a particular year and time. And it stopped. Then, the man died. But through the prayer efforts of the brethren and God’s mercy, he came back to life. He did not know that his life span had already been programmed into the wrist watch by forces of darkness, but the Lord reversed it. That was how he was delivered. Are you a victim of the kingdom of darkness? Satan has nothing good to offer you. Jesus has everything in store for you. Repent and turn to Jesus today. No matter how deep or far away you have gone with forces of darkness, there is deliverance for you in the name of Jesus. Accept Him today!
ACTIONPOINT:Many sincere seekers have sought God in the wrong places and entered into negative covenants. Pray that God will lead them out of Satan's den and into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
COVENANTED?
MEMORIZE: "And your covenant with death shall be dis-annulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it" (Isaiah 28:18)
READ: Isaiah 28:14-18
A covenant is a very powerful thing hence many who have entered into a wrong covenant find it difficult to come out. The good news is that deliverance is available for any victim of negative covenants. Some people in the name of avoiding death, make a covenant with the spirit of death. Unfortunately, such people may not spend half or a quarter of their days on earth! If you want to live, you have no pact with death, but with the life Giver Himself. Some initiates of the dark kingdom covenant to die at very crucial periods of their lives - on the day of graduating from the university, wedding day, day of delivery of their baby-particularly the first one, or the day that gives their parents their greatest joy. Back in the spirit realm, they would be promised bags of gold, wealth and so many fanciful things that would appeal to anyone. But on the day of death, the victim would find himself or herself in hell and the devil would laugh and say, “I have \deceived that one”. You shall not be a victim of Satan’s deception in Jesus’Name. Have you made any of such covenants with the forces of darkness? There is help for you today. Give your life to Jesus and see any pastor of a Bible believing church. You shall be completely free. If you are foolish enough to keep your covenant with the devil, be assured he cannot keep his.
Some years ago, a man was married to a mermaid due to an earlier covenant. The woman from the marine kingdom would come in person and they would travel together, and do so many things together. She gave him many things including a special wristwatch he could manipulate things with. One day, somebody invited him to a Gospel church and he attended. On his return, the lady warned him never to attend such a church but was free to attend certain ‘powerless’ ones. But as God would have it, he was invited again, and he attended the same church and the Holy Spirit arrested him, and he fell down. As some brethren prayerfully attended to him, they observed that his wrist watch began to move in top speed ahead of that year, until it got to a particular year and time. And it stopped. Then, the man died. But through the prayer efforts of the brethren and God’s mercy, he came back to life. He did not know that his life span had already been programmed into the wrist watch by forces of darkness, but the Lord reversed it. That was how he was delivered. Are you a victim of the kingdom of darkness? Satan has nothing good to offer you. Jesus has everything in store for you. Repent and turn to Jesus today. No matter how deep or far away you have gone with forces of darkness, there is deliverance for you in the name of Jesus. Accept Him today!
ACTIONPOINT:Many sincere seekers have sought God in the wrong places and entered into negative covenants. Pray that God will lead them out of Satan's den and into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Open Heavens August 18, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Kgs 23-25
IT WILL BE WORSE
MEMORIZE: "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man drawback, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10:38 )
READ: 1 John 2:15-17
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia , Titus unto Dalmatia ” (2 Timothy 4:10). Today’s reading commands us not to love the world. You cannot love the world and God at the same time. You cannot adopt worldly ways of amassing wealth, receiving promotion or success and remain in God’s Kingdom. Some testimonies shared by some brethren today are very shameful. Somebody comes before the congregation and testifies: “Praise God. I got a contract but along the line the goods were seized. So I had to settle the customs officials concerned and the goods were released. Praise God”. Does that mean that God tolerates bribery and corruption? No. He doesn’t. That glory belongs to you for being worldly wise, or at best to Satan.
Hebrews 10:38-39 says God is not interested in backsliders. Whatever the fellow does is of no concern to God, hence if you have started the Christian race, never stop until you finish it. It is better never to have tasted Christ at salvation, than to taste Him and backslide. It is better never to own a car than to own a Mercedes Benz for some years but finally be without it. Before the car arrived the fellow could hop from bus to bus, and endure insults and inconveniences while in transit. But after having a car, he adjusts to being more comfortable and responsible. When the car is gone, he becomes irritable. When people step on his toes, tear his dress or is abused by the bus conductor, it can easily bring out his worst emotions. It is the same for backsliders. While in faith, you could trust Jesus for healing; But after backsliding, you will queue up in the hospital.
Whenever backsliders read that doctors are going on strike, they would panic because their only hope is gone. Sometime ago, I read in the newspaper that blood will be scarce in the blood bank. Initially, I ignored it. But later, I thought of it and thanked God for saving my soul. If Jesus is your healer, there will be no cause for alarm even when the most basic drug is out of circulation. I pity those who run to Christ when in trouble, but abandon Him after solving their problem. Some people once brought a man who could not walk, bend, or talk, to a man of God. He prayed and the man was healed. He came and testified of the healing in church. But after a period of absence from church, they paid him a visit. He told the man of God that he was not the one who healed him, but God. The next time I saw him, his state was more deplorable. If you have ever had an encounter with God, there will be no excuse for you on the last day. Stay with Christ. It is not in your interest to backslide. Hold firm to Christ!
ACTION POINT: What back sliders suffer before conversion to Christ is a far cry from their fate after turning their backs on Christ - their only hope
IT WILL BE WORSE
MEMORIZE: "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man drawback, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10:38 )
READ: 1 John 2:15-17
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia , Titus unto Dalmatia ” (2 Timothy 4:10). Today’s reading commands us not to love the world. You cannot love the world and God at the same time. You cannot adopt worldly ways of amassing wealth, receiving promotion or success and remain in God’s Kingdom. Some testimonies shared by some brethren today are very shameful. Somebody comes before the congregation and testifies: “Praise God. I got a contract but along the line the goods were seized. So I had to settle the customs officials concerned and the goods were released. Praise God”. Does that mean that God tolerates bribery and corruption? No. He doesn’t. That glory belongs to you for being worldly wise, or at best to Satan.
Hebrews 10:38-39 says God is not interested in backsliders. Whatever the fellow does is of no concern to God, hence if you have started the Christian race, never stop until you finish it. It is better never to have tasted Christ at salvation, than to taste Him and backslide. It is better never to own a car than to own a Mercedes Benz for some years but finally be without it. Before the car arrived the fellow could hop from bus to bus, and endure insults and inconveniences while in transit. But after having a car, he adjusts to being more comfortable and responsible. When the car is gone, he becomes irritable. When people step on his toes, tear his dress or is abused by the bus conductor, it can easily bring out his worst emotions. It is the same for backsliders. While in faith, you could trust Jesus for healing; But after backsliding, you will queue up in the hospital.
Whenever backsliders read that doctors are going on strike, they would panic because their only hope is gone. Sometime ago, I read in the newspaper that blood will be scarce in the blood bank. Initially, I ignored it. But later, I thought of it and thanked God for saving my soul. If Jesus is your healer, there will be no cause for alarm even when the most basic drug is out of circulation. I pity those who run to Christ when in trouble, but abandon Him after solving their problem. Some people once brought a man who could not walk, bend, or talk, to a man of God. He prayed and the man was healed. He came and testified of the healing in church. But after a period of absence from church, they paid him a visit. He told the man of God that he was not the one who healed him, but God. The next time I saw him, his state was more deplorable. If you have ever had an encounter with God, there will be no excuse for you on the last day. Stay with Christ. It is not in your interest to backslide. Hold firm to Christ!
ACTION POINT: What back sliders suffer before conversion to Christ is a far cry from their fate after turning their backs on Christ - their only hope
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Open Heavens August 17, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Kgs 18-22
AN END TO UGLINESS
MEMORIZE: "Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations" (Isaiah 60:15)
READ: Isaiah 60:11-16
Another lesson from the story of the lame man who was healed in Acts 3:1-11 is that there is a limit to what man can do for you. No human helper can deliver the help he or she does not have. When God appoints helpers for an individual, the nature, scope and volume is clearly define by heaven. Most times, we attempt to pressurize our helpers to produce what they do not have, rather than go to the unlimited Helper (Matthew 19:26). Your pastor, leader, parent or spouse has an amount of help to deliver to you. Any attempt beyond this limit is like milking an ant. You can be sure you will get nothing out of it. Asking your helper to deliver what he does not have amounts to help abuse. It happens when people put a man in God’s place. It can make the offender - help seeker lose on both sides. You should know when you have overstayed your welcome in the house of your helper, or else it will backfire and lead to bad blood (Proverbs 25:17).
Also, although the church where the lame man was daily laid was called Beautiful Gate Parish, it had many ugly problems. This beautiful church was externally decorated with ugliness - sorrow, rejection, stagnancy, poverty, long standing illness, etc. Do you have a beautiful name yet are besieged by ugliness? The Lord will release His beauty into your ugliness this season. Some people have a beautiful spouse, house, car, job or ministry but they are surrounded by lots of ugliness - sorrow, stagnancy, pain, sickness, demonic oppression, suppression and manipulation. If that is your case, the Lord will turn such unpleasant situation around in Jesus’ Name.
“Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations” (Isaiah 60:15). Do you have a handsome husband or beautiful wife but no child? Do you have a fine job but no promotion? Do you have university degrees yet you are rated with lesser qualifications? Do you have a lucrative business but no orders or contracts? Do you have a vibrant ministry but no souls are won to the Lord? Do you pay your tithes yet you are not free from the hands of the devourers? The Lord will put an end to your ugliness. His beauty and glory will swallow up your ugliness. You shall end in joy. An end is coming to your shame and failure this season. The Lord is releasing your blessings to you.
ACTIONPOINT: Father, terminate my ugliness and beautify me with your salvation.
AN END TO UGLINESS
MEMORIZE: "Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations" (Isaiah 60:15)
READ: Isaiah 60:11-16
Another lesson from the story of the lame man who was healed in Acts 3:1-11 is that there is a limit to what man can do for you. No human helper can deliver the help he or she does not have. When God appoints helpers for an individual, the nature, scope and volume is clearly define by heaven. Most times, we attempt to pressurize our helpers to produce what they do not have, rather than go to the unlimited Helper (Matthew 19:26). Your pastor, leader, parent or spouse has an amount of help to deliver to you. Any attempt beyond this limit is like milking an ant. You can be sure you will get nothing out of it. Asking your helper to deliver what he does not have amounts to help abuse. It happens when people put a man in God’s place. It can make the offender - help seeker lose on both sides. You should know when you have overstayed your welcome in the house of your helper, or else it will backfire and lead to bad blood (Proverbs 25:17).
Also, although the church where the lame man was daily laid was called Beautiful Gate Parish, it had many ugly problems. This beautiful church was externally decorated with ugliness - sorrow, rejection, stagnancy, poverty, long standing illness, etc. Do you have a beautiful name yet are besieged by ugliness? The Lord will release His beauty into your ugliness this season. Some people have a beautiful spouse, house, car, job or ministry but they are surrounded by lots of ugliness - sorrow, stagnancy, pain, sickness, demonic oppression, suppression and manipulation. If that is your case, the Lord will turn such unpleasant situation around in Jesus’ Name.
“Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations” (Isaiah 60:15). Do you have a handsome husband or beautiful wife but no child? Do you have a fine job but no promotion? Do you have university degrees yet you are rated with lesser qualifications? Do you have a lucrative business but no orders or contracts? Do you have a vibrant ministry but no souls are won to the Lord? Do you pay your tithes yet you are not free from the hands of the devourers? The Lord will put an end to your ugliness. His beauty and glory will swallow up your ugliness. You shall end in joy. An end is coming to your shame and failure this season. The Lord is releasing your blessings to you.
ACTIONPOINT: Father, terminate my ugliness and beautify me with your salvation.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Open Heavens August 16, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Kgs 15-17
CONSCIOUSNESS IN WORSHIP
MEMORIZE: "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker" (Psalms 95:6)
READ: 2 Samuel 6:16-23
When the ark of the Lord was being returned to the City of David, David sang and out-danced all the others (2 Samuel 6:13-23). God is concerned about your focus and consciousness during praise and worship. While Michal expected King David to be self-conscious, and to carry himself with dignity before his subjects, the king on the contrary was God-focussed. He blanked out on those with him, but was conscious of dancing in the presence of God. Self or people consciousness are robbers of God’s glory during worship. Who you focus on during worship determines where your blessings come from. If you focus on the congregation and decide not to ‘debase’ yourself in their eyes, they would provide the reward for that worship. They would say, ‘You danced gracefully and in a dignified manner. You are indeed a person of honor’. Once you get that from men, God has nothing for you!
“And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honor”(2 Samuel 6:22). David’s response teaches us another lesson. He decided to explore the extreme of humble praise and worship. He told Michal, ‘Are you displeased that I have humbled myself before God in dancing? You have not seen anything yet. Prepare for the worst!’ That should be your response to critics of humble praise. You can either praise God in humility or pride. God keeps a distance from proud worshippers, because they want to rub shoulders with Him, when they are nothing. David realized that the more he-as king of the nation, relegates his reputation and honor before God, the higher God will lift him. Every proud worshipper has pegged his promotion. Some people look down on those who come with their expensive dresses to roll before God’s altar. They are brothers and sisters of Michal!
If the leaders can humbly worship God and lose all sense of honor in God’s presence, it will earn them greater respect even before those they are leading. Any leader who can humbly worship God will be worshiped by everything God has created. Many say, they want to worship God yet they stand straight, arms folded, mouth closed. You do not worship God from the top, but from the bottom, hence men fall at the feet of Jesus to worship Him. If your clothes are too decent to touch the ground in worship, you have not started. How are you worshipping God today? True worship is telling God you are nothing in words, attitude, posture and position, while He is everything. Proud worshippers like Michal get a curse instead of a blessing from God’s presence.
ACTIONPOINT:If you are not prepared to humble yourself in worship, withhold your worship or else you could leave God's presence cursed.
CONSCIOUSNESS IN WORSHIP
MEMORIZE: "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker" (Psalms 95:6)
READ: 2 Samuel 6:16-23
When the ark of the Lord was being returned to the City of David, David sang and out-danced all the others (2 Samuel 6:13-23). God is concerned about your focus and consciousness during praise and worship. While Michal expected King David to be self-conscious, and to carry himself with dignity before his subjects, the king on the contrary was God-focussed. He blanked out on those with him, but was conscious of dancing in the presence of God. Self or people consciousness are robbers of God’s glory during worship. Who you focus on during worship determines where your blessings come from. If you focus on the congregation and decide not to ‘debase’ yourself in their eyes, they would provide the reward for that worship. They would say, ‘You danced gracefully and in a dignified manner. You are indeed a person of honor’. Once you get that from men, God has nothing for you!
“And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honor”(2 Samuel 6:22). David’s response teaches us another lesson. He decided to explore the extreme of humble praise and worship. He told Michal, ‘Are you displeased that I have humbled myself before God in dancing? You have not seen anything yet. Prepare for the worst!’ That should be your response to critics of humble praise. You can either praise God in humility or pride. God keeps a distance from proud worshippers, because they want to rub shoulders with Him, when they are nothing. David realized that the more he-as king of the nation, relegates his reputation and honor before God, the higher God will lift him. Every proud worshipper has pegged his promotion. Some people look down on those who come with their expensive dresses to roll before God’s altar. They are brothers and sisters of Michal!
If the leaders can humbly worship God and lose all sense of honor in God’s presence, it will earn them greater respect even before those they are leading. Any leader who can humbly worship God will be worshiped by everything God has created. Many say, they want to worship God yet they stand straight, arms folded, mouth closed. You do not worship God from the top, but from the bottom, hence men fall at the feet of Jesus to worship Him. If your clothes are too decent to touch the ground in worship, you have not started. How are you worshipping God today? True worship is telling God you are nothing in words, attitude, posture and position, while He is everything. Proud worshippers like Michal get a curse instead of a blessing from God’s presence.
ACTIONPOINT:If you are not prepared to humble yourself in worship, withhold your worship or else you could leave God's presence cursed.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Open Heavens August 15, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Kgs 11-14
TRUTH IS FAITHFULNESS
MEMORIZE: "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me,Write:for these words are true and faithful" (Revelation 21:5)
READ: Jeremiah 42:4-6
“Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us” (Jeremiah 42:5).
Another component of faithfulness is truth. Jeremiah 48:10 pronounces a curse on anyone who introduces elements of deceit into God’s service. Any iota of falsehood in serving God, erodes chances of winning the highly prized faithfulness Award. If you are given an amount to buy something, but keep the change to yourself, you are unfaithful. False declaration of figures makes you unfaithful. If you ask some leaders for the average attendance of their church for a period, they will present the highest figure, instead of summing all the attendance for the period, and dividing by the number of meetings. Anytime you employ lies, the gap between you and faithfulness is wider. If you go about asking members of other churches to join your church instead of seeking unbelievers, even when your attendance increases, you are unfaithful. Faithfulness and Truth are twin brothers and cannot be separated. Hence that is the name of our Lord Jesus (Revelation 19:11).
Similarly, faithfulness is obedience. In today’s reading, a commitment was made to obey God’s instructions whether good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, convenient or otherwise. Anyone who obeys God only when it is convenient can never be faithful. It takes the die-hard believer who is dead to personal preferences to obey God to the letter. Anything short of that falls below the mark of faithfulness. In addition, faithfulness is total commitment of your being to the work at hand. Any full time pastor who steals out in pursuit of personal goals or business, is unfaithful. Faithfulness entails giving yourself 100% to the work. Faithfulness in this sense is diligence. In John 4:32-34, Jesus Christ saw the work of His Father as His food. Several times, He starved Himself of physical food while engaged in the service of His Father. Are you ready to deny yourself some meals just to perform Heaven’s assignment? When last did you sacrifice your breakfast, lunch or dinner just to win a soul, visit new comers or serve God in some other capacity? Jesus blazed the trail in selfless service. How selfless has your service been? You can be a faithful servant of God. You have been created to win that prize. Go ahead and serve God with all your heart today.
ACTIONPOINT:You can only receive Heaven's Award of faithfulness by earning it. Unlike earth, it cannot be obtained through the back door.
TRUTH IS FAITHFULNESS
MEMORIZE: "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me,Write:for these words are true and faithful" (Revelation 21:5)
READ: Jeremiah 42:4-6
“Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us” (Jeremiah 42:5).
Another component of faithfulness is truth. Jeremiah 48:10 pronounces a curse on anyone who introduces elements of deceit into God’s service. Any iota of falsehood in serving God, erodes chances of winning the highly prized faithfulness Award. If you are given an amount to buy something, but keep the change to yourself, you are unfaithful. False declaration of figures makes you unfaithful. If you ask some leaders for the average attendance of their church for a period, they will present the highest figure, instead of summing all the attendance for the period, and dividing by the number of meetings. Anytime you employ lies, the gap between you and faithfulness is wider. If you go about asking members of other churches to join your church instead of seeking unbelievers, even when your attendance increases, you are unfaithful. Faithfulness and Truth are twin brothers and cannot be separated. Hence that is the name of our Lord Jesus (Revelation 19:11).
Similarly, faithfulness is obedience. In today’s reading, a commitment was made to obey God’s instructions whether good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant, convenient or otherwise. Anyone who obeys God only when it is convenient can never be faithful. It takes the die-hard believer who is dead to personal preferences to obey God to the letter. Anything short of that falls below the mark of faithfulness. In addition, faithfulness is total commitment of your being to the work at hand. Any full time pastor who steals out in pursuit of personal goals or business, is unfaithful. Faithfulness entails giving yourself 100% to the work. Faithfulness in this sense is diligence. In John 4:32-34, Jesus Christ saw the work of His Father as His food. Several times, He starved Himself of physical food while engaged in the service of His Father. Are you ready to deny yourself some meals just to perform Heaven’s assignment? When last did you sacrifice your breakfast, lunch or dinner just to win a soul, visit new comers or serve God in some other capacity? Jesus blazed the trail in selfless service. How selfless has your service been? You can be a faithful servant of God. You have been created to win that prize. Go ahead and serve God with all your heart today.
ACTIONPOINT:You can only receive Heaven's Award of faithfulness by earning it. Unlike earth, it cannot be obtained through the back door.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Open Heavens August 14, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Kgs 7-10
THE TARE OF FAMILIARITY
MEMORIZE: "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them" (Mark 6:5)
READ: Mark 6:1-6
The Longman’s Dictionary of Contemporary English defines a tare as the weight of wrapping material with which goods are packed. Tares are also unwanted plants growing in fields of grain, e.g. weed. It says a weed is a wild plant growing where it is not wanted, and therefore prevents crops or garden flowers from growing properly. In spiritual parlance, a tare is a hindrance or anything capable of limiting you. It could take any form - spiritual, physical, financial, intellectual, social, etc. Whatever creates obstruction to progress in your life is a tare. Whatever hinders the move of God in your life or situation is a tare. In Mark 6:1-6, Jesus went with His disciples to His home town - Nazareth . He had done several mighty works in other towns and villages, and decided to extend the same gesture to His town folks.
The Nazarenes were about to record the greatest divine visitation they ever had. That visitation would have brought healing at no cost to all their sick folks. All the sinners in the town were about to be saved. Sorrow was about to be replaced with widespread joy and celebration. Nazareth was about to be Heaven on earth because the Person of Heaven was physically there. But these were not to be! The tares of unbelief and over familiarity hindered these great plans of God for them. Jesus marvelled at the negative power of unbelief in stopping God’s plan. Only a few who refused to have the tare of unbelief got away with minor miracles.
Any time you become too familiar with God, you introduce tares. His power becomes inadequate in bringing your expected change. Taking any meeting for granted-particular one like the Monthly Host Ghost Service, Convention or Congress, robs you of the essence of such a programme. It introduces tares. Never underestimate what God can do through your pastors. Never take anything for granted because you do not know Heaven’s time-table. You cannot tell your day of visitation; Do not allow unbelief to prevent your divine appointment for change. What should endear Jesus to His folks in Nazareth repelled them. They took offense at the presentation of the Carpenter as the solution to their problem. They wondered how the baby who grew under their noses could be the Saviour of the world. Are you taking any matter of the Kingdom for granted? It will bring hindrance to progress. Are you taking God’s Word for granted? If read as a mere routine, it loses its message and power, and leaves you with letters - just letters. Change your attitude today if you sincerely desire a beneficial outcome. Never look down on your pastor because of any limitation in his life.
ACTIONPOINT: According to Proverbs 20:20, dishonoring one's biological or spiritual parents is a major cause for lack of vision. Honor your parents through respect, obedience, providing and caring for them.
THE TARE OF FAMILIARITY
MEMORIZE: "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them" (Mark 6:5)
READ: Mark 6:1-6
The Longman’s Dictionary of Contemporary English defines a tare as the weight of wrapping material with which goods are packed. Tares are also unwanted plants growing in fields of grain, e.g. weed. It says a weed is a wild plant growing where it is not wanted, and therefore prevents crops or garden flowers from growing properly. In spiritual parlance, a tare is a hindrance or anything capable of limiting you. It could take any form - spiritual, physical, financial, intellectual, social, etc. Whatever creates obstruction to progress in your life is a tare. Whatever hinders the move of God in your life or situation is a tare. In Mark 6:1-6, Jesus went with His disciples to His home town - Nazareth . He had done several mighty works in other towns and villages, and decided to extend the same gesture to His town folks.
The Nazarenes were about to record the greatest divine visitation they ever had. That visitation would have brought healing at no cost to all their sick folks. All the sinners in the town were about to be saved. Sorrow was about to be replaced with widespread joy and celebration. Nazareth was about to be Heaven on earth because the Person of Heaven was physically there. But these were not to be! The tares of unbelief and over familiarity hindered these great plans of God for them. Jesus marvelled at the negative power of unbelief in stopping God’s plan. Only a few who refused to have the tare of unbelief got away with minor miracles.
Any time you become too familiar with God, you introduce tares. His power becomes inadequate in bringing your expected change. Taking any meeting for granted-particular one like the Monthly Host Ghost Service, Convention or Congress, robs you of the essence of such a programme. It introduces tares. Never underestimate what God can do through your pastors. Never take anything for granted because you do not know Heaven’s time-table. You cannot tell your day of visitation; Do not allow unbelief to prevent your divine appointment for change. What should endear Jesus to His folks in Nazareth repelled them. They took offense at the presentation of the Carpenter as the solution to their problem. They wondered how the baby who grew under their noses could be the Saviour of the world. Are you taking any matter of the Kingdom for granted? It will bring hindrance to progress. Are you taking God’s Word for granted? If read as a mere routine, it loses its message and power, and leaves you with letters - just letters. Change your attitude today if you sincerely desire a beneficial outcome. Never look down on your pastor because of any limitation in his life.
ACTIONPOINT: According to Proverbs 20:20, dishonoring one's biological or spiritual parents is a major cause for lack of vision. Honor your parents through respect, obedience, providing and caring for them.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Open Heavens August 13, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Kgs 4-6
RECIPIENTS OF ULTIMATE SALVATION
MEMORIZE: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12)
READ: Philippians 2:12-16
“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Revelation 3:1). Who is the one speaking in this passage? It is the God who knows all things. He says: “I know thy works’. He knows everything you have done in the past. He is aware of every detail of what you are presently doing. He also knows what you are planning to do. He knows your dreams, ambitions and thoughts. He is the One that cannot be deceived. Philippians 2:12 says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”.
There are three types of salvation. The first is Instant Salvation. This took place the day you gave your life to Christ. This is the first step in salvation ladder. Matthew 24:13 says of all who have received the instant salvation, it is only those who endure to the end that shall be saved. This is the Ultimate Salvation. It is also the third and final step in the ladder of salvation. But in-between Instant and Ultimate Salvation, Philippians 2:12 says we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This is Progressive Salvation. It is the second step in the salvation ladder and usually the longest. It entails doing everything you can to retain your Instant Salvation. Most of Satan’s efforts are directed at making you lose what you have. You must be ready to resist, fight, avoid, run sometimes, hold tight to what you have, in order to reach the finishing line.
On arrival at the finishing line, you would be asked to produce your Instant Salvation. There you would find many battered, worn and weary. Their shoes have filed, energy lost and physical beauty gone. Yet on arrival at the finishing line, they would reach out for their pockets, and bring out the Instant Salvation baton in exchange for Final Salvation. Their clothes would be changed into a glorious, spotless white garment, with crown on their heads, and they would be ushered into Heaven - the final abode of Ultimate Salvation possessors. Some people would get to the finishing line quite alright, but would be unable to produce their Instant Salvation baton. For that reason, they would end up in hell! Have you received the baton of Instant Salvation? Hold it fast! Never allow anything or anyone to rob you of this priceless treasure. Your eternity depends on it. Hold on to the end.
ACTIONPOINT: When a man dies, he has finished his race. Finishing the race is not all there is - but finishing strong - with your instant Salvation baton. Ask for grace to finish strong.
RECIPIENTS OF ULTIMATE SALVATION
MEMORIZE: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12)
READ: Philippians 2:12-16
“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Revelation 3:1). Who is the one speaking in this passage? It is the God who knows all things. He says: “I know thy works’. He knows everything you have done in the past. He is aware of every detail of what you are presently doing. He also knows what you are planning to do. He knows your dreams, ambitions and thoughts. He is the One that cannot be deceived. Philippians 2:12 says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”.
There are three types of salvation. The first is Instant Salvation. This took place the day you gave your life to Christ. This is the first step in salvation ladder. Matthew 24:13 says of all who have received the instant salvation, it is only those who endure to the end that shall be saved. This is the Ultimate Salvation. It is also the third and final step in the ladder of salvation. But in-between Instant and Ultimate Salvation, Philippians 2:12 says we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This is Progressive Salvation. It is the second step in the salvation ladder and usually the longest. It entails doing everything you can to retain your Instant Salvation. Most of Satan’s efforts are directed at making you lose what you have. You must be ready to resist, fight, avoid, run sometimes, hold tight to what you have, in order to reach the finishing line.
On arrival at the finishing line, you would be asked to produce your Instant Salvation. There you would find many battered, worn and weary. Their shoes have filed, energy lost and physical beauty gone. Yet on arrival at the finishing line, they would reach out for their pockets, and bring out the Instant Salvation baton in exchange for Final Salvation. Their clothes would be changed into a glorious, spotless white garment, with crown on their heads, and they would be ushered into Heaven - the final abode of Ultimate Salvation possessors. Some people would get to the finishing line quite alright, but would be unable to produce their Instant Salvation baton. For that reason, they would end up in hell! Have you received the baton of Instant Salvation? Hold it fast! Never allow anything or anyone to rob you of this priceless treasure. Your eternity depends on it. Hold on to the end.
ACTIONPOINT: When a man dies, he has finished his race. Finishing the race is not all there is - but finishing strong - with your instant Salvation baton. Ask for grace to finish strong.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Open Heavens August 12, 2009
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Kgs 1-3
BREAK BAD COVENANTS
MEMORIZE: "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?" (Isaiah 49:24)
READ: Isaiah 49:24-26
The Holy Communion is a covenant between God and man. It is a bridge linking humanity with divinity. Such a covenant gives you access God’s presence and makes bountiful resources available. Another word for covenant is ‘Testament’. The New Testament means New Covenant. The word ‘Covenant’ symbolizes something with depth, deliberate and mutually consented to by all parties involved. It is a binding agreement to do or refrain from doing a particular thing. It is difficult, if not impossible for a covenant to take place where no relationship exists. Relationship is the basis or foundation on which a covenant is laid. A covenant is a seal on a relationship. There are different types of covenants. Some are between men. Some are between man and demons, while others are between God and man. Covenants could be very strong. Some last a lifetime - for instance the marriage covenant. When a couple enter into marriage, they are bound to a life-long relationship by virtue of the oath of that union. God also appends His seal on such a marriage, hence Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh”.
If you are married but now separated or divorced, you are violating a fundamental life-long covenant. Romans 1:31-32 calls such a fellow a covenant breaker and says the culprit will face God’s eternal judgement. Divorce is forbidden for anyone who is truly saved. While a marriage contract is for a life time, certain contracts can however be broken. If you are in a partnership agreement with an unbeliever, it must be broken. Any contract you enter with anyone who is not in agreement with God affects your covenant with God. Any covenant with demons must be broken, or else you will remain under its yoke even after being saved. A lady was in a covenant with a spirit husband through her parents at a tender age. As a result, the spirit husband kept following and sleeping with her. Almost every night, the demon would come to sleep with her in the university hostel, and the whole place would be messed up and smelling.
She got regularly depressed by this. One day, she gave her life to Christ. But the nasty experience continued. The demon would not let go until she went through deliverance prayers and consciously broke the existing covenant. There are some men who feel sexually aroused by homosexual demons while asleep. Even after they are saved, the demons continue to sexually abuse them until they consciously break such covenants, some of which were a product of ancestral agreements. Are you in any negative covenant? Break it and see a bonafide man of God for deliverance.
ACTIONPOINT:List all bad covenants or agreements you have entered into from birth. Fast and pray for three days and renounce them. See your Pastor for counselling and prayer.
BREAK BAD COVENANTS
MEMORIZE: "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?" (Isaiah 49:24)
READ: Isaiah 49:24-26
The Holy Communion is a covenant between God and man. It is a bridge linking humanity with divinity. Such a covenant gives you access God’s presence and makes bountiful resources available. Another word for covenant is ‘Testament’. The New Testament means New Covenant. The word ‘Covenant’ symbolizes something with depth, deliberate and mutually consented to by all parties involved. It is a binding agreement to do or refrain from doing a particular thing. It is difficult, if not impossible for a covenant to take place where no relationship exists. Relationship is the basis or foundation on which a covenant is laid. A covenant is a seal on a relationship. There are different types of covenants. Some are between men. Some are between man and demons, while others are between God and man. Covenants could be very strong. Some last a lifetime - for instance the marriage covenant. When a couple enter into marriage, they are bound to a life-long relationship by virtue of the oath of that union. God also appends His seal on such a marriage, hence Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh”.
If you are married but now separated or divorced, you are violating a fundamental life-long covenant. Romans 1:31-32 calls such a fellow a covenant breaker and says the culprit will face God’s eternal judgement. Divorce is forbidden for anyone who is truly saved. While a marriage contract is for a life time, certain contracts can however be broken. If you are in a partnership agreement with an unbeliever, it must be broken. Any contract you enter with anyone who is not in agreement with God affects your covenant with God. Any covenant with demons must be broken, or else you will remain under its yoke even after being saved. A lady was in a covenant with a spirit husband through her parents at a tender age. As a result, the spirit husband kept following and sleeping with her. Almost every night, the demon would come to sleep with her in the university hostel, and the whole place would be messed up and smelling.
She got regularly depressed by this. One day, she gave her life to Christ. But the nasty experience continued. The demon would not let go until she went through deliverance prayers and consciously broke the existing covenant. There are some men who feel sexually aroused by homosexual demons while asleep. Even after they are saved, the demons continue to sexually abuse them until they consciously break such covenants, some of which were a product of ancestral agreements. Are you in any negative covenant? Break it and see a bonafide man of God for deliverance.
ACTIONPOINT:List all bad covenants or agreements you have entered into from birth. Fast and pray for three days and renounce them. See your Pastor for counselling and prayer.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Open Heavens August 11, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Kgs 20-22
SLIDING?
MEMORIZE: "And one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42)
READ: Luke 10:38-42
There is no precious gift you acquire that cannot be lost. Anyone who has been saved can also be damned. This means backsliding is possible, although a very dangerous thing to do. Some people believe in the doctrine of eternal security - once saved, forever saved. They say, immediately you confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, it can never be removed, even if you continue in sin - adultery, stealing, lies, etc. Some even go to the extent of saying that before you commit a sin like adultery, notify Jesus in advance that you will talk it over with Him when through. Romans 6:1-2 says.
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” It is possible to fall after salvation or else 1 Corinthians 10:12 would not have warned us. Anyone can fall from grace to grass just like Adam and Eve. The bottom line of Satan’s multifarious schemes, attacks and offers, is to make a believer renounce his or her faith in the Lord. Even in our day, several people have backslidden. They have returned to their vomit. Luke 17:32 says, ‘Remember Lot’s wife’. She was already on the path to safety. She had escaped the danger of Heaven’s inferno. She was not running from danger; The angels of God drove her from it yet after her escape, she perished because she looked back. Why did she look back? She was out of Sodom, but Sodom was still in her. All her treasures were in Sodom and Jesus says your heart is always where your treasure is. Once you are born again, you are separated from the world. If you decide to return to the world, things can never be exactly the same. You will never be at home with the world. Yet, because you backslided, you cannot enter Heaven.
2 Timothy 4:10 says Brother Demas loved this present world and forsook Paul. Abandoning your divine assignment is a mark of backsliding. When you are no more at peace being seen in the company of believers and genuine ministers, it shows you have backslidden. If you have gone to the altar to remove some sacrifices of commitment, dedicated service, and wholesome love for the Master made when newly born-again, you have backslided. If you can no more spend two or three hours in prayer, worship, personal Bible study, or evangelism, it is because you have lost your first love. If the sins you dropped at salvation are back, you have backslidden. Immediately run to Jesus, confess and forsake your sins, and ask God for full restoration. The end of every backslider is the pit of sorrow and destruction. Run far from anyone that will draw you back!
ACTIONPOINT:Father, let me never return to my vomit. If I will backslide and serve Satan tomorrow, call me home a day before my
SLIDING?
MEMORIZE: "And one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42)
READ: Luke 10:38-42
There is no precious gift you acquire that cannot be lost. Anyone who has been saved can also be damned. This means backsliding is possible, although a very dangerous thing to do. Some people believe in the doctrine of eternal security - once saved, forever saved. They say, immediately you confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, it can never be removed, even if you continue in sin - adultery, stealing, lies, etc. Some even go to the extent of saying that before you commit a sin like adultery, notify Jesus in advance that you will talk it over with Him when through. Romans 6:1-2 says.
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” It is possible to fall after salvation or else 1 Corinthians 10:12 would not have warned us. Anyone can fall from grace to grass just like Adam and Eve. The bottom line of Satan’s multifarious schemes, attacks and offers, is to make a believer renounce his or her faith in the Lord. Even in our day, several people have backslidden. They have returned to their vomit. Luke 17:32 says, ‘Remember Lot’s wife’. She was already on the path to safety. She had escaped the danger of Heaven’s inferno. She was not running from danger; The angels of God drove her from it yet after her escape, she perished because she looked back. Why did she look back? She was out of Sodom, but Sodom was still in her. All her treasures were in Sodom and Jesus says your heart is always where your treasure is. Once you are born again, you are separated from the world. If you decide to return to the world, things can never be exactly the same. You will never be at home with the world. Yet, because you backslided, you cannot enter Heaven.
2 Timothy 4:10 says Brother Demas loved this present world and forsook Paul. Abandoning your divine assignment is a mark of backsliding. When you are no more at peace being seen in the company of believers and genuine ministers, it shows you have backslidden. If you have gone to the altar to remove some sacrifices of commitment, dedicated service, and wholesome love for the Master made when newly born-again, you have backslided. If you can no more spend two or three hours in prayer, worship, personal Bible study, or evangelism, it is because you have lost your first love. If the sins you dropped at salvation are back, you have backslidden. Immediately run to Jesus, confess and forsake your sins, and ask God for full restoration. The end of every backslider is the pit of sorrow and destruction. Run far from anyone that will draw you back!
ACTIONPOINT:Father, let me never return to my vomit. If I will backslide and serve Satan tomorrow, call me home a day before my
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Open Heavens August 10, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 114-118
NOT FORSAKEN
MEMORIZE: "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up" (Psalms 27:10)
READ: Acts 3:1-11
The Lord is taking you on a ride to the land of surprise this season. Today’s reading talks of a man who was born lame. We want to learn a few lessons from this story. First, although the man was born lame, he did not die lame. This tells us that anything that has a beginning also has an end. Every problem in your life has an expiry date. Since it started one day, it will surely expire one day. That you were born poor is not an excuse to die poor. If you die poor, it is because you choose to end that way; That was not God’s original plan! God’s plan is to bring the best out of your worst. You must hold on in faith until your problem expires. Between the manufacturing date and expiry date of a problem, stay in the place of faith, and look up to one person - God. As you look up in faith and continually serve, worship and praise Him, irrespective of your challenges, the problem could expire before its programmed date. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 says there is a season for everything. This is your appointed season of change.
The lame man could not move about except when carried by people. His situation made even close family members turn away their faces, yet some people still volunteered to carry him to the temple premises daily. This shows that no matter how deplorable or repulsive your situation may be, God has appointed some helpers to stay with you. If nobody stays to help, God will always be there to do so. When Bartimeaus cried for help, nobody volunteered to assist him. They rather shut him up but the Lord heard his cry. Are you going through a situation where there seems to be no one to help? Be not dismayed, the Lord will help you. He will hear your cry. He will answer your prayer. Call upon Him today. He will surely make a way for you. Hence, David says in Psalms 27:10: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up”. Are you forsaken by your loved ones, friends and neighbors? If you are, rejoice! That automatically qualifies you as a divine project. God will take you up and care for you with His everlasting arms. The Lord will never abandon you. Never allow any situation, trial, lack, denial, disappointment or failure make you forsake your One and only Helper. As long as you have God, situations and conditions have no choice but to adjust in your favor.
ACTIONPOINT: If you love life, keep every gossip and tale bearer at an arms length (Prov. 20:19). Ask God for grace never to divulge secrets to those who will use them against you.
NOT FORSAKEN
MEMORIZE: "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up" (Psalms 27:10)
READ: Acts 3:1-11
The Lord is taking you on a ride to the land of surprise this season. Today’s reading talks of a man who was born lame. We want to learn a few lessons from this story. First, although the man was born lame, he did not die lame. This tells us that anything that has a beginning also has an end. Every problem in your life has an expiry date. Since it started one day, it will surely expire one day. That you were born poor is not an excuse to die poor. If you die poor, it is because you choose to end that way; That was not God’s original plan! God’s plan is to bring the best out of your worst. You must hold on in faith until your problem expires. Between the manufacturing date and expiry date of a problem, stay in the place of faith, and look up to one person - God. As you look up in faith and continually serve, worship and praise Him, irrespective of your challenges, the problem could expire before its programmed date. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 says there is a season for everything. This is your appointed season of change.
The lame man could not move about except when carried by people. His situation made even close family members turn away their faces, yet some people still volunteered to carry him to the temple premises daily. This shows that no matter how deplorable or repulsive your situation may be, God has appointed some helpers to stay with you. If nobody stays to help, God will always be there to do so. When Bartimeaus cried for help, nobody volunteered to assist him. They rather shut him up but the Lord heard his cry. Are you going through a situation where there seems to be no one to help? Be not dismayed, the Lord will help you. He will hear your cry. He will answer your prayer. Call upon Him today. He will surely make a way for you. Hence, David says in Psalms 27:10: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up”. Are you forsaken by your loved ones, friends and neighbors? If you are, rejoice! That automatically qualifies you as a divine project. God will take you up and care for you with His everlasting arms. The Lord will never abandon you. Never allow any situation, trial, lack, denial, disappointment or failure make you forsake your One and only Helper. As long as you have God, situations and conditions have no choice but to adjust in your favor.
ACTIONPOINT: If you love life, keep every gossip and tale bearer at an arms length (Prov. 20:19). Ask God for grace never to divulge secrets to those who will use them against you.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Open Heavens August 9, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 109-113
MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT
MEMORIZE: "And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD" (Isaiah 11:2)
READ: Isaiah 11:1-5
“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). God is a spirit. One of the implications of God as a spirit is the sevenfold manifestation of the Spirit of God. From the above scripture the Holy Spirit has at least seven ways of manifesting His presence in the lives of believers. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 enumerates the gifts of the Holy Spirit which enable believers function adequately in any ministry office. The same Holy Spirit manifests His presence in diverse ways, depending on the desire of the host, the extent to which He is recognized as Lord, and the task or challenge at hand.
Whenever the Spirit of God resides in a man, the product of such natural and supernatural link is extraordinary and miraculous. In Daniel 5:10-12, the link between the Holy Spirit and Daniel was so strong that it produced uncommon wisdom to the extent that ungodly colleagues testified that ‘the spirit of the holy gods’ resided in him. He cannot be hidden. If you say you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, and there is no visible evidence through the Spirit’s manifestation in any of the seven ways, something is amiss in that relationship.
In Genesis 41:30-40, a fusion of the Holy Spirit and a man - Joseph, produced divine counsel to the extent that Pharaoh confessed that the Spirit of God dwells in him. One reason believers and even men of God hardly see the manifestation of the Spirit of counsel in their lives and ministries is because He is only a guest a visitor, not a permanent resident. The Spirit can freely manifest in the lives He is Lord over. Is the Holy Spirit Lord of your life? Ahitophel was one man who allowed the Spirit of counsel to operate in him until he became a highly distinguished counsellor. Today, there is a proliferation of counselors in different fields, yet there is a dearth of spirit-filled, problem-solving counselors, who can be tools of the Holy Spirit. Can you be that vessel that God will make outstanding in counselling ministry?
ACTIONPOINT: Worship the Holy Spirit for an hour today. Ask for a closer walk with Him.
MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT
MEMORIZE: "And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD" (Isaiah 11:2)
READ: Isaiah 11:1-5
“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). God is a spirit. One of the implications of God as a spirit is the sevenfold manifestation of the Spirit of God. From the above scripture the Holy Spirit has at least seven ways of manifesting His presence in the lives of believers. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 enumerates the gifts of the Holy Spirit which enable believers function adequately in any ministry office. The same Holy Spirit manifests His presence in diverse ways, depending on the desire of the host, the extent to which He is recognized as Lord, and the task or challenge at hand.
Whenever the Spirit of God resides in a man, the product of such natural and supernatural link is extraordinary and miraculous. In Daniel 5:10-12, the link between the Holy Spirit and Daniel was so strong that it produced uncommon wisdom to the extent that ungodly colleagues testified that ‘the spirit of the holy gods’ resided in him. He cannot be hidden. If you say you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, and there is no visible evidence through the Spirit’s manifestation in any of the seven ways, something is amiss in that relationship.
In Genesis 41:30-40, a fusion of the Holy Spirit and a man - Joseph, produced divine counsel to the extent that Pharaoh confessed that the Spirit of God dwells in him. One reason believers and even men of God hardly see the manifestation of the Spirit of counsel in their lives and ministries is because He is only a guest a visitor, not a permanent resident. The Spirit can freely manifest in the lives He is Lord over. Is the Holy Spirit Lord of your life? Ahitophel was one man who allowed the Spirit of counsel to operate in him until he became a highly distinguished counsellor. Today, there is a proliferation of counselors in different fields, yet there is a dearth of spirit-filled, problem-solving counselors, who can be tools of the Holy Spirit. Can you be that vessel that God will make outstanding in counselling ministry?
ACTIONPOINT: Worship the Holy Spirit for an hour today. Ask for a closer walk with Him.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Open Heavens August 8, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 106-108
TASTING HEAVEN
MEMORIZE: "Then answered Jesus and said unto them,Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise" (John 5:19)
READ: John 5:17-21
If you truly possess the anointing, you cannot stay alone for too long. Wherever you hide, the anointing will create a path to locate you. The reason some pastors grumble whenever they are transferred, is because they lack anointing. Anointing is a crowd puller. Wherever anointing is present a crowd must gather. Jesus Christ always had problems with crowd control because of the anointing. If you have spiritual sight, you will experience the miraculous.
“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19). There are several benefits from spiritual sight. According to today’s reading, it guides you on Heaven’s candidates for Heaven’s blessings. In a crowd, people are fielded for earthly blessings. As much as you would want certain people to be blessed, it is important to identify those that Heaven is fielding for the blessings. If you can identify them, releasing the blessing upon them will be a work over. Our Lord Jesus Christ laid the example here. He watched His Father heal some people in a crowd by the eyes of His spirit before physically effecting what had been settled in the spirit realm. Through this, He followed Heaven’s preference. If you look with the eyes of your spirit, you will see Heaven’s candidates for blessing. Following this lead guarantees you of success. How sensitive are you to the Holy Spirit? How open are your spiritual eyes?
In every meeting, God fields people for divine touch. But if the leader or pastor is in-sensitive, he will not identify such people, and will become the instrument of loss of blessings. Anything you can see in the spirit realm is possible in the physical realm. With open spiritual eyes, you can also see into the past, and help solve difficult problems like it happened to Daniel (Dan. 2:19,47). While in Lagos , the Lord showed me two of my daughters quarreling in the kitchen. When I visited them and asked why they were quarreling, they were surprised and asked how I knew. You can be away from home yet monitor what goes on at home if your spiritual eyes are open. Ask for the eyes of your spirit to be opened today.
ACTIONPOINT: You can do all things through Christ. Pursue project A - Soul - A - Day and win at least 100 souls this year.
TASTING HEAVEN
MEMORIZE: "Then answered Jesus and said unto them,Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise" (John 5:19)
READ: John 5:17-21
If you truly possess the anointing, you cannot stay alone for too long. Wherever you hide, the anointing will create a path to locate you. The reason some pastors grumble whenever they are transferred, is because they lack anointing. Anointing is a crowd puller. Wherever anointing is present a crowd must gather. Jesus Christ always had problems with crowd control because of the anointing. If you have spiritual sight, you will experience the miraculous.
“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19). There are several benefits from spiritual sight. According to today’s reading, it guides you on Heaven’s candidates for Heaven’s blessings. In a crowd, people are fielded for earthly blessings. As much as you would want certain people to be blessed, it is important to identify those that Heaven is fielding for the blessings. If you can identify them, releasing the blessing upon them will be a work over. Our Lord Jesus Christ laid the example here. He watched His Father heal some people in a crowd by the eyes of His spirit before physically effecting what had been settled in the spirit realm. Through this, He followed Heaven’s preference. If you look with the eyes of your spirit, you will see Heaven’s candidates for blessing. Following this lead guarantees you of success. How sensitive are you to the Holy Spirit? How open are your spiritual eyes?
In every meeting, God fields people for divine touch. But if the leader or pastor is in-sensitive, he will not identify such people, and will become the instrument of loss of blessings. Anything you can see in the spirit realm is possible in the physical realm. With open spiritual eyes, you can also see into the past, and help solve difficult problems like it happened to Daniel (Dan. 2:19,47). While in Lagos , the Lord showed me two of my daughters quarreling in the kitchen. When I visited them and asked why they were quarreling, they were surprised and asked how I knew. You can be away from home yet monitor what goes on at home if your spiritual eyes are open. Ask for the eyes of your spirit to be opened today.
ACTIONPOINT: You can do all things through Christ. Pursue project A - Soul - A - Day and win at least 100 souls this year.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Open Heavens August 7, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 103-105
HOARDED BLESSINGS?
MEMORIZE: "And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease" (Numbers 11:25)
READ: Ezekiel 22:23-31
One lesson from Numbers 11:10-17 is that God is very meticulous about releasing divine deposits. When God needed a man through whom He would raise a nation and bless the world, He began a search until He found Abraham. Each time God needed an intercessor to stand in the gap for God’s heritage, He sought for a man. He found that man in Abraham and Moses yet several times, no one met His requirements. “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none” (Ezekiel 22:30). When God needed a man to deposit His anointing to bless the Israeli people, He found Moses. Has God found you as the intercessor to stand in the gap for family members and loved ones? If there is none to take that place, nothing can withhold God’s judgement when due.
Another lesson is that God deposited His anointing on Moses until the time men were ready to receive it. Then He took from what was in Moses, and distributed to 70 elders. The anointing for wealth has been deposited in a few people for the 70s to tap from. But until they make themselves ready, they would live and die in want of God’s power. Many are still starving today because they are not prepared to receive what God has already released. God will prefer to retain the anointing and gifts in a few that have paid the price, or even let them take it to the grave like Elisha, than release heavenly treasures on swine. God is no violator of His Word. Are you prepared for the anointing?
God transferred the Spirit on Moses to his helpers. For uniformity, this is necessary. While raising helpers for your ministry, God equips them with the Spirit and gifts He has already deposited inside you. This means, if what you have is inadequate, what your helpers would receive would be inadequate. It pays to pay the price for heavenly deposits and treasures! Whatever preparation you make for ministry goes beyond you. Take time to build yourself up by praying regularly in the spirit. Cultivate spirit-based praise and worship, regular study of God’s Word, exposure to healthy Christian literature, praying and fasting, etc. It is what you have that will be transferred to those under you. This is one reason members of a church tend to speak, preach or behave like their leader. Your preparation is not just for you. Pay the ultimate price in preparation!
ACTIONPOINT:
Until you pay the price, your Moses will continue to carry the anointing Heaven has earmarked for you
HOARDED BLESSINGS?
MEMORIZE: "And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease" (Numbers 11:25)
READ: Ezekiel 22:23-31
One lesson from Numbers 11:10-17 is that God is very meticulous about releasing divine deposits. When God needed a man through whom He would raise a nation and bless the world, He began a search until He found Abraham. Each time God needed an intercessor to stand in the gap for God’s heritage, He sought for a man. He found that man in Abraham and Moses yet several times, no one met His requirements. “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none” (Ezekiel 22:30). When God needed a man to deposit His anointing to bless the Israeli people, He found Moses. Has God found you as the intercessor to stand in the gap for family members and loved ones? If there is none to take that place, nothing can withhold God’s judgement when due.
Another lesson is that God deposited His anointing on Moses until the time men were ready to receive it. Then He took from what was in Moses, and distributed to 70 elders. The anointing for wealth has been deposited in a few people for the 70s to tap from. But until they make themselves ready, they would live and die in want of God’s power. Many are still starving today because they are not prepared to receive what God has already released. God will prefer to retain the anointing and gifts in a few that have paid the price, or even let them take it to the grave like Elisha, than release heavenly treasures on swine. God is no violator of His Word. Are you prepared for the anointing?
God transferred the Spirit on Moses to his helpers. For uniformity, this is necessary. While raising helpers for your ministry, God equips them with the Spirit and gifts He has already deposited inside you. This means, if what you have is inadequate, what your helpers would receive would be inadequate. It pays to pay the price for heavenly deposits and treasures! Whatever preparation you make for ministry goes beyond you. Take time to build yourself up by praying regularly in the spirit. Cultivate spirit-based praise and worship, regular study of God’s Word, exposure to healthy Christian literature, praying and fasting, etc. It is what you have that will be transferred to those under you. This is one reason members of a church tend to speak, preach or behave like their leader. Your preparation is not just for you. Pay the ultimate price in preparation!
ACTIONPOINT:
Until you pay the price, your Moses will continue to carry the anointing Heaven has earmarked for you
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Open Heavens August 6, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 100-102
FAULTLESS?
MEMORIZE: "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16)
READ: Luke 1:5-6
In John 6:1-13, after Jesus fed the 5000, He cared about what was left. Verse 12 says, “When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost”. After God has blessed you, He has a plan for the left overs. While some people have no food to eat, some of us are throwing away excess food. This is wrong! It is either you become more prudent in determining what will be enough for you and your family, or you devise a suitable plan for the excess. No waste is allowed in the Kingdom, or else you will be unfaithful to God in the management of resources. Some of us litter the place with broken chairs, tables and machines, whereas with very little money, we can have them fixed, and put into use again. There are some clothes you do not frequently use, which are still okay. You should mend, wash, iron and give them to the needy ones, and in the process obtain more blessings from God. If you must be faithful, you must cultivate the habit of waste to wealth.
Some people are asking God to commit more money into their hands, when they cannot manage the little already given to them. How do you spend your income? How do you spend church money? If you are wasting the few thousands, you will waste the millions when they come. God wants you to first learn how to manage the few thousands, the few congregation members before giving you something more. Another component of faithfulness contained in Daniel 6:1-4 is faultlessness. A faultless person is someone like Daniel: his colleagues could not fault his work. Job was also said to be perfect and upright (Job 1:1). In Luke 1:5-6, Zacharias and his wife were equally blameless. If these people could be faultless and Ephesians 5:27 says we should be spotless and faultless, then it is possible. If you can be faulted in your attitude to the things of God and God’s Word, you are miles away from being faithful. In Acts 24:16, Paul says, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men”.
Being faultless starts from the heart. You will not want to offend or owe God or men. You will not want to do any assignment shoddily. Your conscience is occupied with the right motives. How faultless are you? Can your colleagues fault your work? If yes, you need to work hard towards being blameless. Being spotless is necessary to make Heaven.
ACTIONPOINT: Examine yourself and list areas of errors, shortcomings and shoddiness with regards to ministerial or secular work. Prayerfully expunge them.
FAULTLESS?
MEMORIZE: "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16)
READ: Luke 1:5-6
In John 6:1-13, after Jesus fed the 5000, He cared about what was left. Verse 12 says, “When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost”. After God has blessed you, He has a plan for the left overs. While some people have no food to eat, some of us are throwing away excess food. This is wrong! It is either you become more prudent in determining what will be enough for you and your family, or you devise a suitable plan for the excess. No waste is allowed in the Kingdom, or else you will be unfaithful to God in the management of resources. Some of us litter the place with broken chairs, tables and machines, whereas with very little money, we can have them fixed, and put into use again. There are some clothes you do not frequently use, which are still okay. You should mend, wash, iron and give them to the needy ones, and in the process obtain more blessings from God. If you must be faithful, you must cultivate the habit of waste to wealth.
Some people are asking God to commit more money into their hands, when they cannot manage the little already given to them. How do you spend your income? How do you spend church money? If you are wasting the few thousands, you will waste the millions when they come. God wants you to first learn how to manage the few thousands, the few congregation members before giving you something more. Another component of faithfulness contained in Daniel 6:1-4 is faultlessness. A faultless person is someone like Daniel: his colleagues could not fault his work. Job was also said to be perfect and upright (Job 1:1). In Luke 1:5-6, Zacharias and his wife were equally blameless. If these people could be faultless and Ephesians 5:27 says we should be spotless and faultless, then it is possible. If you can be faulted in your attitude to the things of God and God’s Word, you are miles away from being faithful. In Acts 24:16, Paul says, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men”.
Being faultless starts from the heart. You will not want to offend or owe God or men. You will not want to do any assignment shoddily. Your conscience is occupied with the right motives. How faultless are you? Can your colleagues fault your work? If yes, you need to work hard towards being blameless. Being spotless is necessary to make Heaven.
ACTIONPOINT: Examine yourself and list areas of errors, shortcomings and shoddiness with regards to ministerial or secular work. Prayerfully expunge them.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Open Heavens August 5, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 97-99
BENEFIT FOR EARLY RISERS
MEMORIZE: "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalms 121:4)
READ: Mark 16:1-8
In 2 Kings 6:14-16, Elisha’s servant rose early in the morning to find that they were under a siege. This servant was an early riser. There are lots of benefits for early risers. When you wake up very early you can seek God early. You will appreciate Him for sustaining you until then. You will praise and worship Him, hear His Word, and thereafter bring the day’s activities to His table. Your morning devotion or personal quiet time may not necessarily be too long. Thirty minutes will do, yet if it is well done, you can have great testimonies from it. Like David, every believer should seek God early (Psalms 63:1). Those who seek Him early will most likely find Him (Proverbs 8:17).
Elisha’s servant rose very early, not only to seek God, but also to serve. We are in the last days. The Almighty God is in a hurry. Those who really want to serve Him must be in a hurry. Early risers are first recipients of good news. The Sunday morning of Mark 16:1-8, was pregnant of a great news for all of mankind. It was about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was the early risers - Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene who first received it. God has good news for early risers. Some good news meant to be delivered to us early in the morning, or late at night elude us when we switch off in sleep. Are you prepared to receive early from God?
Another lesson from the siege of the Syrian army is that although they surrounded them throughout the night, they could not attack. God restrains His enemies. Even when your enemies surround you, they will be unable to attack because your God neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalms 121:4). The Psalmist says he is not moved by the size of the enemies that surround him (Psalms 3:6). Have your enemies gathered around you even to your knowledge? Fear not. Your keeper will restrain and paralyze them. Just a little daily sacrifice can make the difference between success and failure for each day. Sleeping four hours daily are enough for a child of destiny. By the time you continue this, your body will become used to it. Some people are afraid to fast. Yet, if you decide to fast daily and skip your breakfast, with time, your body will adjust to the new arrangement. The issue is not whether our bodies can adjust or not, but many of us have not yet decided to be outstanding in life, and to pay the price. Dare to be different?
ACTIONPOINT: The body is an obedient servant of a spirit-led owner, but a terrible master of a flesh dominated boss. What effort have you made to keep your body in check?
BENEFIT FOR EARLY RISERS
MEMORIZE: "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalms 121:4)
READ: Mark 16:1-8
In 2 Kings 6:14-16, Elisha’s servant rose early in the morning to find that they were under a siege. This servant was an early riser. There are lots of benefits for early risers. When you wake up very early you can seek God early. You will appreciate Him for sustaining you until then. You will praise and worship Him, hear His Word, and thereafter bring the day’s activities to His table. Your morning devotion or personal quiet time may not necessarily be too long. Thirty minutes will do, yet if it is well done, you can have great testimonies from it. Like David, every believer should seek God early (Psalms 63:1). Those who seek Him early will most likely find Him (Proverbs 8:17).
Elisha’s servant rose very early, not only to seek God, but also to serve. We are in the last days. The Almighty God is in a hurry. Those who really want to serve Him must be in a hurry. Early risers are first recipients of good news. The Sunday morning of Mark 16:1-8, was pregnant of a great news for all of mankind. It was about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was the early risers - Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene who first received it. God has good news for early risers. Some good news meant to be delivered to us early in the morning, or late at night elude us when we switch off in sleep. Are you prepared to receive early from God?
Another lesson from the siege of the Syrian army is that although they surrounded them throughout the night, they could not attack. God restrains His enemies. Even when your enemies surround you, they will be unable to attack because your God neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalms 121:4). The Psalmist says he is not moved by the size of the enemies that surround him (Psalms 3:6). Have your enemies gathered around you even to your knowledge? Fear not. Your keeper will restrain and paralyze them. Just a little daily sacrifice can make the difference between success and failure for each day. Sleeping four hours daily are enough for a child of destiny. By the time you continue this, your body will become used to it. Some people are afraid to fast. Yet, if you decide to fast daily and skip your breakfast, with time, your body will adjust to the new arrangement. The issue is not whether our bodies can adjust or not, but many of us have not yet decided to be outstanding in life, and to pay the price. Dare to be different?
ACTIONPOINT: The body is an obedient servant of a spirit-led owner, but a terrible master of a flesh dominated boss. What effort have you made to keep your body in check?
Monday, August 4, 2008
Open Heavens August 4, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 94-96
TASTING HEAVEN
MEMORIZE: "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven :"( Acts 9:3)
READ: Acts 9:1-9
Have you been experiencing sorrow, pain, disgrace and disappointments? Have you questioned the love of Christ because of the circumstances you find yourself? Are you saying, If God does not intervene in my situation now, it may be too late? The Lord will give you a taste of Heaven. The bitterness of sorrow will soon be replaced with the joy of Heaven. Why? Hebrews 4:14-15 says our High Priest - the Lord Jesus Christ feels exactly what you feel. He is touched by what touches you. He is not like the ruler who forgets others when surrounded by comfort and affluence in the midst of millions living in squalor. He knows what it means to be in want. He knows how it feels to be rejected, oppressed, denied, hated by those you love and misunderstood. He was there. He will make a way for you. When you have a taste of Heaven, your personal prophecy comes to pass. When you have a taste of Heaven, you contact the Prophet all other prophets hear from. In addition, when you have a taste of Heaven by touching the High Priest, you will become a priest.
That means just as the woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus and was healed, any sick fellow who touches you will be healed (Mark 16:17-18). If the sick cannot be healed under your ministry, it is doubtful if you have really touched the High Priest. If you have, it will show. You will become Heaven on earth. Wherever you go, you will bring Heaven into every unpleasant situation. If you are a bonafide Christian, this should be your testimony as signs and wonders will follow you like Paul (Acts 19:11-12).
If you have a taste of Heaven, you will have a new name. Saul had an encounter with Heaven on his way to Damascus, and his name changed to Paul. His hobby and passion also changed from persecuting the church to promoting it. His destiny changed. He was heading for hell, but started journeying to Heaven. His companions changed. His profession changed from Lawyer to Evangelist. He became the Apostle of apostles just from one taste of Heaven! You will have a bite from Heaven that will change your entire life this season. Every negative name problems have given you without your permission, shall be changed today in Jesus’ Name. That situation causing pain and sorrow in your life and family is terminated now. Heaven is coming into your situation. Praise God, love and serve Him faithfully.
ACTIONPOINT: Reject every negative report given to you in Jesus' Name. Ask God to give you a taste of Heaven in such areas today.
TASTING HEAVEN
MEMORIZE: "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven :"( Acts 9:3)
READ: Acts 9:1-9
Have you been experiencing sorrow, pain, disgrace and disappointments? Have you questioned the love of Christ because of the circumstances you find yourself? Are you saying, If God does not intervene in my situation now, it may be too late? The Lord will give you a taste of Heaven. The bitterness of sorrow will soon be replaced with the joy of Heaven. Why? Hebrews 4:14-15 says our High Priest - the Lord Jesus Christ feels exactly what you feel. He is touched by what touches you. He is not like the ruler who forgets others when surrounded by comfort and affluence in the midst of millions living in squalor. He knows what it means to be in want. He knows how it feels to be rejected, oppressed, denied, hated by those you love and misunderstood. He was there. He will make a way for you. When you have a taste of Heaven, your personal prophecy comes to pass. When you have a taste of Heaven, you contact the Prophet all other prophets hear from. In addition, when you have a taste of Heaven by touching the High Priest, you will become a priest.
That means just as the woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus and was healed, any sick fellow who touches you will be healed (Mark 16:17-18). If the sick cannot be healed under your ministry, it is doubtful if you have really touched the High Priest. If you have, it will show. You will become Heaven on earth. Wherever you go, you will bring Heaven into every unpleasant situation. If you are a bonafide Christian, this should be your testimony as signs and wonders will follow you like Paul (Acts 19:11-12).
If you have a taste of Heaven, you will have a new name. Saul had an encounter with Heaven on his way to Damascus, and his name changed to Paul. His hobby and passion also changed from persecuting the church to promoting it. His destiny changed. He was heading for hell, but started journeying to Heaven. His companions changed. His profession changed from Lawyer to Evangelist. He became the Apostle of apostles just from one taste of Heaven! You will have a bite from Heaven that will change your entire life this season. Every negative name problems have given you without your permission, shall be changed today in Jesus’ Name. That situation causing pain and sorrow in your life and family is terminated now. Heaven is coming into your situation. Praise God, love and serve Him faithfully.
ACTIONPOINT: Reject every negative report given to you in Jesus' Name. Ask God to give you a taste of Heaven in such areas today.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Open Heavens August 3, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Thess 1-3
PRICE FOR KNOWING HIM
MEMORIZE: "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:8)
READ: Philippians 3:4-9
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Philippians 3:7).There is a price for knowing Christ. There is nothing precious or valuable that comes cheap. Salvation is the most expensive thing in the world, yet it is offered free because Jesus paid for it. Sand is all over the place hence nobody fights for it. But if somebody was to spread N1000 notes on the road, people will scramble for them, even some pastors. Knowledge is power and good knowledge is good power. If you know less, you cannot possess much power. When asked to study God’s Word and read healthy Christian books, many refuse because they think they are doing you a favor; Whereas, it is to empower them the more. It costs to know Him. If you are not ready to pay the price, you may never know Him. While approaching 40, the Lord showed me two graphs.
One went up like a mountain while the other went down like a valley. The former meant that you have reached your peak at 40, henceforth, you will descend. The valley-like graph on the other hand meant that you are at your lowest at 40: henceforth, you will ascend. He asked me to choose one, and I picked the latter. Then the Lord said, ‘In that case, everything you have from this moment will be reduced to zero so that you can begin a fresh climb’. I had treasured my Ph.D. in Mathematics because it took me 27 years to acquire it. That very day, I gave it up. That was the day I became a pastor in the sense of the word. I even volunteered to be known and addressed as ‘Brother’ but He asked me to retain ‘Pastor’ so that people can know my calling. What price are you ready to pay to know Him? Paul gave up everything that meant anything to him just to be able to know Him.
Do you want to know Him? Knowing Him makes all the difference on earth and in Heaven. Are you still pursuing money, title, fame, your rights, etc.? All these may have to go if you really want to know Him. By the time the Lord asked me to go on full time service, I was a key player in the Mathematics department of the university. Besides other allowances, my income was about N2000 per month. Leaving all that to become the General Overseer of a church whose entire monthly income was N6000 was very unattractive. In fact, after paying the few pastors, there was virtually nothing left for me. Yet I obeyed hoping that I will fall back on my gratuity from the university. When I discussed it with Him, He asked me to share the gratuity into three and give to three different people, and that He will become my source. Sometimes I needed just N2 as toll fare to go from the camp ground to Lagos with my wife, but didn’t have it. I would console my wife by saying, ‘Maybe there is an accident on the way’. What are you ready to give up to know Him?
ACTIONPOINT:Proverbs 20:17 says Acquiring possessions, pleasure, promotion or any good thing through falsehood appears pleasant and easy but later, it becomes a bitter disappointment.
PRICE FOR KNOWING HIM
MEMORIZE: "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:8)
READ: Philippians 3:4-9
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Philippians 3:7).There is a price for knowing Christ. There is nothing precious or valuable that comes cheap. Salvation is the most expensive thing in the world, yet it is offered free because Jesus paid for it. Sand is all over the place hence nobody fights for it. But if somebody was to spread N1000 notes on the road, people will scramble for them, even some pastors. Knowledge is power and good knowledge is good power. If you know less, you cannot possess much power. When asked to study God’s Word and read healthy Christian books, many refuse because they think they are doing you a favor; Whereas, it is to empower them the more. It costs to know Him. If you are not ready to pay the price, you may never know Him. While approaching 40, the Lord showed me two graphs.
One went up like a mountain while the other went down like a valley. The former meant that you have reached your peak at 40, henceforth, you will descend. The valley-like graph on the other hand meant that you are at your lowest at 40: henceforth, you will ascend. He asked me to choose one, and I picked the latter. Then the Lord said, ‘In that case, everything you have from this moment will be reduced to zero so that you can begin a fresh climb’. I had treasured my Ph.D. in Mathematics because it took me 27 years to acquire it. That very day, I gave it up. That was the day I became a pastor in the sense of the word. I even volunteered to be known and addressed as ‘Brother’ but He asked me to retain ‘Pastor’ so that people can know my calling. What price are you ready to pay to know Him? Paul gave up everything that meant anything to him just to be able to know Him.
Do you want to know Him? Knowing Him makes all the difference on earth and in Heaven. Are you still pursuing money, title, fame, your rights, etc.? All these may have to go if you really want to know Him. By the time the Lord asked me to go on full time service, I was a key player in the Mathematics department of the university. Besides other allowances, my income was about N2000 per month. Leaving all that to become the General Overseer of a church whose entire monthly income was N6000 was very unattractive. In fact, after paying the few pastors, there was virtually nothing left for me. Yet I obeyed hoping that I will fall back on my gratuity from the university. When I discussed it with Him, He asked me to share the gratuity into three and give to three different people, and that He will become my source. Sometimes I needed just N2 as toll fare to go from the camp ground to Lagos with my wife, but didn’t have it. I would console my wife by saying, ‘Maybe there is an accident on the way’. What are you ready to give up to know Him?
ACTIONPOINT:Proverbs 20:17 says Acquiring possessions, pleasure, promotion or any good thing through falsehood appears pleasant and easy but later, it becomes a bitter disappointment.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Open Heavens August 2, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Lam 3-6
RAISING REBELS?
MEMORIZE: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6)
READ: Luke 15:11-32
“And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living” (Luke 15:13). The prodigal son left the family house for an unknown destination. Like Abraham, he had faith. It takes faith to leave the known for the unknown. It takes faith to leave your comfortable, familiar terrain for an unknown one. Anyone God will use in a mighty way must be ready to follow God blindly. Many times, God provides directions in bits and pieces, and deliberately withholds the remaining information. In Genesis 12:1-3, He asked Abraham to leave his known terrain for an undisclosed location. And he obeyed. Today, some believers receive a similar instruction, but refuse to obey God until they know where they are going. That clearly tells God the extent He can use such people. Anyone who is unwilling to obey God absolutely is living in unbelief and doubt; That act is enough to separate the fellow from Heaven’s blessings.
Another thing we learn from this parable is that when the younger son ventured into the world, he wasted his resources. His attempt met with failure, yet he refused to give up. He took up the least job but retained his hope. Whenever you meet with failure in business, academics, or ministry, never give up. Failing in an attempt is not the same as failing in life. Never confuse both. That you made an unsuccessful attempt does not make you a failure. Resigning yourself to fate or that state of hopelessness, is what makes you a failure. In every failed attempt, there is a lesson. This is why some of the best instructors on success today are those who have transversed different wrongs on the ladder of failure. Anyone who has ever failed is a potential success. The prodigal son lost his wealth to riotous living.
Parents must be very careful how they raise their children. If all you do is issue stern commands: ‘Don’t do this’, ‘Don’t do that’, you may be painting a picture of denial before your children or wards. When children feel denied, it graduates into resistance, which culminates into rebellion when they have the opportunity of going into the free world. Then they will experiment what they have been denied all along. Children of Christian leaders are common victims here. But if you take time to train them teach them what is wrong from God’s Word, and why they are bad, the consequences of such actions particularly from God, and what they stand to gain from God for avoiding such vices, together with examples from the Bible and from people around you, you will succeed in inculcating the fear of God that will keep your children in check even when they are separated from you. Raise godly children, not rebels!
ACTIONPOINT: It is what parents deposit in their children that they will exhibit outside.Whether your inputs will produce godly seeds or rebels depends on content of inputs.
RAISING REBELS?
MEMORIZE: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6)
READ: Luke 15:11-32
“And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living” (Luke 15:13). The prodigal son left the family house for an unknown destination. Like Abraham, he had faith. It takes faith to leave the known for the unknown. It takes faith to leave your comfortable, familiar terrain for an unknown one. Anyone God will use in a mighty way must be ready to follow God blindly. Many times, God provides directions in bits and pieces, and deliberately withholds the remaining information. In Genesis 12:1-3, He asked Abraham to leave his known terrain for an undisclosed location. And he obeyed. Today, some believers receive a similar instruction, but refuse to obey God until they know where they are going. That clearly tells God the extent He can use such people. Anyone who is unwilling to obey God absolutely is living in unbelief and doubt; That act is enough to separate the fellow from Heaven’s blessings.
Another thing we learn from this parable is that when the younger son ventured into the world, he wasted his resources. His attempt met with failure, yet he refused to give up. He took up the least job but retained his hope. Whenever you meet with failure in business, academics, or ministry, never give up. Failing in an attempt is not the same as failing in life. Never confuse both. That you made an unsuccessful attempt does not make you a failure. Resigning yourself to fate or that state of hopelessness, is what makes you a failure. In every failed attempt, there is a lesson. This is why some of the best instructors on success today are those who have transversed different wrongs on the ladder of failure. Anyone who has ever failed is a potential success. The prodigal son lost his wealth to riotous living.
Parents must be very careful how they raise their children. If all you do is issue stern commands: ‘Don’t do this’, ‘Don’t do that’, you may be painting a picture of denial before your children or wards. When children feel denied, it graduates into resistance, which culminates into rebellion when they have the opportunity of going into the free world. Then they will experiment what they have been denied all along. Children of Christian leaders are common victims here. But if you take time to train them teach them what is wrong from God’s Word, and why they are bad, the consequences of such actions particularly from God, and what they stand to gain from God for avoiding such vices, together with examples from the Bible and from people around you, you will succeed in inculcating the fear of God that will keep your children in check even when they are separated from you. Raise godly children, not rebels!
ACTIONPOINT: It is what parents deposit in their children that they will exhibit outside.Whether your inputs will produce godly seeds or rebels depends on content of inputs.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Open Heavens August 1, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Lam 1-2
OPEN MY EYES
MEMORIZE: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Psalms 119:18)
READ: 2 Kings 6:13-17
Elisha’s servant rose one morning to go out. As he lifted his eyes, he saw that the Syrian army had surrounded them. Out of fright, he ran back to report to his master. Elisha told him not to panic because the forces on their side outnumbered their enemies. The physical eyes of Elisha’s servant were opened, but his spiritual eyes were shut. Usually, the physical situation speaks of a problem, while the spiritual situation speaks of a solution. If you are always seeing the physical, but never seeing the spiritual, you will be far from solutions. There is always a spiritual version of a physical situation. If you can see the spiritual, you will not fear the physical. Those whose spiritual eyes are open, always see the solution right within the problem. If your spiritual eyes are always open, not only will your problems be solved, you will become an answer to the problems of others. Ask God to open the eyes of your spirit man today.
While Elisha’s servant was panicking, Elisha was leisurely rocking away. What makes the difference between the fearless and the fearful, the problem-ridden and the problem solver are what they see and how they see them. If you can see into the spiritual realm, it is easier to deal with demons and deliver the oppressed. The Lord gave a brother a vision concerning his very bossy and corky senior pastor. He saw an animal like a monkey sitting on the pastor. That was the spirit of pride that controlled him. In such a situation, it is easy to deal with the spirit. You can address it specifically because you can see it. Do you know some demons laugh at those trying to deliver their victims? How you address them will tell whether you have seen them or not. If the demons are many, with spiritual eyes, you will be able to determine if any demon is still lurking somewhere after deliverance.
Believers with spiritual sight are in charge. Usually, they would have seen their spouse, church building design, membership explosion, financial breakthrough, new location, enemy operations, etc. in the spirit realm, which will guide them on how to relate with the subject matter in the physical plane. Demons are liars. During deliverance, some people ask, ‘How many are you? What is your name, where do you come from, Who is your leader?’ etc. They will deceive you because they believe you just want to be entertained. But if your spiritual eyes are open, you will have such information and more. Are the eyes of your spirit opened? Do you see events concerning your life, family, work as they transpire in the spirit realm? Ask God to open your eyes to see behind the scene activities.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask that God will open the eyes of all our pastors in every church. Pray that your spiritual eyes be opened.
OPEN MY EYES
MEMORIZE: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Psalms 119:18)
READ: 2 Kings 6:13-17
Elisha’s servant rose one morning to go out. As he lifted his eyes, he saw that the Syrian army had surrounded them. Out of fright, he ran back to report to his master. Elisha told him not to panic because the forces on their side outnumbered their enemies. The physical eyes of Elisha’s servant were opened, but his spiritual eyes were shut. Usually, the physical situation speaks of a problem, while the spiritual situation speaks of a solution. If you are always seeing the physical, but never seeing the spiritual, you will be far from solutions. There is always a spiritual version of a physical situation. If you can see the spiritual, you will not fear the physical. Those whose spiritual eyes are open, always see the solution right within the problem. If your spiritual eyes are always open, not only will your problems be solved, you will become an answer to the problems of others. Ask God to open the eyes of your spirit man today.
While Elisha’s servant was panicking, Elisha was leisurely rocking away. What makes the difference between the fearless and the fearful, the problem-ridden and the problem solver are what they see and how they see them. If you can see into the spiritual realm, it is easier to deal with demons and deliver the oppressed. The Lord gave a brother a vision concerning his very bossy and corky senior pastor. He saw an animal like a monkey sitting on the pastor. That was the spirit of pride that controlled him. In such a situation, it is easy to deal with the spirit. You can address it specifically because you can see it. Do you know some demons laugh at those trying to deliver their victims? How you address them will tell whether you have seen them or not. If the demons are many, with spiritual eyes, you will be able to determine if any demon is still lurking somewhere after deliverance.
Believers with spiritual sight are in charge. Usually, they would have seen their spouse, church building design, membership explosion, financial breakthrough, new location, enemy operations, etc. in the spirit realm, which will guide them on how to relate with the subject matter in the physical plane. Demons are liars. During deliverance, some people ask, ‘How many are you? What is your name, where do you come from, Who is your leader?’ etc. They will deceive you because they believe you just want to be entertained. But if your spiritual eyes are open, you will have such information and more. Are the eyes of your spirit opened? Do you see events concerning your life, family, work as they transpire in the spirit realm? Ask God to open your eyes to see behind the scene activities.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask that God will open the eyes of all our pastors in every church. Pray that your spiritual eyes be opened.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)