BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezra 8-10
CAUGHT UNAWARES?
MEMORIZE: "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4)
READ: John 9:1-5
Hebrews 9:27 says there is an appointment with death. There are two very crucial appointment for everyone on earth: appointment with death and appointment with life. If you keep the appointment with life, the appointment with death can be waived (through rapture) or turned into a glorious event - a door ushering you into eternal bliss. But if you fail to keep the appointment with life, appointment with death becomes inevitable. For such a fellow, that appointment becomes the door leading to his or her worst real nightmare for all eternity. John 1:4 says, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men”. Jesus Christ is our physical life. He is also our spiritual life. 1 John 5:11 says, “And this is the record, That God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son”. If you keep an appointment with Jesus Christ - the Life, by confessing and forsaking your sins and receiving Him into your heart as Lord, you will both access physical and eternal life. Anyone who has not received Jesus in this fashion has no life.
Receive Jesus Christ today! “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). The inevitability of death should prop serious minded Christians to sobriety, righteousness and speed in all they do for the Kingdom of God. Each passing day draws us closer to the appointment with death. The night is fast approaching. What have you accomplished for God’s Kingdom? You cannot continue to procrastinate. Some believers die and go to Heaven earlier than expected. A good number of them are lamenting about their inability to fulfill their earthly mandates. You may not know when your time is up. Jesus lived for 331/2 years and His time was up. He had just three and a half years to do all He did: yet He left nothing undone! When Joshua was old and his time was up, he had several things pending. Do you know you will be judged for all you failed to do? While you still have some time, swing into action. Occupy for the Lord now. All those things you have promised to do to enhance God’s Kingdom, go ahead and do them now. Start to evangelize now. Plan out your personal evangelism strategy. Win souls and lead them to your church to be discipled for the Kingdom. That pending restitution must be done. Pay all pending tithes, offerings and vows. Reconcile with those who have offended you. Prepare for Christ’s coming as if it will be today. And it could be. Night is coming: don’t be caught unawares!
ACTIONPOINT: Jesus was in a hurry to do all God wanted Him to because He knew His time was short. Many of us are working with no sense of time
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Open Heavens September 29, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezra 5-7
A NEW CHAPTER
MEMORIZE: "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and river in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19)
READ: Exodus 12:2-12
“Othe depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Romans 11:33). God has unlimited ways of bringing about a new era. Usually, whatever method He chooses for a particular situation is done on purpose. This is why we may not have to dictate our preferred method, but just ask Him to turn things around. God could have delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage of over 400 years by several other means. But He chose to do so in a most remarkable way-the Passover. The Passover is an ideal way of illustrating what a new era is about. Until the Passover, God’s children lived in a large prison yard - Egypt. But God said that month would be the beginning of months for them. By this, He was aquainting them with the coming change- that the old era was coming to an end, and a new one was taking off that month.
When writing a script, it is normal to start from the beginning, proceed to the middle and conclude at the terminal point of the story. God’s scripts are however written differently. Instead of a single beginning, He can introduce as many beginnings as He likes while writing the story of a man. He can choose to close certain chapters, remove certain characters, introduce Himself in some impossible scenarios, discontinue a pertinent negative trend, just to give a desired end to a story. At 80, Moses had thought the story of his life had come to an end. He sighed with regret how an educated prince and heir apparent to the throne of Egypt could end up in exile, as a shepherd with no future! When he gave up on his life and thought the concluding chapter was being written concerning him, God introduced another beginning and suddenly, everything changed. He became a god to Pharaoh and was divinely empowered to judge Egypt and lead the children of Israel out of 430 years of bondage.
Have people written you off? Have men written the concluding story of your life? Have you written off yourself? Don’t lose hope. The Lord is introducing a new chapter into your life. That new beginning is going to turn your sorrow into joy, weeping into celebration. The Lord is giving your family a new lease of life. He is closing the sad and sorrow-ridden chapters of your story line because He is the Potter. Just yield to Him completely. Stop struggling with Him. Do what makes Him happy and serve Him with all your heart.
ACTIONPOINT: Worship the Lord for all your years on earth. Ask Him to begin a new chapter in your life today
A NEW CHAPTER
MEMORIZE: "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and river in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19)
READ: Exodus 12:2-12
“Othe depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Romans 11:33). God has unlimited ways of bringing about a new era. Usually, whatever method He chooses for a particular situation is done on purpose. This is why we may not have to dictate our preferred method, but just ask Him to turn things around. God could have delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage of over 400 years by several other means. But He chose to do so in a most remarkable way-the Passover. The Passover is an ideal way of illustrating what a new era is about. Until the Passover, God’s children lived in a large prison yard - Egypt. But God said that month would be the beginning of months for them. By this, He was aquainting them with the coming change- that the old era was coming to an end, and a new one was taking off that month.
When writing a script, it is normal to start from the beginning, proceed to the middle and conclude at the terminal point of the story. God’s scripts are however written differently. Instead of a single beginning, He can introduce as many beginnings as He likes while writing the story of a man. He can choose to close certain chapters, remove certain characters, introduce Himself in some impossible scenarios, discontinue a pertinent negative trend, just to give a desired end to a story. At 80, Moses had thought the story of his life had come to an end. He sighed with regret how an educated prince and heir apparent to the throne of Egypt could end up in exile, as a shepherd with no future! When he gave up on his life and thought the concluding chapter was being written concerning him, God introduced another beginning and suddenly, everything changed. He became a god to Pharaoh and was divinely empowered to judge Egypt and lead the children of Israel out of 430 years of bondage.
Have people written you off? Have men written the concluding story of your life? Have you written off yourself? Don’t lose hope. The Lord is introducing a new chapter into your life. That new beginning is going to turn your sorrow into joy, weeping into celebration. The Lord is giving your family a new lease of life. He is closing the sad and sorrow-ridden chapters of your story line because He is the Potter. Just yield to Him completely. Stop struggling with Him. Do what makes Him happy and serve Him with all your heart.
ACTIONPOINT: Worship the Lord for all your years on earth. Ask Him to begin a new chapter in your life today
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Open Heavens September 28, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezra 1-4
TRUTH LIBERATES
MEMORIZE: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient" (Romans 1:28)
READ: Romans 1:24-28
“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” (Luke 15:17). When things were no longer working for the prodigal son, he “came to himself”. He sat himself down and reasoned. He talked to himself. It was one moment of sober reflection. He compared his father’s servants with his state in a far country and saw several differences. The fact that he decided to tell himself the truth eventually got him off the hook. It is important to tell yourself the truth. Many people are still reveling in an ocean of lies and vanity. When will you tell yourself the truth? Some people are so used to lying that they have began to believe their lies.
There are several lies people have believed today. In fact, many have patterned their lives after such falsehood. One of them is that if you do not become financially wealthy, you have failed in life. You can be wealthy or materially successful but be a failure (James 5:1-6). Another lie is that the end justifies the means. If you adopt a foul means to achieve your ends, you will be building a mansion without a foundation. It will surely crumble. Some politicians think they are smart when they rig and get involved in all manner of election malpractices in order to be declared winner. No, they are not. Such people are not to be envied, but pitied because their evil will catch up with them. Another lie is that if you are smart enough, a crime can be covered for life. There is nothing hidden that shall not come to light. It is a matter of time! What are the lies you are living by? They will destroy you if you do not discard them today.
The prodigal son compared his past and present conditions and saw that the past was far better. Inability to compare past life outside Christ with present life in Christ is largely responsible for instability of the faith of many Christians. A young student in a boarding school was pressed down by witches and wizards every night to the extent that he began to jump from bed to bed, hostel to hostel, in a bid to avoid his enemies. He tried different things which never worked. He lived in perpetual fear until one day he gave his life to Christ. From that time, his enemies began to dread him. Such a person would never consider leaving Christ when he knows what he left behind. Are you born again? Have you been enticed to go back from following the Lord? Take stock of your past life of fear, intimidation, oppression, rejection and satanic manipulation, etc., and compare it with the benefits you have in Christ. One is definitely better!
ACTIONPOINT: When a liar begins to lie to himself; he has reached a point of no return. Ask God for the grace to be truthful to yourself.
TRUTH LIBERATES
MEMORIZE: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient" (Romans 1:28)
READ: Romans 1:24-28
“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” (Luke 15:17). When things were no longer working for the prodigal son, he “came to himself”. He sat himself down and reasoned. He talked to himself. It was one moment of sober reflection. He compared his father’s servants with his state in a far country and saw several differences. The fact that he decided to tell himself the truth eventually got him off the hook. It is important to tell yourself the truth. Many people are still reveling in an ocean of lies and vanity. When will you tell yourself the truth? Some people are so used to lying that they have began to believe their lies.
There are several lies people have believed today. In fact, many have patterned their lives after such falsehood. One of them is that if you do not become financially wealthy, you have failed in life. You can be wealthy or materially successful but be a failure (James 5:1-6). Another lie is that the end justifies the means. If you adopt a foul means to achieve your ends, you will be building a mansion without a foundation. It will surely crumble. Some politicians think they are smart when they rig and get involved in all manner of election malpractices in order to be declared winner. No, they are not. Such people are not to be envied, but pitied because their evil will catch up with them. Another lie is that if you are smart enough, a crime can be covered for life. There is nothing hidden that shall not come to light. It is a matter of time! What are the lies you are living by? They will destroy you if you do not discard them today.
The prodigal son compared his past and present conditions and saw that the past was far better. Inability to compare past life outside Christ with present life in Christ is largely responsible for instability of the faith of many Christians. A young student in a boarding school was pressed down by witches and wizards every night to the extent that he began to jump from bed to bed, hostel to hostel, in a bid to avoid his enemies. He tried different things which never worked. He lived in perpetual fear until one day he gave his life to Christ. From that time, his enemies began to dread him. Such a person would never consider leaving Christ when he knows what he left behind. Are you born again? Have you been enticed to go back from following the Lord? Take stock of your past life of fear, intimidation, oppression, rejection and satanic manipulation, etc., and compare it with the benefits you have in Christ. One is definitely better!
ACTIONPOINT: When a liar begins to lie to himself; he has reached a point of no return. Ask God for the grace to be truthful to yourself.
Open Heavens September 27, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chron 33-36
FEAR FORBIDDEN
MEMORIZE: "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine" (Isaiah 43:1)
READ: Isaiah 43:1-3
In 2 Kings 6:15, Elisha’s servant, confronted by the invading Syrian army cried out “Alas my Master! How shall we do?” In the face of trouble he turned to his master. We all turn to someone or something in times of trouble. Some turn to witch doctors and some to idols. Some take refuge in cults and secret societies, etc. Idols and demons fail you when you need them most (1 Kings 18:26-29). It is foolhardy to look up to someone who cannot help you in time of trouble. There are those who turn to man when in trouble; but the scripture says vain is the help of man. Confidence in the ability of a man in time of trouble puts you under a curse. If God does not allow that man to pray for you, that will be the end of the fellow. The worshippers of Dagon saw the helplessness of their god (1 Samuel 5:2-5). Turn away from dumb idols!
Elisha’s servant said, “My Master” and not ‘Master’. This personalizes your helper during moments of crisis. If you make God your helper, He will make a way out of the woods. He will respond speedily to your distress call because He promised and He is a covenant keeper (Jeremiah 33:3). But if there is unconfessed sin in your life, God may not respond. Apart from this, God does not take pleasure in delaying answers to prayers. He is not happy to see you live in poverty, sickness or sorrow. Hence, He says in Isaiah 65:24, “And It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear”.
Elisha spontaneously told his servant ‘Fear not’. There are at least 365 “Fear Nots” in the Bible which means if you take one for each day, you could live without fear each year. The word FEAR has been defined False Evidence Appearing Real. Do you know that most of the things you fear will never take place? Fear has triggered sorrow for many. What you fear will haunt or taunt you. By being afraid, you deliberately create room for an unexpected evil to occur. Fear is the doorway to several sicknesses and problems. One thing you have to consciously fight is fear. Use God’s Word, testimonies and praying in the spirit to build up faith in your spirit man. Reject and return every arrow of fear shot against you. It shall be well with you.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God to dislodge every spirit of fear from your heart. Thank Him for the Spirit of Boldness.
FEAR FORBIDDEN
MEMORIZE: "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine" (Isaiah 43:1)
READ: Isaiah 43:1-3
In 2 Kings 6:15, Elisha’s servant, confronted by the invading Syrian army cried out “Alas my Master! How shall we do?” In the face of trouble he turned to his master. We all turn to someone or something in times of trouble. Some turn to witch doctors and some to idols. Some take refuge in cults and secret societies, etc. Idols and demons fail you when you need them most (1 Kings 18:26-29). It is foolhardy to look up to someone who cannot help you in time of trouble. There are those who turn to man when in trouble; but the scripture says vain is the help of man. Confidence in the ability of a man in time of trouble puts you under a curse. If God does not allow that man to pray for you, that will be the end of the fellow. The worshippers of Dagon saw the helplessness of their god (1 Samuel 5:2-5). Turn away from dumb idols!
Elisha’s servant said, “My Master” and not ‘Master’. This personalizes your helper during moments of crisis. If you make God your helper, He will make a way out of the woods. He will respond speedily to your distress call because He promised and He is a covenant keeper (Jeremiah 33:3). But if there is unconfessed sin in your life, God may not respond. Apart from this, God does not take pleasure in delaying answers to prayers. He is not happy to see you live in poverty, sickness or sorrow. Hence, He says in Isaiah 65:24, “And It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear”.
Elisha spontaneously told his servant ‘Fear not’. There are at least 365 “Fear Nots” in the Bible which means if you take one for each day, you could live without fear each year. The word FEAR has been defined False Evidence Appearing Real. Do you know that most of the things you fear will never take place? Fear has triggered sorrow for many. What you fear will haunt or taunt you. By being afraid, you deliberately create room for an unexpected evil to occur. Fear is the doorway to several sicknesses and problems. One thing you have to consciously fight is fear. Use God’s Word, testimonies and praying in the spirit to build up faith in your spirit man. Reject and return every arrow of fear shot against you. It shall be well with you.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God to dislodge every spirit of fear from your heart. Thank Him for the Spirit of Boldness.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Open Heavens September 26, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 64-66
MANAGING DISTRACTIONS
MEMORIZE: "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me" (Matthew 14:30)
READ: Matthew 14:24-33
Loving God absolutely is necessary for mountain climbers even when it costs what you love most. Matthew 10:37 says your claim to love God is void if someone or something either ranks number one, or you could compromise God’s Word for the fellow. To climb to the mountain top, you must love God supremely - without reservations. God wants you on the mountain top because that is the location for victors. The flesh is however standing between most Christians and their expected positions on the mountain top. If you have to go higher, some fat has to go. To climb a mountain, you have to be slim. You have to fast often and not wait until a problem comes. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 says your body must be kept in check. You will have to sleep less so that you can stay awake to pray all night. Even when your colleagues and neighbors are snoring, you should be tarrying in God’s presence.
Another requirement in the process of climbing the mountain is to maintain focus. If you take off your focus from your original goal, it is doubtful if you will arrive at such a goal (Luke 9:61-62). When Jesus met the disciples caught up in the waves at mid-sea, Peter’s goal was to walk on water. He wanted to feel what it was like to have the sea solidify under your feet. But when he looked away, the frozen water melted and he began to sink. Once you have set your goal, focus on it and continue to strive towards it, until you get there. Although there are so many distractions, refuse to be distracted. Anyone who is easily distracted may never make it to his destination.
The story was told of a young king who through the bad advice of his inexperienced counselors was defeated by an older king and taken captive. His captor in an attempt to put him to test, gave him a glass cup full of water and asked him walk a distance without spilling the water. On one side of the divide were people singing his praise, while on the other side were people jeering at him. When he successfully performed the assignment, the older king asked him which of the people helped him the most - those who praised him or those who mocked him. The young captive king replied that he was not aware of anyone on his right or left but concentrated on his goal. The older king thereafter released him and asked him to go and live by the wisdom he acquired from that test. If you want to reach your goal, do not listen to those criticizing or praising you. Stay focused. In addition, a mountain climber must endure difficulties like a good soldier ( 2 Tim 2:3) and continue to ask for the help of Jesus. But for His help, Peter would have drowned in the sea. The Lord is willing to help you get to your high places. Are you seeking His help?
ACTIONPOINT: Father, help me to shut my eyes and ears to every distraction and focus on you until I reach my goal.
MANAGING DISTRACTIONS
MEMORIZE: "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me" (Matthew 14:30)
READ: Matthew 14:24-33
Loving God absolutely is necessary for mountain climbers even when it costs what you love most. Matthew 10:37 says your claim to love God is void if someone or something either ranks number one, or you could compromise God’s Word for the fellow. To climb to the mountain top, you must love God supremely - without reservations. God wants you on the mountain top because that is the location for victors. The flesh is however standing between most Christians and their expected positions on the mountain top. If you have to go higher, some fat has to go. To climb a mountain, you have to be slim. You have to fast often and not wait until a problem comes. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 says your body must be kept in check. You will have to sleep less so that you can stay awake to pray all night. Even when your colleagues and neighbors are snoring, you should be tarrying in God’s presence.
Another requirement in the process of climbing the mountain is to maintain focus. If you take off your focus from your original goal, it is doubtful if you will arrive at such a goal (Luke 9:61-62). When Jesus met the disciples caught up in the waves at mid-sea, Peter’s goal was to walk on water. He wanted to feel what it was like to have the sea solidify under your feet. But when he looked away, the frozen water melted and he began to sink. Once you have set your goal, focus on it and continue to strive towards it, until you get there. Although there are so many distractions, refuse to be distracted. Anyone who is easily distracted may never make it to his destination.
The story was told of a young king who through the bad advice of his inexperienced counselors was defeated by an older king and taken captive. His captor in an attempt to put him to test, gave him a glass cup full of water and asked him walk a distance without spilling the water. On one side of the divide were people singing his praise, while on the other side were people jeering at him. When he successfully performed the assignment, the older king asked him which of the people helped him the most - those who praised him or those who mocked him. The young captive king replied that he was not aware of anyone on his right or left but concentrated on his goal. The older king thereafter released him and asked him to go and live by the wisdom he acquired from that test. If you want to reach your goal, do not listen to those criticizing or praising you. Stay focused. In addition, a mountain climber must endure difficulties like a good soldier ( 2 Tim 2:3) and continue to ask for the help of Jesus. But for His help, Peter would have drowned in the sea. The Lord is willing to help you get to your high places. Are you seeking His help?
ACTIONPOINT: Father, help me to shut my eyes and ears to every distraction and focus on you until I reach my goal.
Open Heavens September 25, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 61-63
COVENANT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
MEMORIZE: "He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations" (Psalms 105:8)
READ: Genesis 17:9-14
Whenever a bonafide believer partakes of the Holy Communion, the covenant between the fellow and the Lord is renewed. The Holy Communion is an everlasting blood covenant between believers and Jesus Christ. We see a similar thing in today’s reading. The Lord told Abraham, ‘I am entering a covenant with you. It shall be sealed by circumcision. When you carry out circumcision, you will shed blood. I will equally make provision for blood on my part so that a mixture of both will seal up our covenant for ever”. A Covenant relationship is the foundation for blessings. The covenant between God and Abraham provided the basis for the Abrahamic blessings, both for himself and generations after him. Anyone without a covenant relationship with God should not expect God’s blessings.
The covenant between God and Abraham was limited to the children of Israel. The Passover covenant produced several miracles which benefited the children of Israel. God parted the Red Sea and provided a highway for those covered by the covenant, while using the same sea as the burial site for those outside that covenant. You may ask, Why would a miracle bless the Israelites but destroy the Egyptians whom God equally created? Although, God is Creator of both nations, the covenant made the difference. The covenant between God and the Israeli nation made Him to punish, dethrone and kill kings for their sakes. The original inhabitants of the promised land were dispossessed of their inheritance, and were replaced by the Israelites.
Covenant still makes the difference. In a broad sense, there are two categories of people on earth - those in covenant relationship with God and those without such a relationship. God is prepared to do anything for those within His covenant. But among believers, God still makes a difference. Some believers have not gone beyond the normal covenant with God, whereas some have entered high level covenants with the King of kings. God relates with His children according to the covenant that exists between them. In spite of age, position, status or wealth, God defends those who have cut a superior covenant with Him more than those with lesser covenants. In Numbers 12:1-8, God judged Mariam because of Moses for this reason. If you want to be untouchable both by external and internal enemies, step up your covenant relationship with God. Enter into a covenant with your eyes like Job (Job 31:1) and with every part of your body (Roman 12:1). Enter into a covenant of absolute obedience to God like Phinehas (Num. 25:11-13). The more difficult the covenant you cut with God, the higher your heavenly placement or rating.
ACTIONPOINT: Some believers who have struggled with their flesh came to a point where they covenanted with God to make them impotent or strike with paralysis when next they engaged in fornication. Cut your own covenant today!
COVENANT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
MEMORIZE: "He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations" (Psalms 105:8)
READ: Genesis 17:9-14
Whenever a bonafide believer partakes of the Holy Communion, the covenant between the fellow and the Lord is renewed. The Holy Communion is an everlasting blood covenant between believers and Jesus Christ. We see a similar thing in today’s reading. The Lord told Abraham, ‘I am entering a covenant with you. It shall be sealed by circumcision. When you carry out circumcision, you will shed blood. I will equally make provision for blood on my part so that a mixture of both will seal up our covenant for ever”. A Covenant relationship is the foundation for blessings. The covenant between God and Abraham provided the basis for the Abrahamic blessings, both for himself and generations after him. Anyone without a covenant relationship with God should not expect God’s blessings.
The covenant between God and Abraham was limited to the children of Israel. The Passover covenant produced several miracles which benefited the children of Israel. God parted the Red Sea and provided a highway for those covered by the covenant, while using the same sea as the burial site for those outside that covenant. You may ask, Why would a miracle bless the Israelites but destroy the Egyptians whom God equally created? Although, God is Creator of both nations, the covenant made the difference. The covenant between God and the Israeli nation made Him to punish, dethrone and kill kings for their sakes. The original inhabitants of the promised land were dispossessed of their inheritance, and were replaced by the Israelites.
Covenant still makes the difference. In a broad sense, there are two categories of people on earth - those in covenant relationship with God and those without such a relationship. God is prepared to do anything for those within His covenant. But among believers, God still makes a difference. Some believers have not gone beyond the normal covenant with God, whereas some have entered high level covenants with the King of kings. God relates with His children according to the covenant that exists between them. In spite of age, position, status or wealth, God defends those who have cut a superior covenant with Him more than those with lesser covenants. In Numbers 12:1-8, God judged Mariam because of Moses for this reason. If you want to be untouchable both by external and internal enemies, step up your covenant relationship with God. Enter into a covenant with your eyes like Job (Job 31:1) and with every part of your body (Roman 12:1). Enter into a covenant of absolute obedience to God like Phinehas (Num. 25:11-13). The more difficult the covenant you cut with God, the higher your heavenly placement or rating.
ACTIONPOINT: Some believers who have struggled with their flesh came to a point where they covenanted with God to make them impotent or strike with paralysis when next they engaged in fornication. Cut your own covenant today!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Open Heavens September 24, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 58-60
PART OF THE INNER CIRCLE?
MEMORIZE: "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. "(John 17:9)
READ: Matthew 17:1-9
First, God has an inner circle of friends. The Lord came with the 12 disciples to the foot of the mountain, selected three and left nine behind. The Lord will not leave you behind in Jesus’ Name. The first time we visited Israel, on arrival at the mount of Transfiguration, we wept as we recalled how nine disciples were left behind. What was their offense that they were left behind? Although John 1:1-3 says God is the Creator of the world and everything in it, and John 3:16 affirms His love for all mankind, yet John 1:11-12 says that God is not the Father of all; God can only father those who have a son ship relationship with Him. Besides, He has special love for a few people, while most humans benefit from the general love. He selects his favorites from His general creation. In His last prayer, the Lord did not address the world but His own (John 17). Among born again Christians, some are called - part of the general class, while a few are chosen - part of the special group (Matthew 22:14).
When the time came to show His disciples a glimpse of Heaven, He took the trio for that special encounter. Some Christians have never been specially favored because they have refused to abandon the general class for the special class. The second thing worthy of note is that Jesus took them to the top of the mountain. Some years ago, I taught on seven ways of dealing with a mountain. You can turn back as soon as you find a mountain blocking your way (Num. 14:1-4). You can walk around the mountain (Num. 14:33-34). You can climb it like Jesus and His trio did (Also see Matthew 5:1). Another way of handling a mountain is by drilling a hole through it (Exodus 14:21-28). You can equally use a dynamite to shatter it into pieces (Joshua 6:20).
You can sit on a mountain like Elijah did at his time of arrest (2 Kings 1:9). Lastly, you can fly or soar over it through the supernatural strength that comes from waiting on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). Every physical problem constituting itself into a mountain shall be dealt with today in Jesus’ Name. There are several benefits for those who are part of the inner circle. If Peter, James and John could be part of that circle, you too can. It has nothing to do with your level of education, age, colour, sex, status, etc. or else, the likes of Peter -an illiterate fisherman would not be there. It however has everything to do with your disposition, level of personal commitment, hunger for spiritual things, love for God, etc.
ACTIONPOINT: God still maintains an inner circle of friends. If you can strive to be a part of this group and remain there, you have made it in time and in eternity.
PART OF THE INNER CIRCLE?
MEMORIZE: "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. "(John 17:9)
READ: Matthew 17:1-9
First, God has an inner circle of friends. The Lord came with the 12 disciples to the foot of the mountain, selected three and left nine behind. The Lord will not leave you behind in Jesus’ Name. The first time we visited Israel, on arrival at the mount of Transfiguration, we wept as we recalled how nine disciples were left behind. What was their offense that they were left behind? Although John 1:1-3 says God is the Creator of the world and everything in it, and John 3:16 affirms His love for all mankind, yet John 1:11-12 says that God is not the Father of all; God can only father those who have a son ship relationship with Him. Besides, He has special love for a few people, while most humans benefit from the general love. He selects his favorites from His general creation. In His last prayer, the Lord did not address the world but His own (John 17). Among born again Christians, some are called - part of the general class, while a few are chosen - part of the special group (Matthew 22:14).
When the time came to show His disciples a glimpse of Heaven, He took the trio for that special encounter. Some Christians have never been specially favored because they have refused to abandon the general class for the special class. The second thing worthy of note is that Jesus took them to the top of the mountain. Some years ago, I taught on seven ways of dealing with a mountain. You can turn back as soon as you find a mountain blocking your way (Num. 14:1-4). You can walk around the mountain (Num. 14:33-34). You can climb it like Jesus and His trio did (Also see Matthew 5:1). Another way of handling a mountain is by drilling a hole through it (Exodus 14:21-28). You can equally use a dynamite to shatter it into pieces (Joshua 6:20).
You can sit on a mountain like Elijah did at his time of arrest (2 Kings 1:9). Lastly, you can fly or soar over it through the supernatural strength that comes from waiting on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). Every physical problem constituting itself into a mountain shall be dealt with today in Jesus’ Name. There are several benefits for those who are part of the inner circle. If Peter, James and John could be part of that circle, you too can. It has nothing to do with your level of education, age, colour, sex, status, etc. or else, the likes of Peter -an illiterate fisherman would not be there. It however has everything to do with your disposition, level of personal commitment, hunger for spiritual things, love for God, etc.
ACTIONPOINT: God still maintains an inner circle of friends. If you can strive to be a part of this group and remain there, you have made it in time and in eternity.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Open Heavens September 23, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 55-57
SATAN CANNOT ELONGATE LIFE
MEMORIZE: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27)
READ: Isaiah 38:1-8
There are pertinent questions to be answered by the one who would fulfill destiny. One of such is; Who am I? Where is my origin? What’s my purpose for being here on earth? What’s my potential? These are self discovery questions that would provide whoever answers them a clear purpose for life. Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. Another crucial question everyone must answer is eternity bound:
Where will I spend eternity? If there is one thing that has bothered man, it is the issue of how to live without dying. Whether rich or poor, educated or not, people do not want to die. Death could be prevented until one’s life span is up: It cannot be avoided! Cancelling death remains a challenge for scientists. Yet Jesus came with the solution.
Some people in the occult have been deceived into thinking that they can prolong their life span through human sacrifice. It is a lie! The truth is that nobody can increase your life span. No scientific or medical gadget or medication can add a day to your appointed time on earth! But God can. At a time Hezekiah got to the end of his life, and God informed him to put his house in order, he solemnly protested and convinced the Lord. So God extended his life span by 15 years. The case with those in the cults and secret societies is that the day they partner with Satan, he takes control over their appointed years on earth. If God had originally given such a devotee 80 years, Satan can promise them riches, fame and power with half of their God-given years - 40. If they want an extension by two, three or five years, he would ask them to sacrifice fellow human beings. Yet many of them would have to forfeit as much as 10, 20 or more years of their lives to Satan. The devil cannot give what he did not create. Jesus is the Resurrection and the life.
He is the only One that can guarantee your life on earth, and beyond. If you are in a cult and by virtue of your agreement with the devil you are told that you have one, two, five or 10 years more to live; If you run to Jesus Christ and wholly surrender your life to Him, and decide to live for Him and serve Him, He would recover your remaining years from the devil; And you would live your life in full. Are you threatened with death? The Lord will keep you alive. But are you prepared for death? Anyone who fails to prepare for death is the most foolish person on planet earth. Make your ways right with God today.
ACTIONPOINT: God has an appointment for everyone to come home. Refusing to serve Him negotiates that appointment and fixes it before the time.
SATAN CANNOT ELONGATE LIFE
MEMORIZE: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27)
READ: Isaiah 38:1-8
There are pertinent questions to be answered by the one who would fulfill destiny. One of such is; Who am I? Where is my origin? What’s my purpose for being here on earth? What’s my potential? These are self discovery questions that would provide whoever answers them a clear purpose for life. Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. Another crucial question everyone must answer is eternity bound:
Where will I spend eternity? If there is one thing that has bothered man, it is the issue of how to live without dying. Whether rich or poor, educated or not, people do not want to die. Death could be prevented until one’s life span is up: It cannot be avoided! Cancelling death remains a challenge for scientists. Yet Jesus came with the solution.
Some people in the occult have been deceived into thinking that they can prolong their life span through human sacrifice. It is a lie! The truth is that nobody can increase your life span. No scientific or medical gadget or medication can add a day to your appointed time on earth! But God can. At a time Hezekiah got to the end of his life, and God informed him to put his house in order, he solemnly protested and convinced the Lord. So God extended his life span by 15 years. The case with those in the cults and secret societies is that the day they partner with Satan, he takes control over their appointed years on earth. If God had originally given such a devotee 80 years, Satan can promise them riches, fame and power with half of their God-given years - 40. If they want an extension by two, three or five years, he would ask them to sacrifice fellow human beings. Yet many of them would have to forfeit as much as 10, 20 or more years of their lives to Satan. The devil cannot give what he did not create. Jesus is the Resurrection and the life.
He is the only One that can guarantee your life on earth, and beyond. If you are in a cult and by virtue of your agreement with the devil you are told that you have one, two, five or 10 years more to live; If you run to Jesus Christ and wholly surrender your life to Him, and decide to live for Him and serve Him, He would recover your remaining years from the devil; And you would live your life in full. Are you threatened with death? The Lord will keep you alive. But are you prepared for death? Anyone who fails to prepare for death is the most foolish person on planet earth. Make your ways right with God today.
ACTIONPOINT: God has an appointment for everyone to come home. Refusing to serve Him negotiates that appointment and fixes it before the time.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Open Heavens September 22, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 51-54
YOUR NEW ERA STARTS NOW
MEMORIZE: "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Gen.1:2)
READ: Genesis 1:1-4
The Lord is about to begin a new chapter in your life this season. One thing many people desire so strongly is to enter into a new era. A new era is the beginning of a divine programme which closes the chapter of Satan’s imprints, hand writings and manipulations. Have you had an ugly past? A new era of joy which would cause you to forget the mistakes, failures, disappointment and sorrows of the past, is about to dawn. The configuration of an era depends on who is behind its introduction. The One who is orchestrating your change this season is the One who specializes in introducing something new in the midst of the old. He can do the impossible.
In the beginning, the world was in its worst state. It looked so deplorable and hopeless that it appeared it was going to remain that way, until God showed up. The first problem of the earth was its formlessness. It looked like one big ball of confusion. It was shapeless and out of order. Yet God fixed it. Your life is a very minute challenge compared to the problem of the earth. The Lord will fix your life and bring forth His order into it. The earth was also void. It was empty of good things. Some families are still void, years after marriage because there is no child to show for it. Some people travelled abroad in search of the golden fleece. After several years, they are yet to find what they are looking for. They end up returning empty after leaving full. This was the experience of Naomi (Ruth 1:2022). Some have labored for several years hoping to save their earnings; only to realize their savings have disappeared mysteriously. If this explains your situation, a new era is beginning in your life.
The earth was also wholesomely filled with darkness. This suggests gloom, doom, sorrow, fear, etc. The elders say, ‘Men of honor are not recognized in the dark”. Has spiritual darkness covered up your glory and honor? Are your divine deposits buried in the darkness of this world? Just as God fixed the earth, so will He fix your life this season. The era of darkness is over in your life. The era of being bottled up is over. It is time for your promotion. It is time for up-liftment. The era of light has just begun. Draw close to the One who alone can introduce a new era -the Lord Jesus Christ.
ACTIONPOINT: Spend one hour thanking God for a new dawn He is bringing your way.
YOUR NEW ERA STARTS NOW
MEMORIZE: "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Gen.1:2)
READ: Genesis 1:1-4
The Lord is about to begin a new chapter in your life this season. One thing many people desire so strongly is to enter into a new era. A new era is the beginning of a divine programme which closes the chapter of Satan’s imprints, hand writings and manipulations. Have you had an ugly past? A new era of joy which would cause you to forget the mistakes, failures, disappointment and sorrows of the past, is about to dawn. The configuration of an era depends on who is behind its introduction. The One who is orchestrating your change this season is the One who specializes in introducing something new in the midst of the old. He can do the impossible.
In the beginning, the world was in its worst state. It looked so deplorable and hopeless that it appeared it was going to remain that way, until God showed up. The first problem of the earth was its formlessness. It looked like one big ball of confusion. It was shapeless and out of order. Yet God fixed it. Your life is a very minute challenge compared to the problem of the earth. The Lord will fix your life and bring forth His order into it. The earth was also void. It was empty of good things. Some families are still void, years after marriage because there is no child to show for it. Some people travelled abroad in search of the golden fleece. After several years, they are yet to find what they are looking for. They end up returning empty after leaving full. This was the experience of Naomi (Ruth 1:2022). Some have labored for several years hoping to save their earnings; only to realize their savings have disappeared mysteriously. If this explains your situation, a new era is beginning in your life.
The earth was also wholesomely filled with darkness. This suggests gloom, doom, sorrow, fear, etc. The elders say, ‘Men of honor are not recognized in the dark”. Has spiritual darkness covered up your glory and honor? Are your divine deposits buried in the darkness of this world? Just as God fixed the earth, so will He fix your life this season. The era of darkness is over in your life. The era of being bottled up is over. It is time for your promotion. It is time for up-liftment. The era of light has just begun. Draw close to the One who alone can introduce a new era -the Lord Jesus Christ.
ACTIONPOINT: Spend one hour thanking God for a new dawn He is bringing your way.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Open Heavens September 21, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 47-50
NO WORK, NO LIFE
MEMORIZE: "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10)
READ: 2 Thess. 3:6-12
In Luke 15:11-32, after the prodigal son wasted his wealth in a strange land, he began to be in want. He was hungry. The citizens of that country who attached themselves to him while he was on a spending spree deserted him when he had nothing left. Not even one of them could offer him some assistance. A lord had began to be in want. He was faced with several options if he would remain in that country. He could fold his hands and starve until the day of death. He could become a thief and live on the labors of others. Or he could take up a job. He preferred the last option. He searched for a decent job but could not get any, until he finally settled for a menial job - feeding swine in a farm. From his action, we learn that in the midst of adversity, it is still better to take a legitimate alternative. If he had taken to crime, he would never have lived to see his restoration.
Many people who left the shores of Nigeria have taken to crime- in the name of harsh economic climate encountered in host countries. If the prodigal son could take up a menial job, why go into prostitution, robbery, credit card and computer frauds? Why indulge in acts that tarnish the name of Jesus Christ that you are named by? The action of the prodigal son stands to condemn all who venture into crime in the name of survival. You are without excuse! Another lesson from this story is that when the prodigal son spent everything, he humbled himself to start from the scratch. He ignored the fact that he was a multi-millionaire, cruising on several limousines, and living in the pent house of their five-star hotels. He ignored how he once painted the town red. He refused to die through laziness and idleness. He took up the least paid legitimate job to keep body and soul together. We need to learn from him! Some Christians stopped working after they lost their ‘big’ jobs.
Pride has prevented them from accepting lesser offers. Some hide under the cloak of spirituality by saying, ‘I am waiting on the Lord for direction’. Good. But how long would you wait? Some are in that situation for two, three or even five years. Remember, today’s reading says anyone who is healthy and old enough to work, but refuses to work should not eat. That is people should not feel sorry for the lazy and slothful fellow. If you don’t eat for a period, death follows. Are you jobless? Find something legitimate to do or else Heaven counts you unworthy of this planet. Humble yourself. Accept the opportunity te Lord provides even if it is not the ideal job you desire. As you take it up and pray, God will provide something better.
ACTIONPOINT: No matter how harsh the economic climate is, there is something for you to do.
NO WORK, NO LIFE
MEMORIZE: "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10)
READ: 2 Thess. 3:6-12
In Luke 15:11-32, after the prodigal son wasted his wealth in a strange land, he began to be in want. He was hungry. The citizens of that country who attached themselves to him while he was on a spending spree deserted him when he had nothing left. Not even one of them could offer him some assistance. A lord had began to be in want. He was faced with several options if he would remain in that country. He could fold his hands and starve until the day of death. He could become a thief and live on the labors of others. Or he could take up a job. He preferred the last option. He searched for a decent job but could not get any, until he finally settled for a menial job - feeding swine in a farm. From his action, we learn that in the midst of adversity, it is still better to take a legitimate alternative. If he had taken to crime, he would never have lived to see his restoration.
Many people who left the shores of Nigeria have taken to crime- in the name of harsh economic climate encountered in host countries. If the prodigal son could take up a menial job, why go into prostitution, robbery, credit card and computer frauds? Why indulge in acts that tarnish the name of Jesus Christ that you are named by? The action of the prodigal son stands to condemn all who venture into crime in the name of survival. You are without excuse! Another lesson from this story is that when the prodigal son spent everything, he humbled himself to start from the scratch. He ignored the fact that he was a multi-millionaire, cruising on several limousines, and living in the pent house of their five-star hotels. He ignored how he once painted the town red. He refused to die through laziness and idleness. He took up the least paid legitimate job to keep body and soul together. We need to learn from him! Some Christians stopped working after they lost their ‘big’ jobs.
Pride has prevented them from accepting lesser offers. Some hide under the cloak of spirituality by saying, ‘I am waiting on the Lord for direction’. Good. But how long would you wait? Some are in that situation for two, three or even five years. Remember, today’s reading says anyone who is healthy and old enough to work, but refuses to work should not eat. That is people should not feel sorry for the lazy and slothful fellow. If you don’t eat for a period, death follows. Are you jobless? Find something legitimate to do or else Heaven counts you unworthy of this planet. Humble yourself. Accept the opportunity te Lord provides even if it is not the ideal job you desire. As you take it up and pray, God will provide something better.
ACTIONPOINT: No matter how harsh the economic climate is, there is something for you to do.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Open Heavens September 20, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 44-46
SOS CALL
MEMORIZE: "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident " (Psalms 27:3)
READ: Psalm 27:1-3
In 2 Kings 6:14-16, the Syrian army besieged the city of Dothan because of Elisha. They came with a great host to arrest one man. This tells us testimonies are the end product of problems. In other words, problems are potential testimonies. It may start as a problem but it will end as a testimony. In addition, the bigger the problem, the bigger the testimony. Are you confronted by a big problem? Your testimony will be great. When God is about to do something great, He looks out for big problems to use as raw materials. To perform a miracle, God starts with the impossible. Goliath was a big challenge for David, yet he obtained a great testimony out of it. Three kings teamed up against king Jehoshaphat but at the end, apart from having a big testimony out of it, the wealth of the kings came into his treasury.
That big problem surrounding you is about to birth a big testimony. Fear not. Trust in God and worship Him from your heart. Confess your victory over the problem and that problem situation will deliver your testimony. The response of Elisha’s servant to the great number of soldiers was, “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). ‘Alas’ could mean different things. ‘Alas’ could be the cry of the helpless, who have no weapon to fight their enemies. Are you in a seemingly helpless situation? Fear not. Psalms 46:1-3 says God is a present help in time of trouble. ‘Alas’ could also be the cry of the distressed and sorrowful. Are you sorrowful or in distress? Call upon the One who is ever ready to hear your call (Psalms 120:1). ‘Alas’ could equally be the response of the hopeless. There is hope for you today and the Lord will bring you out of the pit of hopelessness. Whatever happens, never part with your hope.
‘Alas’ could be the cry of someone who is frightened. Today’s reading says as long as the Lord is your light and salvation, you have no reason to fear anyone or group of enemies. All those ganging up against you shall tear themselves to pieces. Those working and plotting against you will soon regret their actions, by the time it dawns on them that they have been working for you. ‘Alas’ could also be the cry of someone who is sinking fast and suffocated by problems. No matter how deep you have descended, the Lord will hear your cry and fetch you out. You are coming out of the dungeon to your high places this season in Jesus’ Name.
ACTIONPOINT: Are you in an emergency? Send a save our soul (SOS) message to Heaven today.
SOS CALL
MEMORIZE: "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident " (Psalms 27:3)
READ: Psalm 27:1-3
In 2 Kings 6:14-16, the Syrian army besieged the city of Dothan because of Elisha. They came with a great host to arrest one man. This tells us testimonies are the end product of problems. In other words, problems are potential testimonies. It may start as a problem but it will end as a testimony. In addition, the bigger the problem, the bigger the testimony. Are you confronted by a big problem? Your testimony will be great. When God is about to do something great, He looks out for big problems to use as raw materials. To perform a miracle, God starts with the impossible. Goliath was a big challenge for David, yet he obtained a great testimony out of it. Three kings teamed up against king Jehoshaphat but at the end, apart from having a big testimony out of it, the wealth of the kings came into his treasury.
That big problem surrounding you is about to birth a big testimony. Fear not. Trust in God and worship Him from your heart. Confess your victory over the problem and that problem situation will deliver your testimony. The response of Elisha’s servant to the great number of soldiers was, “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). ‘Alas’ could mean different things. ‘Alas’ could be the cry of the helpless, who have no weapon to fight their enemies. Are you in a seemingly helpless situation? Fear not. Psalms 46:1-3 says God is a present help in time of trouble. ‘Alas’ could also be the cry of the distressed and sorrowful. Are you sorrowful or in distress? Call upon the One who is ever ready to hear your call (Psalms 120:1). ‘Alas’ could equally be the response of the hopeless. There is hope for you today and the Lord will bring you out of the pit of hopelessness. Whatever happens, never part with your hope.
‘Alas’ could be the cry of someone who is frightened. Today’s reading says as long as the Lord is your light and salvation, you have no reason to fear anyone or group of enemies. All those ganging up against you shall tear themselves to pieces. Those working and plotting against you will soon regret their actions, by the time it dawns on them that they have been working for you. ‘Alas’ could also be the cry of someone who is sinking fast and suffocated by problems. No matter how deep you have descended, the Lord will hear your cry and fetch you out. You are coming out of the dungeon to your high places this season in Jesus’ Name.
ACTIONPOINT: Are you in an emergency? Send a save our soul (SOS) message to Heaven today.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Open Heavens September 19, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 40-43
TEST OF LOVE
MEMORIZE: "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:4)
READ: Luke 9:59-60
“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4). If you have truly made up your mind to follow Jesus, certain things must drop. According to Ephesians 4:22-31, you must put off the old man - the nature of sin; all levels of corruption, lies and lust must go. All categories of stealing, fraud, corrupt communication must go. Also, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, malice must go. Ephesians 5:6,11 further lists other sins that should no longer be a part of your life. Besides, some good and legitimate things would have to go. For instance some family ties may go (Luke 14:26). There comes a time you would have to choose between your husband, wife, child or parent and Jesus.
In fact, God may have you tested to determine the extent you can go with Him. As the last born of my mother, I was very much attached to her. We were about to have our Congress in December, 1979 at Ijebu-Igbo. I knew I would not be able to spend the Christmas with my mother so I decided to pay her a visit a day before the programme began. When I got home, somebody came out and said, ‘Thank God you came. Your mother is dying’. When I saw her, her condition was truly deplorable. She could not even recognize me. I spent that night with her. Meanwhile, the Congress was billed to start the following morning, so I was confronted with either to attend the Congress or stay to take care of my mother. By morning, I told her, “Mummy, I love you so much but I love Jesus more.
I have to go. When I return and you are still alive, fine. If not, glory be to God”. Little did I know it was a test. She still lived for another 11 years! According to today’s reading, it is good to love your wife, husband, mother, father, children, etc. But if they stand in your way to a more fruitful relationship or service for the Lord, you must put God first! If anyone or anything else is first placed instead of God, you have failed the test of love. God must be first in everything. If you do not want trouble for yourself, you must never love the gift more than the Giver. Do you love God above everyone else? Be prepared for the test! He will definitely try your love.
ACTIONPOINT: List 10 ways you have demonstrated your love for God. If you have not, go ahead and show Him you love Him supremely.
TEST OF LOVE
MEMORIZE: "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:4)
READ: Luke 9:59-60
“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4). If you have truly made up your mind to follow Jesus, certain things must drop. According to Ephesians 4:22-31, you must put off the old man - the nature of sin; all levels of corruption, lies and lust must go. All categories of stealing, fraud, corrupt communication must go. Also, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, malice must go. Ephesians 5:6,11 further lists other sins that should no longer be a part of your life. Besides, some good and legitimate things would have to go. For instance some family ties may go (Luke 14:26). There comes a time you would have to choose between your husband, wife, child or parent and Jesus.
In fact, God may have you tested to determine the extent you can go with Him. As the last born of my mother, I was very much attached to her. We were about to have our Congress in December, 1979 at Ijebu-Igbo. I knew I would not be able to spend the Christmas with my mother so I decided to pay her a visit a day before the programme began. When I got home, somebody came out and said, ‘Thank God you came. Your mother is dying’. When I saw her, her condition was truly deplorable. She could not even recognize me. I spent that night with her. Meanwhile, the Congress was billed to start the following morning, so I was confronted with either to attend the Congress or stay to take care of my mother. By morning, I told her, “Mummy, I love you so much but I love Jesus more.
I have to go. When I return and you are still alive, fine. If not, glory be to God”. Little did I know it was a test. She still lived for another 11 years! According to today’s reading, it is good to love your wife, husband, mother, father, children, etc. But if they stand in your way to a more fruitful relationship or service for the Lord, you must put God first! If anyone or anything else is first placed instead of God, you have failed the test of love. God must be first in everything. If you do not want trouble for yourself, you must never love the gift more than the Giver. Do you love God above everyone else? Be prepared for the test! He will definitely try your love.
ACTIONPOINT: List 10 ways you have demonstrated your love for God. If you have not, go ahead and show Him you love Him supremely.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Open Heavens September 18, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Num 18-20
VOIDING COVENANTS?
MEMORIZE: "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Joshua 1:5)
READ: Psalms 50:4-5
When you are in a covenant relationship with God, you are assured of divine support. When two people are in a covenant relationship and a third party attempts to attack one of the parties, they would join forces to combat and subdue the intruder. In 1 Samuel 17:36, David, with an understanding of the workings of the covenant between Him and the God of Israel, was not afraid of the physical giant. He knew his pact with God automatically guaranteed the support of the heavenly forces before whom no Goliath could stand. Similarly, in Joshua 1:5, the Lord told Joshua - Moses’ successor, ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”.
The reason young and fearful Joshua was to be bold and fearless was because God stood with him as a result of the covenant relationship between them. If you are born again, you have been covenanted to God by the blood of Jesus. He is by your side to defend, support and fight for you. There is no way you can be defeated except you break the covenant between you. In 1 Samuel 17:36, David called Goliath an ‘uncircumcised Philistine’. In other words, he was reminding God that since Goliath had not satisfied God’s covenant requirement of circumcision, there was no way God could become an ally of His enemy. As you enter into a covenant relationship with the Almighty God today, by receiving Jesus Christ into your heart, every Goliath in your life shall meet their waterloo in Jesus’ Name. When a covenant is made, one very potent element for sealing it, is blood. Both parties to the covenant shed some blood, mix the blood and both lick or drink from it.
From that moment, any of them that violates that agreement would be cursed. In sealing the covenant between Jesus Christ and His disciples, blood was employed. He filled a cup with wine and told them: ‘This wine represents my blood. We are going into a blood covenant. I will drink from it and so will you. And that would make this covenant binding for the rest of our lives”. If you are in Christ, the covenant operating in your life is far superior to any other covenant obtainable on earth or anywhere else! This is because it is a fusion of the divine with human elements. Hence, you must not joke with anything capable of voiding that covenant. Curses must result from voiding covenants. The curses operating in the lives of some believers today are not from enemies, but because they voided the covenant between them and God! Return to the Lord in humility, confess and forsake your sins and ask God for restoration.
ACTIONPOINT: Pray that God would protect our teenagers from sinful peer pressure and lead them in His ways.
VOIDING COVENANTS?
MEMORIZE: "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Joshua 1:5)
READ: Psalms 50:4-5
When you are in a covenant relationship with God, you are assured of divine support. When two people are in a covenant relationship and a third party attempts to attack one of the parties, they would join forces to combat and subdue the intruder. In 1 Samuel 17:36, David, with an understanding of the workings of the covenant between Him and the God of Israel, was not afraid of the physical giant. He knew his pact with God automatically guaranteed the support of the heavenly forces before whom no Goliath could stand. Similarly, in Joshua 1:5, the Lord told Joshua - Moses’ successor, ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”.
The reason young and fearful Joshua was to be bold and fearless was because God stood with him as a result of the covenant relationship between them. If you are born again, you have been covenanted to God by the blood of Jesus. He is by your side to defend, support and fight for you. There is no way you can be defeated except you break the covenant between you. In 1 Samuel 17:36, David called Goliath an ‘uncircumcised Philistine’. In other words, he was reminding God that since Goliath had not satisfied God’s covenant requirement of circumcision, there was no way God could become an ally of His enemy. As you enter into a covenant relationship with the Almighty God today, by receiving Jesus Christ into your heart, every Goliath in your life shall meet their waterloo in Jesus’ Name. When a covenant is made, one very potent element for sealing it, is blood. Both parties to the covenant shed some blood, mix the blood and both lick or drink from it.
From that moment, any of them that violates that agreement would be cursed. In sealing the covenant between Jesus Christ and His disciples, blood was employed. He filled a cup with wine and told them: ‘This wine represents my blood. We are going into a blood covenant. I will drink from it and so will you. And that would make this covenant binding for the rest of our lives”. If you are in Christ, the covenant operating in your life is far superior to any other covenant obtainable on earth or anywhere else! This is because it is a fusion of the divine with human elements. Hence, you must not joke with anything capable of voiding that covenant. Curses must result from voiding covenants. The curses operating in the lives of some believers today are not from enemies, but because they voided the covenant between them and God! Return to the Lord in humility, confess and forsake your sins and ask God for restoration.
ACTIONPOINT: Pray that God would protect our teenagers from sinful peer pressure and lead them in His ways.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Open Heavens September 17, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Num 15-17
DECEIVING THE WISE ONE?
MEMORIZE: "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Cor. 1:25)
READ: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
That God says about you is more important than what anyone else says, or thinks. In all we do, care should be taken to know God’s rating or evaluation of our works and activities. In Revelation 3:1, Jesus says the church at Sardis had a name that they were alive but were ignorant that they were dead. The story was told of a doctor in Lagos who attended a party. In the heart of the feasting, one of his friends saw him and decided to use that opportunity to check his blood pleasure. He brought out and engaged his instrument and while checking, he dropped dead. The doctor they thought was alive never realized how close he was to death. Today, in various churches, we have several walking corpses. If God were to rate you, can He say you are alive? Or are you one of the living dead?
In Revelation 3:17-19, we read of some believers who thought they could see, but never knew that they had lost their sight a long time ago. Many claim to hear from God and go on to prophesy. Whereas, they do not know where the voice they are hearing is coming from. A number of such people say, ‘Thus says the Lord’ but it is not the Lord. It is either the devil or their own spirit. Sometime ago in 1982, somebody came to meet one of our senior pastors to ask of the leader of the church. He claimed God sent him to tell him not to travel for one month because of an imminent accident. The pastor laughed and told him that I had already travelled to Ondo and from there to Osogbo. Are you one of those saying God said when He has not spoken? Beware and repent.
In Revelations 3:1-6, the Lord says, ‘I know thy works’. He may be quiet, but He knows all you are doing. Some Christians think they can outsmart God. For instance, they pay tithe on their monthly income or profit from business, but refuse to tithe other income such as gifts. They think God does not know Mathematics. I always tell my children that when they are telling a lie to a wise man and he keeps smiling, it is because the aftermath of that lie will work in his favor. The scripture says, If you are fighting a wise man, whether he knocks you down or you knock him down, you are in trouble. The one who thinks he can outsmart God is the greatest fool. Some justify themselves by saying ‘I did not steal God’s money. All I did was keep back part of remittance tithe to do God’s work’. God says, ‘I know your works. Does God approve what you are doing? Can you defend breaking simple instructions? It is time to make amends.
ACTIONPOINT: In a vision, God showed a pastor who had been pastoring for many years, that his portion of field (divine assignment), has not been touched at all. He was shocked. Ask God to give you your score card.
DECEIVING THE WISE ONE?
MEMORIZE: "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Cor. 1:25)
READ: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
That God says about you is more important than what anyone else says, or thinks. In all we do, care should be taken to know God’s rating or evaluation of our works and activities. In Revelation 3:1, Jesus says the church at Sardis had a name that they were alive but were ignorant that they were dead. The story was told of a doctor in Lagos who attended a party. In the heart of the feasting, one of his friends saw him and decided to use that opportunity to check his blood pleasure. He brought out and engaged his instrument and while checking, he dropped dead. The doctor they thought was alive never realized how close he was to death. Today, in various churches, we have several walking corpses. If God were to rate you, can He say you are alive? Or are you one of the living dead?
In Revelation 3:17-19, we read of some believers who thought they could see, but never knew that they had lost their sight a long time ago. Many claim to hear from God and go on to prophesy. Whereas, they do not know where the voice they are hearing is coming from. A number of such people say, ‘Thus says the Lord’ but it is not the Lord. It is either the devil or their own spirit. Sometime ago in 1982, somebody came to meet one of our senior pastors to ask of the leader of the church. He claimed God sent him to tell him not to travel for one month because of an imminent accident. The pastor laughed and told him that I had already travelled to Ondo and from there to Osogbo. Are you one of those saying God said when He has not spoken? Beware and repent.
In Revelations 3:1-6, the Lord says, ‘I know thy works’. He may be quiet, but He knows all you are doing. Some Christians think they can outsmart God. For instance, they pay tithe on their monthly income or profit from business, but refuse to tithe other income such as gifts. They think God does not know Mathematics. I always tell my children that when they are telling a lie to a wise man and he keeps smiling, it is because the aftermath of that lie will work in his favor. The scripture says, If you are fighting a wise man, whether he knocks you down or you knock him down, you are in trouble. The one who thinks he can outsmart God is the greatest fool. Some justify themselves by saying ‘I did not steal God’s money. All I did was keep back part of remittance tithe to do God’s work’. God says, ‘I know your works. Does God approve what you are doing? Can you defend breaking simple instructions? It is time to make amends.
ACTIONPOINT: In a vision, God showed a pastor who had been pastoring for many years, that his portion of field (divine assignment), has not been touched at all. He was shocked. Ask God to give you your score card.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Open Heavens September 16, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Num 11-14
BREAKING NEWS
MEMORIZE: "And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him" and he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him” (Mark 3:13).
READ: Mark 3:13-15
The greater height is the higher ground. May the Lord take you to the higher ground today in Jesus’ Name. The Lord called His chosen twelve to the mountain. The Lord is calling you too higher ground today. There are several benefits from this. First, when you are on higher ground you would clearly stand out from the crowd. That spiritual location moves you from the multitude to become someone special. For instance, when they are about to eat in a big gathering, someone would take the microphone and call out the notables - the president, governors, senators, ministers, captains of industry, etc. to take their seats in the special reserved area. Finally, they would ask all others to take theirs with the commoners. Today, you are exiting the group of commoners! With divine permission and support, you are making an entry into the special class!
Another benefit of being on higher ground is that forces of darkness would have no choice but to obey you. Although Mark 16:17 promises believers the authority to cast out demons, many demons refuse to obey believers. They know their rights. Demons refuse to leave where they are, or what they are manipulating, if the fellow giving the command is a ‘commoner’. They would simply laugh at him and continue what they were doing. If you want demons to obey you, go to the higher ground! Soak yourself in God’s presence. Give Him quality worship. When you return with His glory all over you, and issue a command, demons would hear the command as if it was their Creator giving it, and would immediately comply.
In Matthew 17:1-9, Jesus took Peter, James and John to the mountain and He was transfigured before their eyes. They had the rare privilege of seeing Jesus, Elijah and Moses in glory and what transpired. When you are on higher ground, you would be open to divine revelations. You would see what others cannot see, and hear what others cannot hear. When you have access to see the operations and plans of your enemies, they would be afraid of you. They do not want you to spoil their plans. That is one way you can earn the respect of the satanic kingdom. It was on Mount Carmel Elijah heard the sound of rain after years of dryness (1 Kings 18:41-43); And he broke the news to Ahab. When you are on higher ground, you would have a foreknowledge of events before they take place and you would become a news breaker. And they would come to pass! Do you know you can be on higher ground and enjoy these benefits from now? Come up! Stop living below your potentials!
ACTIONPOINT: Search the scriptures and list out 25 benefits of mountain climbers. Ask God to manifest these in your life, family, and ministry.
BREAKING NEWS
MEMORIZE: "And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him" and he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him” (Mark 3:13).
READ: Mark 3:13-15
The greater height is the higher ground. May the Lord take you to the higher ground today in Jesus’ Name. The Lord called His chosen twelve to the mountain. The Lord is calling you too higher ground today. There are several benefits from this. First, when you are on higher ground you would clearly stand out from the crowd. That spiritual location moves you from the multitude to become someone special. For instance, when they are about to eat in a big gathering, someone would take the microphone and call out the notables - the president, governors, senators, ministers, captains of industry, etc. to take their seats in the special reserved area. Finally, they would ask all others to take theirs with the commoners. Today, you are exiting the group of commoners! With divine permission and support, you are making an entry into the special class!
Another benefit of being on higher ground is that forces of darkness would have no choice but to obey you. Although Mark 16:17 promises believers the authority to cast out demons, many demons refuse to obey believers. They know their rights. Demons refuse to leave where they are, or what they are manipulating, if the fellow giving the command is a ‘commoner’. They would simply laugh at him and continue what they were doing. If you want demons to obey you, go to the higher ground! Soak yourself in God’s presence. Give Him quality worship. When you return with His glory all over you, and issue a command, demons would hear the command as if it was their Creator giving it, and would immediately comply.
In Matthew 17:1-9, Jesus took Peter, James and John to the mountain and He was transfigured before their eyes. They had the rare privilege of seeing Jesus, Elijah and Moses in glory and what transpired. When you are on higher ground, you would be open to divine revelations. You would see what others cannot see, and hear what others cannot hear. When you have access to see the operations and plans of your enemies, they would be afraid of you. They do not want you to spoil their plans. That is one way you can earn the respect of the satanic kingdom. It was on Mount Carmel Elijah heard the sound of rain after years of dryness (1 Kings 18:41-43); And he broke the news to Ahab. When you are on higher ground, you would have a foreknowledge of events before they take place and you would become a news breaker. And they would come to pass! Do you know you can be on higher ground and enjoy these benefits from now? Come up! Stop living below your potentials!
ACTIONPOINT: Search the scriptures and list out 25 benefits of mountain climbers. Ask God to manifest these in your life, family, and ministry.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Open Heavens Spetember 15, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Num 7-10
CREATE THAT SPACE
MEMORIZE: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30)
READ: John 3:28-31
In Exodus 33:12-13, Moses asked the Lord for three things. To know His ways, to know Him and to see His glory. Some people see miracles, signs and wonders but have no idea how they come about and why. When you advance higher, like Moses, your focus must be on heavenly things. Any mountain climber still pursuing worldly things, would rubbish his or her efforts. If your climb would be meaningful, it must be God-centered. In John 3:28-31, John the Baptist said his only goal was to win Christ’s friendship. That goal gave him a rise in greatness that he overtook Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who earlier held the record of patriarchal greatness. If you aim at becoming a friend of Jesus Christ as you climb today, He would hide nothing from you. He would stop addressing you as servant. You would be called a friend of God like Abraham.
“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). Being an ordinary Christian is not enough. Ordinary Christians lack the power of God that should differentiate believers from unbelievers. In any case, why stay ordinary when God can use you in the miraculous -to raise the dead, open blind eyes, unstop deaf ears, heal the sick, etc? Those who are presently being used by God do not have two heads. When you set your goal, ensure it is very high. To climb however, you must shed all weights. You cannot climb higher if loaded with weights. The higher your goal, the lighter you must become. Hence, John the Baptist saw the need to decrease so that the Lord could increase (John 3:30).
When I clocked 40, the Lord visited me and showed me two graphs -one looked like a valley while the other looked like a mountain: and He asked me to choose. I understood these mathematical graphs: so I chose the valley-like graph which meant that my present level was my lowest. From then onwards I would begin to rise. After my choice, the Lord said certain things would have to go. Until then, I was addressed as Rev. Dr. E.A. Adeboye, B.Sc, MSc, Ph.D. I clearly wrote everything so that no one would be in doubt that I attended a university. But that day, I gave up the Doctorate as well as ‘Reverend’. Some believers want Christ to increase in them, but they are not prepared to make space for that increase by decreasing. It is the space you provide that the Lord would fill. Create that space today!
ACTIONPOINT: Humility creates space in your heart for the King of Glory. Pride occupies every space leaving the King standing out in the cold. Which operates in you?
CREATE THAT SPACE
MEMORIZE: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30)
READ: John 3:28-31
In Exodus 33:12-13, Moses asked the Lord for three things. To know His ways, to know Him and to see His glory. Some people see miracles, signs and wonders but have no idea how they come about and why. When you advance higher, like Moses, your focus must be on heavenly things. Any mountain climber still pursuing worldly things, would rubbish his or her efforts. If your climb would be meaningful, it must be God-centered. In John 3:28-31, John the Baptist said his only goal was to win Christ’s friendship. That goal gave him a rise in greatness that he overtook Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who earlier held the record of patriarchal greatness. If you aim at becoming a friend of Jesus Christ as you climb today, He would hide nothing from you. He would stop addressing you as servant. You would be called a friend of God like Abraham.
“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). Being an ordinary Christian is not enough. Ordinary Christians lack the power of God that should differentiate believers from unbelievers. In any case, why stay ordinary when God can use you in the miraculous -to raise the dead, open blind eyes, unstop deaf ears, heal the sick, etc? Those who are presently being used by God do not have two heads. When you set your goal, ensure it is very high. To climb however, you must shed all weights. You cannot climb higher if loaded with weights. The higher your goal, the lighter you must become. Hence, John the Baptist saw the need to decrease so that the Lord could increase (John 3:30).
When I clocked 40, the Lord visited me and showed me two graphs -one looked like a valley while the other looked like a mountain: and He asked me to choose. I understood these mathematical graphs: so I chose the valley-like graph which meant that my present level was my lowest. From then onwards I would begin to rise. After my choice, the Lord said certain things would have to go. Until then, I was addressed as Rev. Dr. E.A. Adeboye, B.Sc, MSc, Ph.D. I clearly wrote everything so that no one would be in doubt that I attended a university. But that day, I gave up the Doctorate as well as ‘Reverend’. Some believers want Christ to increase in them, but they are not prepared to make space for that increase by decreasing. It is the space you provide that the Lord would fill. Create that space today!
ACTIONPOINT: Humility creates space in your heart for the King of Glory. Pride occupies every space leaving the King standing out in the cold. Which operates in you?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Open Heavens September 14, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Num 4-6
FIRST TIME MIRACLE
MEMORIZE: "For verily I say unto you,That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith" (Mark 11:23)
READ: 1 Kings 17:17-24
In Acts 3:6, when Peter was to address the problem of the lame man, he did not pray, but only decreed by the authority of the Lord Jesus. Mark 11:23 says if you recognize your kingly role and position in Christ, all you owe situations and unpleasant circumstances is a decree: and they must obey! When last did you issue a decree to situations or forces? Are you a king? Kings rule by decrees. To what extent have you ruled by decrees? If nothing has responded to your decrees, it means you have not been recognized as king. Until you are completely subordinate to the King of kings and give Him quality worship and service, you would continue to erode your position as king. Jesus made you a king in God’s Kingdom so that your decrees would become the laws forces of nature, powers of darkness and your enemies would live by. But how is it today? Another lesson from Peter and the lame man is that there is always a first time miracle for a man. Until then, Peter had never been used by God to heal the lame.
This was his first experience. Jesus Christ performed His first miracle in Cana in Galilee. Some believers have rebuffed the Holy Spirit and ruined opportunities for their first major miracle. If you allow fear, intimidation, doubt, unbelief, or disobedience to come between you and the Spirit of Power, it can ruin your chances for miracles! Refusal to take a step of faith is what is standing between many Christians and their first miracles. Another thing we learn here is that a new and unusual problem is a potential testimony awaiting the release of the anointing on you. In 1 Kings 17:17-24, when the son of the widow of Zarephath died, it was a new and unusual challenge for Elijah. But at the end of the day, it became a testimony. The presence of a problem is what challenges the anointing on you into action. The greater the challenge, the greater the demand on the anointing upon your life. Samson did not realize he was anointed until a lion came and challenged him. Then something told him a lion was no match for him. So he rose and killed the lion. Accept the challenge posed by problems, and face them in the Name of the Lord. You shall be victorious in Jesus’ Name.
ACTIONPOINT: Never run from challenges. They are pieces of cake for the anointing in you.
FIRST TIME MIRACLE
MEMORIZE: "For verily I say unto you,That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith" (Mark 11:23)
READ: 1 Kings 17:17-24
In Acts 3:6, when Peter was to address the problem of the lame man, he did not pray, but only decreed by the authority of the Lord Jesus. Mark 11:23 says if you recognize your kingly role and position in Christ, all you owe situations and unpleasant circumstances is a decree: and they must obey! When last did you issue a decree to situations or forces? Are you a king? Kings rule by decrees. To what extent have you ruled by decrees? If nothing has responded to your decrees, it means you have not been recognized as king. Until you are completely subordinate to the King of kings and give Him quality worship and service, you would continue to erode your position as king. Jesus made you a king in God’s Kingdom so that your decrees would become the laws forces of nature, powers of darkness and your enemies would live by. But how is it today? Another lesson from Peter and the lame man is that there is always a first time miracle for a man. Until then, Peter had never been used by God to heal the lame.
This was his first experience. Jesus Christ performed His first miracle in Cana in Galilee. Some believers have rebuffed the Holy Spirit and ruined opportunities for their first major miracle. If you allow fear, intimidation, doubt, unbelief, or disobedience to come between you and the Spirit of Power, it can ruin your chances for miracles! Refusal to take a step of faith is what is standing between many Christians and their first miracles. Another thing we learn here is that a new and unusual problem is a potential testimony awaiting the release of the anointing on you. In 1 Kings 17:17-24, when the son of the widow of Zarephath died, it was a new and unusual challenge for Elijah. But at the end of the day, it became a testimony. The presence of a problem is what challenges the anointing on you into action. The greater the challenge, the greater the demand on the anointing upon your life. Samson did not realize he was anointed until a lion came and challenged him. Then something told him a lion was no match for him. So he rose and killed the lion. Accept the challenge posed by problems, and face them in the Name of the Lord. You shall be victorious in Jesus’ Name.
ACTIONPOINT: Never run from challenges. They are pieces of cake for the anointing in you.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Open Heavens September 13, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 7-10
PROVOKING RAIN
MEMORIZE: "And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain " (Zech. 14:17)
READ: Zechariah 14:16-18
“And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain” (Zechariah 14:17). From the above scripture, God promises to withhold rain from non-worshippers. This can be both in physical and spiritual terms. In Malachi 3:10, God promises to rain His blessings on tithers. If you are faithful in tithing but do not receive the promised rain from Heaven, it could be because you are not a true worshipper. How do you send in your tithes? Some people bring in tithes grudgingly. ‘I’m doing this because I have to, not because I want to; after all, what I receive can barely meet my needs’. Although the tithe has been paid, Heaven may not release the rain of blessings meant for that fellow. But if you come with an attitude of worship: “Lord, I have come with my tithe to worship you. I can never pay for what you daily do for me. I thank you for being my Source and would ever depend on you as my Sustainer, not on my job or income”. That attitude of worship would release the rains. The Lord would rain His blessings on you this season.
When some people go to their place of work, instead of spending time to worship God to attract the rain for that day, they would be petitioning Heaven with requests. It is worship, not prayer request that brings down the rain of blessings on business. Similarly, if you look all over the world to discover where you have the highest amount of rainfall, it is a place with a higher concentration of true Christians. Some time ago, we went to Sokoto (Nigeria) for a meeting. We were told they normally had few rains yearly, but when we began to praise God, Heaven released the rain in the month of March. One of the brothers in the city hailed from a big town with 95% of its inhabitants as Muslims. There was no rain in the town. So we went to his farm in that dry town and worshiped God. It rained three times in two weeks on his farm only! Worship releases your help in the Heavens. James
1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”. Certain blessings come from God while some come from below. If you want the wife, or husband, breakthrough or enlargement etc. that comes from above, first send your worship. Are you dry? Is any area of your life faced with dryness? It is your duty to worship God and God’s duty to keep you wet. The Lord would keep you drenched in His heavy rains of blessings. How often do you worship God?
ACTIONPOINT: A rain of worship from the earth is followed by a rain of blessings from Heaven.
PROVOKING RAIN
MEMORIZE: "And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain " (Zech. 14:17)
READ: Zechariah 14:16-18
“And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain” (Zechariah 14:17). From the above scripture, God promises to withhold rain from non-worshippers. This can be both in physical and spiritual terms. In Malachi 3:10, God promises to rain His blessings on tithers. If you are faithful in tithing but do not receive the promised rain from Heaven, it could be because you are not a true worshipper. How do you send in your tithes? Some people bring in tithes grudgingly. ‘I’m doing this because I have to, not because I want to; after all, what I receive can barely meet my needs’. Although the tithe has been paid, Heaven may not release the rain of blessings meant for that fellow. But if you come with an attitude of worship: “Lord, I have come with my tithe to worship you. I can never pay for what you daily do for me. I thank you for being my Source and would ever depend on you as my Sustainer, not on my job or income”. That attitude of worship would release the rains. The Lord would rain His blessings on you this season.
When some people go to their place of work, instead of spending time to worship God to attract the rain for that day, they would be petitioning Heaven with requests. It is worship, not prayer request that brings down the rain of blessings on business. Similarly, if you look all over the world to discover where you have the highest amount of rainfall, it is a place with a higher concentration of true Christians. Some time ago, we went to Sokoto (Nigeria) for a meeting. We were told they normally had few rains yearly, but when we began to praise God, Heaven released the rain in the month of March. One of the brothers in the city hailed from a big town with 95% of its inhabitants as Muslims. There was no rain in the town. So we went to his farm in that dry town and worshiped God. It rained three times in two weeks on his farm only! Worship releases your help in the Heavens. James
1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”. Certain blessings come from God while some come from below. If you want the wife, or husband, breakthrough or enlargement etc. that comes from above, first send your worship. Are you dry? Is any area of your life faced with dryness? It is your duty to worship God and God’s duty to keep you wet. The Lord would keep you drenched in His heavy rains of blessings. How often do you worship God?
ACTIONPOINT: A rain of worship from the earth is followed by a rain of blessings from Heaven.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Open Heavens September 12, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 4-6
CONTENDERS TO THE THRONE
MEMORIZE: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20)
READ: Romans 7:18-23
If you claim to be born again but your friends, relations, colleagues at work or school have not seen any difference, your claim is false. You are not yet dead. If you get easily provoked, you are not dead: your flesh is very much alive. If you are reacting because somebody stepped hard on your toes, it shows they were not dead in the first place. If you lust or engage in immorality, your flesh is not just living, but also ruling over you. Have you seen a corpse responding to any form of ill-treatment or abuse? Ask God to kill your flesh so that your spirit man can be alive. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:5). If you are not crucified with Christ, you cannot resurrect and share in His glory. The problem with the church and church leaders today is that they are not crucified. Why are people fighting for positions, ordination and power? It is because they are servants under an active and over-bearing flesh. They are propelled by carnal ambitions which have excluded God from His rightful place. You are under the search light of God and man. You would be surprised to know how much your subordinates are studying your life, patterns of behavior, reactions to situations, attitudes to worldly things, response to situations that test the fruit of the Spirit, etc. What are they learning from you?
When a king dies, the throne becomes vacant and contenders show up. There are three strong contenders to the throne of your heart. First is the King of kings (Proverbs 23:26). In Matthew 6:24, He says there can be only one king at a time. Who is the king occupying the throne of your heart? The second contender is Satan who offers mouth-watering gifts just to get you to surrender to him (Matthew 4:8-9). If you give in to him, you are doomed! The third contender is yourself. Your flesh is always fighting with the Spirit of God because it wants to rule (Galatians 5:17). What would you do with the contenders for the throne of your heart? My advice is: one must die and that is your flesh. One must reign which is the King of kings. The third contender must be chased away - which is the devil. As a young Christian, I struggled with the flesh. Making resolutions never to quarrel, be angry, fornicate could not help until the Lord delivered me. You must crucify the flesh if you would amount to anything in God’s Kingdom. You cannot do it all alone! People would have to assist you. God can help you to Be crucified. Ask Him to help you in this regard and give you total victory over your flesh.
ACTIONPOINT: Of all your bank accounts, your prayer bank must never be in red. Credit it today!
CONTENDERS TO THE THRONE
MEMORIZE: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20)
READ: Romans 7:18-23
If you claim to be born again but your friends, relations, colleagues at work or school have not seen any difference, your claim is false. You are not yet dead. If you get easily provoked, you are not dead: your flesh is very much alive. If you are reacting because somebody stepped hard on your toes, it shows they were not dead in the first place. If you lust or engage in immorality, your flesh is not just living, but also ruling over you. Have you seen a corpse responding to any form of ill-treatment or abuse? Ask God to kill your flesh so that your spirit man can be alive. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:5). If you are not crucified with Christ, you cannot resurrect and share in His glory. The problem with the church and church leaders today is that they are not crucified. Why are people fighting for positions, ordination and power? It is because they are servants under an active and over-bearing flesh. They are propelled by carnal ambitions which have excluded God from His rightful place. You are under the search light of God and man. You would be surprised to know how much your subordinates are studying your life, patterns of behavior, reactions to situations, attitudes to worldly things, response to situations that test the fruit of the Spirit, etc. What are they learning from you?
When a king dies, the throne becomes vacant and contenders show up. There are three strong contenders to the throne of your heart. First is the King of kings (Proverbs 23:26). In Matthew 6:24, He says there can be only one king at a time. Who is the king occupying the throne of your heart? The second contender is Satan who offers mouth-watering gifts just to get you to surrender to him (Matthew 4:8-9). If you give in to him, you are doomed! The third contender is yourself. Your flesh is always fighting with the Spirit of God because it wants to rule (Galatians 5:17). What would you do with the contenders for the throne of your heart? My advice is: one must die and that is your flesh. One must reign which is the King of kings. The third contender must be chased away - which is the devil. As a young Christian, I struggled with the flesh. Making resolutions never to quarrel, be angry, fornicate could not help until the Lord delivered me. You must crucify the flesh if you would amount to anything in God’s Kingdom. You cannot do it all alone! People would have to assist you. God can help you to Be crucified. Ask Him to help you in this regard and give you total victory over your flesh.
ACTIONPOINT: Of all your bank accounts, your prayer bank must never be in red. Credit it today!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Open Heavens September 11, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 1-3
CAUSES OF TARE IMPLANTS
MEMORIZE: "If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart" (Malachi 2:2)
READ: Proverbs 24:30-34
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Anything that diverts your gaze or focus from Jesus is a tare. No one racing to Heaven who looks away from the Author and Finisher of the faith can ever make it to the finishing line. There are several distractions today. To sustain the race, constantly look to Jesus, find and tread the path He trod; Seek His guidance on emerging issues, and make Him your mirror, which you must daily look at to keep in line. Without these, you would be swept away by the tide of distraction. Moreover, a tare as wrapping material for packaging is a light weight substance.
It has a form but lacks the strength to resist the wind or any force of opposition. In this sense, butter and bread Christianity, convenience Christianity or Christianity without the power of the Holy Spirit constitute tares. 2 Timothy 3:5 says, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away”. If you claim to be saved and baptized with the Holy Spirit, but lack the power that accompanies the baptism, watch out so that you do not end up with a tare - just a form of religion! Ask God to give you the back-up. Christianity without the power of the Holy Spirit is like radio without battery. It is useless! In addition, a tare is a wild character trait or habit impeding your growth as a Christian. Allowing volatile habits and character defects such as unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, pride, revenge, overeating or gluttony, uncontrolled lusts, cause tares. According to Matthew 13:25, excessive sleep is responsible for the tares in the lives of believers. Luke warmness is another (Revelation 3:15-16).
Slothfulness is another (Proverbs 24:30-34). Every space you refuse to occupy shall be overtaken by weeds. There is no room for vacuum. Any soul we refuse to win to Christ is won over by the powers of darkness. Prayerlessness, wrong use of tongue (Proverbs 18:20-21), unbelief and doubt (Mark 6:1-6) etc. are ways by which you can introduce tares into your path and life. On the other hand, God introduces tares if you refuse to serve Him (Exodus 23:25-27); If you are unfaithful in tithes, offerings, or vows (Malachi 3:8-12), or if you are disobedient (Malachi 2:2). Satan too, if given room, can introduce tares through covenants, curses and negative attacks. Uproot all tares today!
ACTIONPOINT: What are the tares in your life? Ask God for grace to uproot them.
CAUSES OF TARE IMPLANTS
MEMORIZE: "If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart" (Malachi 2:2)
READ: Proverbs 24:30-34
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Anything that diverts your gaze or focus from Jesus is a tare. No one racing to Heaven who looks away from the Author and Finisher of the faith can ever make it to the finishing line. There are several distractions today. To sustain the race, constantly look to Jesus, find and tread the path He trod; Seek His guidance on emerging issues, and make Him your mirror, which you must daily look at to keep in line. Without these, you would be swept away by the tide of distraction. Moreover, a tare as wrapping material for packaging is a light weight substance.
It has a form but lacks the strength to resist the wind or any force of opposition. In this sense, butter and bread Christianity, convenience Christianity or Christianity without the power of the Holy Spirit constitute tares. 2 Timothy 3:5 says, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away”. If you claim to be saved and baptized with the Holy Spirit, but lack the power that accompanies the baptism, watch out so that you do not end up with a tare - just a form of religion! Ask God to give you the back-up. Christianity without the power of the Holy Spirit is like radio without battery. It is useless! In addition, a tare is a wild character trait or habit impeding your growth as a Christian. Allowing volatile habits and character defects such as unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, pride, revenge, overeating or gluttony, uncontrolled lusts, cause tares. According to Matthew 13:25, excessive sleep is responsible for the tares in the lives of believers. Luke warmness is another (Revelation 3:15-16).
Slothfulness is another (Proverbs 24:30-34). Every space you refuse to occupy shall be overtaken by weeds. There is no room for vacuum. Any soul we refuse to win to Christ is won over by the powers of darkness. Prayerlessness, wrong use of tongue (Proverbs 18:20-21), unbelief and doubt (Mark 6:1-6) etc. are ways by which you can introduce tares into your path and life. On the other hand, God introduces tares if you refuse to serve Him (Exodus 23:25-27); If you are unfaithful in tithes, offerings, or vows (Malachi 3:8-12), or if you are disobedient (Malachi 2:2). Satan too, if given room, can introduce tares through covenants, curses and negative attacks. Uproot all tares today!
ACTIONPOINT: What are the tares in your life? Ask God for grace to uproot them.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Open Heavens September 10, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Sam 22-24
LIVING BY EXAMPLE
MEMORIZE: "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young" (Isaiah 40:11)
READ: Isaiah 40:9-11
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). Members of the congregation are the lambs and must be handled with care. Most members do not know their left from their right so when they err, they should be corrected with love and gently shown the right way from the Word of God. Members should not be disciplined by the pastor, but a member who already knows the truth but chooses to violate it will be courting trouble. Workers on the other hand are assumed to have known the truth hence they should be disciplined when they sin. However, this should be done in love, agree with scriptures and be intended to bring back the offender to the path of holiness. It is wrong for a leader to become high-handed, wicked and malicious while claiming to correct an offender. There must be fair-play, and the leader must have no sacred cows. If discipline is properly done, the offender’s faith would be restored, others would be deterred from committing similar offenses, there would be no bad blood, and genuine prayers would be offered for the offender. Above all, God’s name would be glorified.
Another duty of a shepherd is to lead by example. The leader is expected to stand in front of those he is leading and go ahead so they can follow him. We live at a time when leaders would comfortably say, ‘Do as I say but not as I do’. The lifestyle of many leaders could comfortably take their followers to hell. A leader who cannot lead by example is a hypocrite. If you teach people to give but you do not, your followers would know. They too would not give. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul admonished the brethren to follow him. If those under you should follow your conduct, would they get to Heaven? God expects us to care for the flock especially the poor. When I newly became saved, I regularly attended Bible study. One day, I left the university early to enable me cut grass at our Ebute-Metta headquarters before the Bible study began. I was very hungry. I still cannot tell how one of the brothers living in the church premises knew. He came to me and said, ‘Bro, please come’. I followed him and he gave me food. If we can care for the needy ones in our churches and neighborhoods, we would have space problem in our parishes.
ACTIONPOINT: Some leaders lead from behind. Ask that God will make you a true leader with a positive example to back you up.
LIVING BY EXAMPLE
MEMORIZE: "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young" (Isaiah 40:11)
READ: Isaiah 40:9-11
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). Members of the congregation are the lambs and must be handled with care. Most members do not know their left from their right so when they err, they should be corrected with love and gently shown the right way from the Word of God. Members should not be disciplined by the pastor, but a member who already knows the truth but chooses to violate it will be courting trouble. Workers on the other hand are assumed to have known the truth hence they should be disciplined when they sin. However, this should be done in love, agree with scriptures and be intended to bring back the offender to the path of holiness. It is wrong for a leader to become high-handed, wicked and malicious while claiming to correct an offender. There must be fair-play, and the leader must have no sacred cows. If discipline is properly done, the offender’s faith would be restored, others would be deterred from committing similar offenses, there would be no bad blood, and genuine prayers would be offered for the offender. Above all, God’s name would be glorified.
Another duty of a shepherd is to lead by example. The leader is expected to stand in front of those he is leading and go ahead so they can follow him. We live at a time when leaders would comfortably say, ‘Do as I say but not as I do’. The lifestyle of many leaders could comfortably take their followers to hell. A leader who cannot lead by example is a hypocrite. If you teach people to give but you do not, your followers would know. They too would not give. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul admonished the brethren to follow him. If those under you should follow your conduct, would they get to Heaven? God expects us to care for the flock especially the poor. When I newly became saved, I regularly attended Bible study. One day, I left the university early to enable me cut grass at our Ebute-Metta headquarters before the Bible study began. I was very hungry. I still cannot tell how one of the brothers living in the church premises knew. He came to me and said, ‘Bro, please come’. I followed him and he gave me food. If we can care for the needy ones in our churches and neighborhoods, we would have space problem in our parishes.
ACTIONPOINT: Some leaders lead from behind. Ask that God will make you a true leader with a positive example to back you up.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Open Heavens September 9, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Sam 19-21
TYPES OF HEIGHTS
MEMORIZE: "And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua:and Moses went up into the mount of God."(Exodus 24:13)
READ: Exodus 24: 9-18
If the seven ground levels, you have the bottomless pit, the pit, the valley and the ground level. The height is the next level. In 1 Kings 19:8-18, Elijah who had been at the valley began a journey to mount Horeb . When he got there, his confidence was restored. He recovered his hope for life. The man who was begging to die at the valley now begged to live and serve the Lord some more. The height is the first step into greatness. If you can climb the heights, your heavy burdens will drop off on the way. Those weights are there to prevent you from ascending the heights. But the moment you refuse to be pinned to the same spot, and start heading for the heights, you would discover that your problems had disappeared in transit. Wherever you are, you can start heading for the heights! Elijah left the valley and safely got to the height and had testimonies to share. The Lord will take you higher.
After the height comes the great height. In today’s reading, while the children of Israel were at the ground level, the Lord called Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 elders to come to the mountain. They climbed to the height and perceived God and began to celebrate. When you get to the great height, you would easily focus on God. You are cut off from the things of this world that would want to distract you. Those at this level are not easily touched. They are privileged to see their enemies’ plans and strategies and immediately adopt measures to combat them. If you can come to the great heights of God’s presence, the Lord would reveal Himself to you. You can become a terror to your visible and invisible enemies by climbing to the great height of His presence through praise, worship and thanksgiving. You can arrest your arresters like Elijah roasted the soldiers that were sent to arrest him (2 Kings 1:9-14).
The seventh level is the greater height. In today’s reading, while the elders were celebrating their myopic view of God, the Lord asked Moses and his servant Joshua to come to the greater heights and stay in His presence for 40 days and some and prevents them from the greater heights. Some people cannot go beyond their present level of anointing, wisdom, or power for the same reason. You must remain humble, completely obedient and dependent on God as you climb higher. When you get to the greater height, you would become untouchable. Your dress alone could part the river Jordans of this world. According to Ephesians 1:20-21 that is when you can truly benefit from your positional authority where you are seated in the heavenly places with Jesus Christ far above powers of
ACTIONPOINT: What steps have you taken to achieve your desirable height? If the result is undesirable, reconsider your action plan.
TYPES OF HEIGHTS
MEMORIZE: "And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua:and Moses went up into the mount of God."(Exodus 24:13)
READ: Exodus 24: 9-18
If the seven ground levels, you have the bottomless pit, the pit, the valley and the ground level. The height is the next level. In 1 Kings 19:8-18, Elijah who had been at the valley began a journey to mount Horeb . When he got there, his confidence was restored. He recovered his hope for life. The man who was begging to die at the valley now begged to live and serve the Lord some more. The height is the first step into greatness. If you can climb the heights, your heavy burdens will drop off on the way. Those weights are there to prevent you from ascending the heights. But the moment you refuse to be pinned to the same spot, and start heading for the heights, you would discover that your problems had disappeared in transit. Wherever you are, you can start heading for the heights! Elijah left the valley and safely got to the height and had testimonies to share. The Lord will take you higher.
After the height comes the great height. In today’s reading, while the children of Israel were at the ground level, the Lord called Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 elders to come to the mountain. They climbed to the height and perceived God and began to celebrate. When you get to the great height, you would easily focus on God. You are cut off from the things of this world that would want to distract you. Those at this level are not easily touched. They are privileged to see their enemies’ plans and strategies and immediately adopt measures to combat them. If you can come to the great heights of God’s presence, the Lord would reveal Himself to you. You can become a terror to your visible and invisible enemies by climbing to the great height of His presence through praise, worship and thanksgiving. You can arrest your arresters like Elijah roasted the soldiers that were sent to arrest him (2 Kings 1:9-14).
The seventh level is the greater height. In today’s reading, while the elders were celebrating their myopic view of God, the Lord asked Moses and his servant Joshua to come to the greater heights and stay in His presence for 40 days and some and prevents them from the greater heights. Some people cannot go beyond their present level of anointing, wisdom, or power for the same reason. You must remain humble, completely obedient and dependent on God as you climb higher. When you get to the greater height, you would become untouchable. Your dress alone could part the river Jordans of this world. According to Ephesians 1:20-21 that is when you can truly benefit from your positional authority where you are seated in the heavenly places with Jesus Christ far above powers of
ACTIONPOINT: What steps have you taken to achieve your desirable height? If the result is undesirable, reconsider your action plan.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Open Heavens September 8, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Sam 16-18
GOALS AND HEIGHTS
MEMORIZE: "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple" (Psalm 27:4)
READ: Psalms 27:1-6
A bible college graduate once prayed for a sick rich lady and she became well. Immediately he went to establish a ministry because of one miracle! That is a foolish thing to do. God does not want to see you in the valley but constantly on the mountain top. Elijah and Elisha were regularly found on the mountain top which was responsible for the tremendous authority they wielded over kings, men and spiritual and physical forces. If your eyes are set on the Lord, you would discover that the closer you get to Him, the farther and higher He is. Every successful mountain climber must set a goal before embarking on the journey for the heights. In Philippians 3:8, Paul declared his goal was to win Christ. He was not only interested in knowing Him and the power of His resurrection, but also wanted Jesus as his personal medal. He died and went to Heaven and was given a triumphant entry by the angels, and got several crowns because of his works. But he shoved all aside saying that he was not there for crowns, but that he may win Christ.
Many who claim to be climbing the mountain are chasing shadows. If you do not focus on what Heaven expects you to focus on, you may be wasting time climbing the mountain in the first place. Some people are busy chasing titles - Reverend, Doctor, Bishop, Prophet, etc. Others are pursuing wealth. As you go up the mountain, you are expected to look only in one direction- up. If anything else is diverting your attention from the Lord, there is very little you can benefit from your mountain climbing experience. As David climbed the mountain into greater heights, he said in Psalms 27:4: “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple”. What’s your goal in your bid to go higher?
If you have no goal, as you climb, you would achieve nothing. That would be a fruitless climb! To dwell in His presence is a great goal but to remain there till Christ comes is far better. You cannot dwell in His presence and once in a while take a break to indulge in alcohol, fornication or lies. You have to abide permanently in holiness until He comes. That is only when your climb can be meaningful. Have you set a goal for yourself in mountain climbing? Does that goal glorify God or your flesh? It is time to climb to your heights. It is time to leave the valley of prayerlessness, disobedience and slothfulness. Aim high and you will end high.
ACTIONPOINT: Draw up your goals before climbing the mountain of God 's presence. Prayerfully work towards it until it is realized to the letter.
GOALS AND HEIGHTS
MEMORIZE: "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple" (Psalm 27:4)
READ: Psalms 27:1-6
A bible college graduate once prayed for a sick rich lady and she became well. Immediately he went to establish a ministry because of one miracle! That is a foolish thing to do. God does not want to see you in the valley but constantly on the mountain top. Elijah and Elisha were regularly found on the mountain top which was responsible for the tremendous authority they wielded over kings, men and spiritual and physical forces. If your eyes are set on the Lord, you would discover that the closer you get to Him, the farther and higher He is. Every successful mountain climber must set a goal before embarking on the journey for the heights. In Philippians 3:8, Paul declared his goal was to win Christ. He was not only interested in knowing Him and the power of His resurrection, but also wanted Jesus as his personal medal. He died and went to Heaven and was given a triumphant entry by the angels, and got several crowns because of his works. But he shoved all aside saying that he was not there for crowns, but that he may win Christ.
Many who claim to be climbing the mountain are chasing shadows. If you do not focus on what Heaven expects you to focus on, you may be wasting time climbing the mountain in the first place. Some people are busy chasing titles - Reverend, Doctor, Bishop, Prophet, etc. Others are pursuing wealth. As you go up the mountain, you are expected to look only in one direction- up. If anything else is diverting your attention from the Lord, there is very little you can benefit from your mountain climbing experience. As David climbed the mountain into greater heights, he said in Psalms 27:4: “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple”. What’s your goal in your bid to go higher?
If you have no goal, as you climb, you would achieve nothing. That would be a fruitless climb! To dwell in His presence is a great goal but to remain there till Christ comes is far better. You cannot dwell in His presence and once in a while take a break to indulge in alcohol, fornication or lies. You have to abide permanently in holiness until He comes. That is only when your climb can be meaningful. Have you set a goal for yourself in mountain climbing? Does that goal glorify God or your flesh? It is time to climb to your heights. It is time to leave the valley of prayerlessness, disobedience and slothfulness. Aim high and you will end high.
ACTIONPOINT: Draw up your goals before climbing the mountain of God 's presence. Prayerfully work towards it until it is realized to the letter.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Open Heavens September 7, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Sam 13-15
EXPEDITED CHANGE
MEMORIZE: "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream" (Psalm 126:1)
READ: Exodus 3:1-11
When Peter and John met the lame man at the front of the Beautiful Gate church, they observed he had misplaced expectations. The man was expecting alms - some money, while God was ready to release a miracle. Today, there exists some conflicts between our expectations and God’s. A brother who loved the Lord but was having problem taming his flesh, planned for his postgraduate studies. That was his desire and he was working hard towards it. But God who knew better, saw the need for him to be married. After some hesitation, the brother yielded to God’s will. After the marriage, his admission for the postgraduate course came three years after his application. God has the best for you. Even when certain desires are not met when you deemed the best time, trust the Lord to perfect everything in your favor. Yet as a bonafide believer, it is your duty to marry your desires with God’s. There should be no clash of interest!
One day, the leper was carried as usual to the front of the church. He never knew he would walk back home! The days of great turning points usually come unannounced. The day your miracle would hit you would be ordinary like any other day. In Exodus 3:1-11, when Moses woke that morning, little did he know he had a date with destiny. Like any other day, David left early one morning with his father’s sheep into the desert. He never had any advance notice. He had no premonition that he would be anointed as king later that day. Suddenly, he got a message from home asking him to return. He did and the shepherd boy was anointed king. The speed of returning a captivity could be so fast that it would appear like a dream. Miracles take place at great speed.
Your change is coming with speed this season. You would leave your home without the faintest idea of what is about to happen, and return with a miracle! There is a miracle waiting for you today. God has reserved your turning point somewhere within this season. Look up to Him and trust Him. You would walk into your breakthrough without knowing it. Wherever the people of this world have forgotten you, the Lord would suddenly remember and pull you out. Something good is waiting for you this season. However, if you can cooperate with the Holy Spirit and fellowship regularly with Him, your breakthrough may not take you entirely by surprise.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God for another beginning of joy today. Pray that your turn-around would be immediate.
EXPEDITED CHANGE
MEMORIZE: "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream" (Psalm 126:1)
READ: Exodus 3:1-11
When Peter and John met the lame man at the front of the Beautiful Gate church, they observed he had misplaced expectations. The man was expecting alms - some money, while God was ready to release a miracle. Today, there exists some conflicts between our expectations and God’s. A brother who loved the Lord but was having problem taming his flesh, planned for his postgraduate studies. That was his desire and he was working hard towards it. But God who knew better, saw the need for him to be married. After some hesitation, the brother yielded to God’s will. After the marriage, his admission for the postgraduate course came three years after his application. God has the best for you. Even when certain desires are not met when you deemed the best time, trust the Lord to perfect everything in your favor. Yet as a bonafide believer, it is your duty to marry your desires with God’s. There should be no clash of interest!
One day, the leper was carried as usual to the front of the church. He never knew he would walk back home! The days of great turning points usually come unannounced. The day your miracle would hit you would be ordinary like any other day. In Exodus 3:1-11, when Moses woke that morning, little did he know he had a date with destiny. Like any other day, David left early one morning with his father’s sheep into the desert. He never had any advance notice. He had no premonition that he would be anointed as king later that day. Suddenly, he got a message from home asking him to return. He did and the shepherd boy was anointed king. The speed of returning a captivity could be so fast that it would appear like a dream. Miracles take place at great speed.
Your change is coming with speed this season. You would leave your home without the faintest idea of what is about to happen, and return with a miracle! There is a miracle waiting for you today. God has reserved your turning point somewhere within this season. Look up to Him and trust Him. You would walk into your breakthrough without knowing it. Wherever the people of this world have forgotten you, the Lord would suddenly remember and pull you out. Something good is waiting for you this season. However, if you can cooperate with the Holy Spirit and fellowship regularly with Him, your breakthrough may not take you entirely by surprise.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God for another beginning of joy today. Pray that your turn-around would be immediate.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Open Heavens September 5, 2008
VOLUNTARY DEATH
MEMORIZE: "For he that is dead is freed from sin" (Romans 6:7)
READ: Romans 6:3-8
“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:6). You are a king because the day you received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, He made you one in His Kingdom. You are not just an earthly king but a heavenly royalty. As a king under the King of kings, you may not be a victim of old age. According to 1 Corinthians 15:51, any time the rapture comes, you shall be caught up to meet with the King of glory, as long as you are living in accordance with His dictates. You may not also die of illness because 1 Peter 2:24 says you were healed by His stripes. That sickness in your body shall be destroyed for violating the temple of the living God. Similarly, as a king under Jesus Christ, you may not die of accident, not because you know tomorrow, but because Psalms 121:3-8 says your Keeper neither sleeps nor slumbers. Psalms 91:5-7 assures you of protection in the midst of fallen heroes and bullet-ridden pals, neighbors and fellow citizens. Isaiah 54:17 is your certificate of insurance against murder or assassination plots.
Anyone who poisons your food is in for a shocker because according to Mark 16:17-18, you are free from harm. But if such a poison affects you, it shows something is wrong with your Christian life and relationship with God. “For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:7). Even though you may not be killed by old age, sickness, accident, murder, assassination or food poisoning, yet like Jesus Christ, you must voluntarily allow yourself to die. You must die to sin, the flesh and worldly pleasures. A dead man cannot fornicate, lie, steal or fight. The death of a thing is the end of an era. When Jesus died, the era of separation from God ended. The veil in the temple tore into two and the Holy of Hollies became accessible and visible to all. His death ended the era of being the Lamb of God; He is now the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
The Old Testament ended and the New Testament began. If you can allow yourself to be crucified with Christ, a new era of power, anointing, favor, dominion, prosperity, etc. would begin in your life. A man once had a girl friend with whom he lived until they separated. Years later, they met but the man refused to respond to the old name the lady knew him by. The lady eventually grabbed him and asked, ‘Are you not the one I am calling?’ The man denied knowing her. To avoid a scene, he invited her to a restaurant and after talking for an hour, the lady confirmed he was not the same person she knew. The man said the person she knew died several years ago the day of new birth. Until you get to the point that friends and relatives would say you are not the same person they knew, you have not started. If nobody has seen a change in your life, it is because you are not dead yet.
ACTIONPOINT: Defaulting in tithes? Pay up today and add 20% as interest (Lev. 27:31). Ask God to help you destroy all fleshly desires.
MEMORIZE: "For he that is dead is freed from sin" (Romans 6:7)
READ: Romans 6:3-8
“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:6). You are a king because the day you received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, He made you one in His Kingdom. You are not just an earthly king but a heavenly royalty. As a king under the King of kings, you may not be a victim of old age. According to 1 Corinthians 15:51, any time the rapture comes, you shall be caught up to meet with the King of glory, as long as you are living in accordance with His dictates. You may not also die of illness because 1 Peter 2:24 says you were healed by His stripes. That sickness in your body shall be destroyed for violating the temple of the living God. Similarly, as a king under Jesus Christ, you may not die of accident, not because you know tomorrow, but because Psalms 121:3-8 says your Keeper neither sleeps nor slumbers. Psalms 91:5-7 assures you of protection in the midst of fallen heroes and bullet-ridden pals, neighbors and fellow citizens. Isaiah 54:17 is your certificate of insurance against murder or assassination plots.
Anyone who poisons your food is in for a shocker because according to Mark 16:17-18, you are free from harm. But if such a poison affects you, it shows something is wrong with your Christian life and relationship with God. “For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:7). Even though you may not be killed by old age, sickness, accident, murder, assassination or food poisoning, yet like Jesus Christ, you must voluntarily allow yourself to die. You must die to sin, the flesh and worldly pleasures. A dead man cannot fornicate, lie, steal or fight. The death of a thing is the end of an era. When Jesus died, the era of separation from God ended. The veil in the temple tore into two and the Holy of Hollies became accessible and visible to all. His death ended the era of being the Lamb of God; He is now the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
The Old Testament ended and the New Testament began. If you can allow yourself to be crucified with Christ, a new era of power, anointing, favor, dominion, prosperity, etc. would begin in your life. A man once had a girl friend with whom he lived until they separated. Years later, they met but the man refused to respond to the old name the lady knew him by. The lady eventually grabbed him and asked, ‘Are you not the one I am calling?’ The man denied knowing her. To avoid a scene, he invited her to a restaurant and after talking for an hour, the lady confirmed he was not the same person she knew. The man said the person she knew died several years ago the day of new birth. Until you get to the point that friends and relatives would say you are not the same person they knew, you have not started. If nobody has seen a change in your life, it is because you are not dead yet.
ACTIONPOINT: Defaulting in tithes? Pay up today and add 20% as interest (Lev. 27:31). Ask God to help you destroy all fleshly desires.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Open Heavens September 4, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Sam 1-4
PLEASURE: A TARE?
MEMORIZE: "But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth" (1 Timothy 5:6)
READ: 1 Timothy 5:5-7
Pleasure must be entertained within the limits of God’s Word or else it becomes a snare. 1 Timothy 5:6 says, “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth”. Some pleasures can kill while others are life-giving. Every Heaven-bound saint must define his or her relationship with pleasure. How do you spend your leisure? Due to poor time management, what some Christians call leisure should have been part of their working hours. If you have not worked so hard, you do not deserve leisure. Rest is necessary only after energy is spent on work. Today, many Christians are going about in the name of rest, leisure or holiday without earning it through hard work. This is one way some have began to idolize leisure. The views of a carnal Christian and a Spirit-filled believer on leisure can be quite different. Your definition of pleasure reveals your true spiritual state, taste and affection for the Master. If you derive joy from any sinful pleasure, it shows you are yet carnal, may be not even born again.
Reading romantic novels and magazines give some youths or students much pleasure. Visiting pornographic sites on the internet is the secret pastime of some professing Christians. If you love such, you have either backslidden or have not been saved. The internet has taken away night prayers from some. Instead of keeping vigil with God, it is now kept with the internet. Yet when trouble strikes they do not run to the internet, but to the God they had no time for. If you can spend three to six hours watching television programmes or home videos, but find it difficult to spend one or two hours alone in God’s presence, leisure has become a tare in your life. It is the weight that might derail your Heaven-bound train. Uproot every tare before it unseats you. According to Hebrews 12:1, besides weights, besetting sins are tares. A besetting sin is a particular area of weakness you have closely shielded from the cleansing blood of Jesus. It is a sin you have vested interest and therefore not prepared to let go. The blood of Jesus can turn any weakness into strength. For this to take place, you must recognize the problem area, confess that weakness by exposing it. Ask God repeatedly to help you deal with it. If you sincerely pray concerning it, and take practical steps to avoid a fall, you would develop a high level resistance to that sin. Any besetting sin in your life is Satan’s means to bring you down whenever you ascend the spiritual ladder. Besetting sins are tares. Don’t cover them. Don’t make excuses for them. Let the blood of Jesus have its work on them so that you can be free.
ACTIONPOINT: It is a crime to go on holidays when you should be at work. David tried it and paid dearly for it. His life was never the same afterwards.
PLEASURE: A TARE?
MEMORIZE: "But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth" (1 Timothy 5:6)
READ: 1 Timothy 5:5-7
Pleasure must be entertained within the limits of God’s Word or else it becomes a snare. 1 Timothy 5:6 says, “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth”. Some pleasures can kill while others are life-giving. Every Heaven-bound saint must define his or her relationship with pleasure. How do you spend your leisure? Due to poor time management, what some Christians call leisure should have been part of their working hours. If you have not worked so hard, you do not deserve leisure. Rest is necessary only after energy is spent on work. Today, many Christians are going about in the name of rest, leisure or holiday without earning it through hard work. This is one way some have began to idolize leisure. The views of a carnal Christian and a Spirit-filled believer on leisure can be quite different. Your definition of pleasure reveals your true spiritual state, taste and affection for the Master. If you derive joy from any sinful pleasure, it shows you are yet carnal, may be not even born again.
Reading romantic novels and magazines give some youths or students much pleasure. Visiting pornographic sites on the internet is the secret pastime of some professing Christians. If you love such, you have either backslidden or have not been saved. The internet has taken away night prayers from some. Instead of keeping vigil with God, it is now kept with the internet. Yet when trouble strikes they do not run to the internet, but to the God they had no time for. If you can spend three to six hours watching television programmes or home videos, but find it difficult to spend one or two hours alone in God’s presence, leisure has become a tare in your life. It is the weight that might derail your Heaven-bound train. Uproot every tare before it unseats you. According to Hebrews 12:1, besides weights, besetting sins are tares. A besetting sin is a particular area of weakness you have closely shielded from the cleansing blood of Jesus. It is a sin you have vested interest and therefore not prepared to let go. The blood of Jesus can turn any weakness into strength. For this to take place, you must recognize the problem area, confess that weakness by exposing it. Ask God repeatedly to help you deal with it. If you sincerely pray concerning it, and take practical steps to avoid a fall, you would develop a high level resistance to that sin. Any besetting sin in your life is Satan’s means to bring you down whenever you ascend the spiritual ladder. Besetting sins are tares. Don’t cover them. Don’t make excuses for them. Let the blood of Jesus have its work on them so that you can be free.
ACTIONPOINT: It is a crime to go on holidays when you should be at work. David tried it and paid dearly for it. His life was never the same afterwards.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Open Heavens September 3, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Sam 29-31
USE THE ROD
MEMORIZE: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me(Psalms 23:4)
READ: John 21:15-17
In today’s reading, Jesus thrice asked Peter to feed those under him. There are three classes of people in an average church congregation. The lambs- the new converts, the sheep - mature but unavailable for service, and the sheep -mature, available and willing to serve. A true shepherd must be able to relate with these groups and impact their lives in a meaningful way. 1 Peter 5:1-4 says you must feed them with the Word of God, in a balanced way. If you keep dishing milk to your members, the lambs would benefit tremendously but the sheep would starve. Similarly, if you keep serving strong meat and bones, the sheep would be getting fatter while the lambs would starve. It is not enough to preach at every meeting. First find out the dietary needs of your flock before determining what to serve them. You could have a question and answer meeting and let members ask questions. You could monitor and establish patterns in areas of behavior, fruit or gifts of the Spirit, hospitality, etc. You could use questionnaires to find out problem areas or doctrines misunderstood. If singles are falling into premarital sex and pregnancy, it shows the need to focus on a neglected singles group, etc. No member of the church should be starved. Beyond this, let the Holy Spirit regularly guide you on messages.
In Psalms 23:4, David, an experienced shepherd mentions the place of the rod in shepherding. As a true shepherd, when the sheep sins, you must be ready to bring down the rod. In any case, punishment on sins must be commensurate, and backed up with counselling and intercession to achieve its purpose. In 1980, a young man impregnated a girl while they were still courting in one of our churches in Ilorin ( Nigeria ). When asked, they said they did it intentionally to compel their unwilling parents to bulge. They said they had already confessed and asked God for forgiveness. The following Sunday morning, I announced in church that Brother So and So and Sister So and So had fornicated and were now under suspension. Their seats would be outside by the entrance, so as to deter others from such acts. They were there for weeks. One day, the Lord said I should ask them to come in. I announced it and there was jubilation in the church. A few days later, the lady went to the maternity and before the midwife arrived, the baby came. Then God told me if the suspension has not been lifted, she would have died during labor. Unfortunately, many who claim to be sheep today are fleeing from church to church, because they are ashamed to serve punishment for wrong doing. Pastors must be careful never to accept such Achan-bred fellows into their church. Find out why some workers are coming over to your parish. Always contact the leader of their former church to ascertain their spiritual condition. If you do not discipline erring believers or leaders, God will discipline you and them.
ACTIONPOINT: Those who leave a church when disciplined for wrong doing become a curse wherever they go. Changing church does not cancel a disciplinary measure!
USE THE ROD
MEMORIZE: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me(Psalms 23:4)
READ: John 21:15-17
In today’s reading, Jesus thrice asked Peter to feed those under him. There are three classes of people in an average church congregation. The lambs- the new converts, the sheep - mature but unavailable for service, and the sheep -mature, available and willing to serve. A true shepherd must be able to relate with these groups and impact their lives in a meaningful way. 1 Peter 5:1-4 says you must feed them with the Word of God, in a balanced way. If you keep dishing milk to your members, the lambs would benefit tremendously but the sheep would starve. Similarly, if you keep serving strong meat and bones, the sheep would be getting fatter while the lambs would starve. It is not enough to preach at every meeting. First find out the dietary needs of your flock before determining what to serve them. You could have a question and answer meeting and let members ask questions. You could monitor and establish patterns in areas of behavior, fruit or gifts of the Spirit, hospitality, etc. You could use questionnaires to find out problem areas or doctrines misunderstood. If singles are falling into premarital sex and pregnancy, it shows the need to focus on a neglected singles group, etc. No member of the church should be starved. Beyond this, let the Holy Spirit regularly guide you on messages.
In Psalms 23:4, David, an experienced shepherd mentions the place of the rod in shepherding. As a true shepherd, when the sheep sins, you must be ready to bring down the rod. In any case, punishment on sins must be commensurate, and backed up with counselling and intercession to achieve its purpose. In 1980, a young man impregnated a girl while they were still courting in one of our churches in Ilorin ( Nigeria ). When asked, they said they did it intentionally to compel their unwilling parents to bulge. They said they had already confessed and asked God for forgiveness. The following Sunday morning, I announced in church that Brother So and So and Sister So and So had fornicated and were now under suspension. Their seats would be outside by the entrance, so as to deter others from such acts. They were there for weeks. One day, the Lord said I should ask them to come in. I announced it and there was jubilation in the church. A few days later, the lady went to the maternity and before the midwife arrived, the baby came. Then God told me if the suspension has not been lifted, she would have died during labor. Unfortunately, many who claim to be sheep today are fleeing from church to church, because they are ashamed to serve punishment for wrong doing. Pastors must be careful never to accept such Achan-bred fellows into their church. Find out why some workers are coming over to your parish. Always contact the leader of their former church to ascertain their spiritual condition. If you do not discipline erring believers or leaders, God will discipline you and them.
ACTIONPOINT: Those who leave a church when disciplined for wrong doing become a curse wherever they go. Changing church does not cancel a disciplinary measure!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Open Heavens September 2, 2008
COMMON CHRISTIAN?
MEMORIZE: "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute." (Proverbs 12:24)
READ: 1 Kings 19:1-4
The deepest level one could descend is the bottomless pit. If you have witnessed a persistent decline in any area of your life, you are undergoing a bottomless pit experience. In the name of Jesus that fall is terminated. From now on, you will rise. Your ascent shall be unending. The pit is the next level. This is followed by the valley. Even though the valley is better than the pit as it allows you more air space, more leg room and a little more light, it is not the best place to be. Anyone who is in the valley is below average. Anyone in the valley cannot have true happiness. It is a place of limited sight and vision. If you have no vision for your life, family, ministry or business, you are in the valley. The valley is a place of discouragement and depression. Once in a while, valley inhabitants contemplate suicide. When Elijah found himself in the valley, he could not take the pressure anymore; so he asked God to kill him. Are you discouraged? Does it appear like the whole world has turned against you? Does it look like you can never make it no matter your effort or prayers? Is a voice telling you to give up or to commit suicide? Don’t! You shall not die. The Lord is doing something about your case now. I rebuke every suicide spirit and dislodge every satanic stronghold over your life and situation now. Your change has come in Jesus’ Name.
The next level is the ground level. This is where all the common people are. The bulk of the earth’s population can be found here. Anyone who will be relevant in God’s plan is obviously missing from this crowd. The ground level is a place of convenience. Everything is done according to one’s convenience. Average people occupy this level. If you find it difficult to obey God when it is not convenient, you are at this level. If it appears an impossible task to carry out a major restitution in your life, you are at this level. If you have pegged the amount you can give to God as offering in any service, you are operating from the ground level. No wonder you cannot stand out in a crowd! Being in any of these grounds is not by design but by choice. As long as you choose to serve, praise, worship or give to God according to convenience, you would have the crowd to contend with. If you are on the ground level, your movement is unrestricted, yet you would lack direction as you would be distracted from the four corners of the earth by the crowd around you. You are not getting any younger. When would you decide to become outstanding for God? When would you stop being a common believer? God has a higher place for you. Leave where you are now.
ACTIONPOINT: Noise and distraction are common features of a ground level Christian. To avoid these, move up.
MEMORIZE: "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute." (Proverbs 12:24)
READ: 1 Kings 19:1-4
The deepest level one could descend is the bottomless pit. If you have witnessed a persistent decline in any area of your life, you are undergoing a bottomless pit experience. In the name of Jesus that fall is terminated. From now on, you will rise. Your ascent shall be unending. The pit is the next level. This is followed by the valley. Even though the valley is better than the pit as it allows you more air space, more leg room and a little more light, it is not the best place to be. Anyone who is in the valley is below average. Anyone in the valley cannot have true happiness. It is a place of limited sight and vision. If you have no vision for your life, family, ministry or business, you are in the valley. The valley is a place of discouragement and depression. Once in a while, valley inhabitants contemplate suicide. When Elijah found himself in the valley, he could not take the pressure anymore; so he asked God to kill him. Are you discouraged? Does it appear like the whole world has turned against you? Does it look like you can never make it no matter your effort or prayers? Is a voice telling you to give up or to commit suicide? Don’t! You shall not die. The Lord is doing something about your case now. I rebuke every suicide spirit and dislodge every satanic stronghold over your life and situation now. Your change has come in Jesus’ Name.
The next level is the ground level. This is where all the common people are. The bulk of the earth’s population can be found here. Anyone who will be relevant in God’s plan is obviously missing from this crowd. The ground level is a place of convenience. Everything is done according to one’s convenience. Average people occupy this level. If you find it difficult to obey God when it is not convenient, you are at this level. If it appears an impossible task to carry out a major restitution in your life, you are at this level. If you have pegged the amount you can give to God as offering in any service, you are operating from the ground level. No wonder you cannot stand out in a crowd! Being in any of these grounds is not by design but by choice. As long as you choose to serve, praise, worship or give to God according to convenience, you would have the crowd to contend with. If you are on the ground level, your movement is unrestricted, yet you would lack direction as you would be distracted from the four corners of the earth by the crowd around you. You are not getting any younger. When would you decide to become outstanding for God? When would you stop being a common believer? God has a higher place for you. Leave where you are now.
ACTIONPOINT: Noise and distraction are common features of a ground level Christian. To avoid these, move up.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Open Heavens September 1, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Sam 21-24
THE BENCH MARK
MEMORIZE: "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help" “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” (Psalms 121:1)
READ: Psalms 123:1-2
God wants you on the mountain top. To climb, or move to higher ground, there are certain steps you must take. First, you will lift up your eyes to see where the mountain top is located. According to Hebrews 12:1 and Psalms123:1-2, your eyes must be on the Lord. Never make man your standard no matter how highly placed or esteemed he may be. Matthew 5:48 says your heavenly Father’s standard of perfection is equally expected from mountain climbers. Leaders with exemplary lives and conduct could be good encouragement to mountain climbers. To pick up a human mentor, it is not enough that the fellow is higher than you, but that he maintains his climb. He could be higher than you yet on a descent. Making such a fellow your standard would compel you to go down when he goes down. Several young Christians have since reached their peak in their spiritual lives simply because they got hooked on a leader who has stopped climbing.
Sometime in 1975, I was given an opportunity to preach while my father in the Lord sat beside me at the altar. Full of youth and zeal, I lacked wisdom then. Out of zeal I said that even if my spiritual father was no longer on the path to Heaven, I would thank him for showing me the way, and continue my journey. He realized I said this out of zeal and took no offense, but immediately told me he was still in the race for the greatest height -Heaven. Mountain climbers do not only see the glory of God; they also see themselves. Until you lift up your eyes, you will never be dissatisfied with your present achievement or position. The period I was able to pray for 36 hours none stop with my friend, I thought I had performed a feat. Oh! I had become a great prayer warrior! But by God’s mercy, He made me stumble on a book a few days later where I read about a man who prayed for 30 days non stop and I felt humbled. I realized I had not started. Some people celebrate a trickle of God’s rain on their lives to the extent that they lose the rain. When some people cast out a demon, that would be the beginning of their deliverance ministry. What are your exploits in God’s Kingdom? You can go higher. Whatever you have achieved is only the beginning. There is room for something better. If you stop where you are, very soon, you would find that you have been displaced. Never allow your present level of success get in your way. You are meant for the heights!
ACTIONPOINT: A local champion who refuses to grow, develop or continue to take progressive strides
THE BENCH MARK
MEMORIZE: "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help" “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” (Psalms 121:1)
READ: Psalms 123:1-2
God wants you on the mountain top. To climb, or move to higher ground, there are certain steps you must take. First, you will lift up your eyes to see where the mountain top is located. According to Hebrews 12:1 and Psalms123:1-2, your eyes must be on the Lord. Never make man your standard no matter how highly placed or esteemed he may be. Matthew 5:48 says your heavenly Father’s standard of perfection is equally expected from mountain climbers. Leaders with exemplary lives and conduct could be good encouragement to mountain climbers. To pick up a human mentor, it is not enough that the fellow is higher than you, but that he maintains his climb. He could be higher than you yet on a descent. Making such a fellow your standard would compel you to go down when he goes down. Several young Christians have since reached their peak in their spiritual lives simply because they got hooked on a leader who has stopped climbing.
Sometime in 1975, I was given an opportunity to preach while my father in the Lord sat beside me at the altar. Full of youth and zeal, I lacked wisdom then. Out of zeal I said that even if my spiritual father was no longer on the path to Heaven, I would thank him for showing me the way, and continue my journey. He realized I said this out of zeal and took no offense, but immediately told me he was still in the race for the greatest height -Heaven. Mountain climbers do not only see the glory of God; they also see themselves. Until you lift up your eyes, you will never be dissatisfied with your present achievement or position. The period I was able to pray for 36 hours none stop with my friend, I thought I had performed a feat. Oh! I had become a great prayer warrior! But by God’s mercy, He made me stumble on a book a few days later where I read about a man who prayed for 30 days non stop and I felt humbled. I realized I had not started. Some people celebrate a trickle of God’s rain on their lives to the extent that they lose the rain. When some people cast out a demon, that would be the beginning of their deliverance ministry. What are your exploits in God’s Kingdom? You can go higher. Whatever you have achieved is only the beginning. There is room for something better. If you stop where you are, very soon, you would find that you have been displaced. Never allow your present level of success get in your way. You are meant for the heights!
ACTIONPOINT: A local champion who refuses to grow, develop or continue to take progressive strides
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