BIBLE IN A YEAR: Rev 7-9
CALLED BEFORE BIRTH
MEMORIZE: "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy" (Romans 9:16)
READ: Romans 9:9-16
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). There is a universal call to all people. This call is not restricted to geographical divides. The call is to the rich as much as it is to the poor. In Genesis 12:1, God called Abraham. Usually, God’s call is from one thing to something else. He calls you out of ‘darkness’ and into ‘excellent light’. The moment you respond to His call, you are positioned for a journey on the path of greatness. When you heed this call, you become a beneficiary of the common wealth of Israel: you become a saved soul. Have you responded to God’s call to salvation? God has called you to good health, victory over enemies, prosperity, progress, academic success, protection and every other good thing.
The call to salvation however is the foundation on which all other calls are based. In other words, if you refuse to heed the call to salvation, you have no basis laying claim to the other calls. Give your life to Christ today! Apart from being called, we are also chosen by God. Some people erroneously believe we are chosen at the point of being saved; No. We have been chosen before the foundation of the world. According to Acts 15:18, God knew you ever before you were created. Today’s reading is a controversial passage to Christians. They often ask, What did Esau do for God to reject him and what did Jacob do for God to choose him, when the choice had been made before they were born? The truth is that God knows exactly how each of us would live and respond to Him when given an opportunity to come into this world.
Hence, He makes certain choices using indices that are unknown to us. Yet you can be sure that nobody can be as just and fair as God. If God had had to wait until we were born and have grown to a particular age before making His choice, many of us would not have lived to see that day. Besides, some men might have teamed up with Satan to reel out countless reasons why others should be chosen, and not us. God has called you. He has equally chosen you to be a special people. Have you responded to His call? The moment you are chosen, you become very special to the King of kings. How are you living today? Is there any difference in your life? Are you living to please Him or yourself?
ACTIONPOINT: Thank God for choosing you before the foundation of the world. Pray that you will never disappoint Him.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Open Heavens October 30, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Rev 4-6
MIND BLINDNESS
MEMORIZE: "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Corinthians 4:4)
READ: 2 Kings 6:18-19
“And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha” (2 Kings 6:18). When the invading Syrian army who had besieged Elisha’s house throughout the night eventually advanced towards him, Elisha asked God to make them blind, and they became blind. Their physical eyes were open but their minds became blind. As a result, whatever their eyes saw could no longer be relayed to their brain and mind for meaningful use. When they met Elisha, they told him they were looking for him and he told them he will help them to locate the person they were looking for.
When their minds were blinded, they became zombies. As a result of mind-blindness when they saw their enemy, they mistook him for a friend. They thanked him for offering to assist them to locate their target. It is a dangerous thing for the eyes of your soul to be blind. In the name of Jesus, the Lord will blind the eyes of your enemies concerning you. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Those who are not born again are targets for blindness of the mind. When the mind is blind, the most essential becomes the least important. One reason some people are still resisting the Gospel of Jesus Christ is because Satan has blinded their minds. The blindfold is spiritual in nature hence you will need to engage forces behind the blindfold in warfare.
When you defeat them in the place of prayer, the blindfold would be removed and they would easily respond to the call to salvation. When your mind is blind, your heart will be void of light; darkness will occupy such a heart. Some believers are also victims of mind blindness. If you find it difficult to prioritize, and end up wasting resources on trivialities, it is because there is a wool over your mind. When some people receive a major financial provision, they come under some influence that pushes them to spend foolishly. They forget the major things they should have done. But after the money is spent, they would be back to their senses, and list the salient things they could have done. If you are undergoing such a situation, I command every spiritual veil over your mind to be roasted now. The eyes of your mind shall be full of light and begin to see again in Jesus’ Name.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask that God should deliver you from any form of blindness. Pray that agents of darkness out to attack you be struck with mind blindness.
MIND BLINDNESS
MEMORIZE: "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Corinthians 4:4)
READ: 2 Kings 6:18-19
“And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha” (2 Kings 6:18). When the invading Syrian army who had besieged Elisha’s house throughout the night eventually advanced towards him, Elisha asked God to make them blind, and they became blind. Their physical eyes were open but their minds became blind. As a result, whatever their eyes saw could no longer be relayed to their brain and mind for meaningful use. When they met Elisha, they told him they were looking for him and he told them he will help them to locate the person they were looking for.
When their minds were blinded, they became zombies. As a result of mind-blindness when they saw their enemy, they mistook him for a friend. They thanked him for offering to assist them to locate their target. It is a dangerous thing for the eyes of your soul to be blind. In the name of Jesus, the Lord will blind the eyes of your enemies concerning you. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Those who are not born again are targets for blindness of the mind. When the mind is blind, the most essential becomes the least important. One reason some people are still resisting the Gospel of Jesus Christ is because Satan has blinded their minds. The blindfold is spiritual in nature hence you will need to engage forces behind the blindfold in warfare.
When you defeat them in the place of prayer, the blindfold would be removed and they would easily respond to the call to salvation. When your mind is blind, your heart will be void of light; darkness will occupy such a heart. Some believers are also victims of mind blindness. If you find it difficult to prioritize, and end up wasting resources on trivialities, it is because there is a wool over your mind. When some people receive a major financial provision, they come under some influence that pushes them to spend foolishly. They forget the major things they should have done. But after the money is spent, they would be back to their senses, and list the salient things they could have done. If you are undergoing such a situation, I command every spiritual veil over your mind to be roasted now. The eyes of your mind shall be full of light and begin to see again in Jesus’ Name.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask that God should deliver you from any form of blindness. Pray that agents of darkness out to attack you be struck with mind blindness.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Open Heavens October 28, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Rev 1-3
OF HOUSES AND MANSIONS
MEMORIZE: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2)
READ: John 14:1-3
It is possible to see into the heavenly realm. In 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, Paul made reference to his heavenly trips. If you have a glimpse of God, you will be able to see what is awaiting you in Heaven, which can insure you against backsliding. Such a vision can take fear away from you and increase your loyalty to the King of Glory. Sometime in 1978, the Lord opened my eyes to see my house in Heaven. It was a magnificent building - the size of a little city. It was a house with several rooms. The bricklayers were busy building more rooms. I asked the one who showed me the house, ‘All this for me? Is it not too much?’ The angel replied, ‘Every soul you lead to Christ who makes it to Heaven will have a room in your mansion. When they come to visit you periodically, they will use their rooms even if they do not sleep there. Since you are still winning souls, more rooms are being built’.
When the bible calls heavenly houses ‘mansions’ it is for lack of a better word to describe it. Some people will ask me, ‘How can you finish Congress and immediately begin Go-A-Fishing?’ It is because I am hungry for souls. How will your own house be? The number of souls won will determine the size of your mansion. One thing for sure in Heaven is that there are various types and sizes of houses. There are normal houses, executive buildings, super-executive buildings, extra -super executive buildings. Although heavenly building are huge, they are of different sizes. The Lord took a sister to Heaven and showed her beautiful house. She was surprised to see some houses that were not as beautiful as hers. When she asked the Lord, He told her the special houses are not for all His children, but for His favorites.
You are the one to determine your eternal abode. Today, many of us are busy struggling to afford a house or at best a special house on earth, while their eternal home is abandoned. No matter how good your earthly house is, one day it will be gutted by fire. Every material acquisition is meant for the fire. Why waste your time and resources investing in what will be lost to fire, when you can channel the same resources into winning souls and building your eternal abode? The call for soul winning is meant to enrich the soul winner. Hence, Daniel says the soul winner is wise. If you refuse to win souls, in Heaven you will live in eternal shame when you compare your house and rewards with that of friends and fellow believers who won several souls. Set monthly soul winning targets and pursue it with all it takes. You are meant to be great.
ACTIONPOINT: There are varying levels of eternal greatness in the heavenly planet. Your attitude to souls will determine where you will fit in
OF HOUSES AND MANSIONS
MEMORIZE: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2)
READ: John 14:1-3
It is possible to see into the heavenly realm. In 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, Paul made reference to his heavenly trips. If you have a glimpse of God, you will be able to see what is awaiting you in Heaven, which can insure you against backsliding. Such a vision can take fear away from you and increase your loyalty to the King of Glory. Sometime in 1978, the Lord opened my eyes to see my house in Heaven. It was a magnificent building - the size of a little city. It was a house with several rooms. The bricklayers were busy building more rooms. I asked the one who showed me the house, ‘All this for me? Is it not too much?’ The angel replied, ‘Every soul you lead to Christ who makes it to Heaven will have a room in your mansion. When they come to visit you periodically, they will use their rooms even if they do not sleep there. Since you are still winning souls, more rooms are being built’.
When the bible calls heavenly houses ‘mansions’ it is for lack of a better word to describe it. Some people will ask me, ‘How can you finish Congress and immediately begin Go-A-Fishing?’ It is because I am hungry for souls. How will your own house be? The number of souls won will determine the size of your mansion. One thing for sure in Heaven is that there are various types and sizes of houses. There are normal houses, executive buildings, super-executive buildings, extra -super executive buildings. Although heavenly building are huge, they are of different sizes. The Lord took a sister to Heaven and showed her beautiful house. She was surprised to see some houses that were not as beautiful as hers. When she asked the Lord, He told her the special houses are not for all His children, but for His favorites.
You are the one to determine your eternal abode. Today, many of us are busy struggling to afford a house or at best a special house on earth, while their eternal home is abandoned. No matter how good your earthly house is, one day it will be gutted by fire. Every material acquisition is meant for the fire. Why waste your time and resources investing in what will be lost to fire, when you can channel the same resources into winning souls and building your eternal abode? The call for soul winning is meant to enrich the soul winner. Hence, Daniel says the soul winner is wise. If you refuse to win souls, in Heaven you will live in eternal shame when you compare your house and rewards with that of friends and fellow believers who won several souls. Set monthly soul winning targets and pursue it with all it takes. You are meant to be great.
ACTIONPOINT: There are varying levels of eternal greatness in the heavenly planet. Your attitude to souls will determine where you will fit in
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Open Heavens October 28, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jere 49-52
A TAIL WITH A DIFFERENCE
MEMORIZE: "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries" (1 Cor. 16:9)
READ: 1 Corinthians 16:5-9
Quite a number of people are battling with closed doors in some areas of life. A door is the entrance into something, or some place such as a building, car, etc. A door, although in abstract terms, also leads into a new level. It is my prayer that the door leading to your next level of greatness will open to you today in Jesus’ Name. In Exodus 12:29-33, the Israelites who had been in slavery for about 430 years had a divine encounter, and the door of freedom shut against them for several generations was suddenly flung open. There is a covenant of wealth transfer which is purely between God and His faithful children. The Lord wants you to enter into that covenant relationship so that you can prosper from the sweat and efforts of the unbelievers.
There is a reservoir of the blessings of godless people awaiting your entry. From today, like the Israelites you will enter in and take the harvest you never worked for. “And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shall not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them” (Deut. 28:13). God’s will for you is to be the head. If you are a tail, you are in the wrong place. There is nothing good about being a tail except for the purpose of trying your faith. The tail is so useless that God never gave one to man. As a tail, Joseph enjoyed divine favor which distinguished him from other tails, and eventually took him to the throne.
Are you the tail in your family, career or profession, school or ministry? The Lord will open you the doors of favor to usher you into headship this season. When the door of headship was thrown open to Joseph - a tail in the prison yard, he became a father to the head of Egypt. Without his permission nothing could happen in the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:44). The doors of headship will open for you this season. Those who have kept you under will suddenly find your place far above them. The Lord will make you a father to those who have always looked down on you. Your time to ascend your high places is now. To benefit from this, obey God completely. Love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-39). Such love must be genuine. Joshua was a tail-turned head. You too will become head as you totally submit to the Head of heads - Jesus Christ.
ACTIONPOINT: If you are finding it difficult to live up to your responsibility as head of a family, church or business, examine the extent you are yielded to Jesus - the Head of heads.
A TAIL WITH A DIFFERENCE
MEMORIZE: "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries" (1 Cor. 16:9)
READ: 1 Corinthians 16:5-9
Quite a number of people are battling with closed doors in some areas of life. A door is the entrance into something, or some place such as a building, car, etc. A door, although in abstract terms, also leads into a new level. It is my prayer that the door leading to your next level of greatness will open to you today in Jesus’ Name. In Exodus 12:29-33, the Israelites who had been in slavery for about 430 years had a divine encounter, and the door of freedom shut against them for several generations was suddenly flung open. There is a covenant of wealth transfer which is purely between God and His faithful children. The Lord wants you to enter into that covenant relationship so that you can prosper from the sweat and efforts of the unbelievers.
There is a reservoir of the blessings of godless people awaiting your entry. From today, like the Israelites you will enter in and take the harvest you never worked for. “And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shall not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them” (Deut. 28:13). God’s will for you is to be the head. If you are a tail, you are in the wrong place. There is nothing good about being a tail except for the purpose of trying your faith. The tail is so useless that God never gave one to man. As a tail, Joseph enjoyed divine favor which distinguished him from other tails, and eventually took him to the throne.
Are you the tail in your family, career or profession, school or ministry? The Lord will open you the doors of favor to usher you into headship this season. When the door of headship was thrown open to Joseph - a tail in the prison yard, he became a father to the head of Egypt. Without his permission nothing could happen in the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:44). The doors of headship will open for you this season. Those who have kept you under will suddenly find your place far above them. The Lord will make you a father to those who have always looked down on you. Your time to ascend your high places is now. To benefit from this, obey God completely. Love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-39). Such love must be genuine. Joshua was a tail-turned head. You too will become head as you totally submit to the Head of heads - Jesus Christ.
ACTIONPOINT: If you are finding it difficult to live up to your responsibility as head of a family, church or business, examine the extent you are yielded to Jesus - the Head of heads.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Open Heavens October 27, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jere 45-48
SEPARATION FROM SORROW
MEMORIZE: "I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth" (Ecclesiastes 10:7)
READ: Exodus 15:1-8
Throughout the years of bondage in Egypt, one common experience of the Hebrews was pain - physical and mental torture. How do you feel when placed under a school certificate holder in your office, even when you have your masters or doctorate degree? When princes are trekking and servants are chauffeur-driven in the latest cars, it brings mental torture. When colleagues during your school days who were regarded as public dogs have settled down in marriage, but you who kept yourself from such a wayward life are still single, how you do feel? How do you feel when your school days colleagues who were block heads, whose only chances of passing examinations was by cheating, or selling their bodies while you worked very hard, are now gainfully employed while you are at their mercy begging to be assisted with a job? It is painful. It is pure torture. This is similar to what the Israelites went through. Some people with higher degrees were employed on the condition that they would be rated with their School Certificate.
It is painful. The good news is that just as an end came to pain and torture in the lives of the Israelites, the Lord is closing the chapter of pain in your life today in Jesus’ Name. My God is turning around your situation this season. According to Psalms 71:21, He will compensate you for all past troubles and painful experiences. The Israeli turning point also marked the end of sorrow. Anyone in bondage, poverty or pain is in sorrow. Whatever is causing sorrow in your life shall be terminated. Some Christians cannot remember the last time they experienced something worth celebrating. The only song you hear from their mouth is a dirge. A complaint. They are always moody and gloomy. They hardly wear a smile. Every hour of the day, their face muscles disfigure their faces. Has the spirit of sorrow become your close companion? The Lord who separated Hannah from sorrow, will separate you from sorrow in Jesus’ Name. This year, the Lord will fill your life with joyful moments. There shall be celebrations galore in your life. Today, disown sorrow. Call on the Lord for a change of era - from sorrow to joy. Expect the change. Hold fast to the Lord, until the change is effected. Worship God for your expected era of joy. Like Moses and the Israelites, you shall sing a new song from now on.
ACTIONPOINT: Father, today, separate me and my family from sorrow and pain and let our joy be full.
SEPARATION FROM SORROW
MEMORIZE: "I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth" (Ecclesiastes 10:7)
READ: Exodus 15:1-8
Throughout the years of bondage in Egypt, one common experience of the Hebrews was pain - physical and mental torture. How do you feel when placed under a school certificate holder in your office, even when you have your masters or doctorate degree? When princes are trekking and servants are chauffeur-driven in the latest cars, it brings mental torture. When colleagues during your school days who were regarded as public dogs have settled down in marriage, but you who kept yourself from such a wayward life are still single, how you do feel? How do you feel when your school days colleagues who were block heads, whose only chances of passing examinations was by cheating, or selling their bodies while you worked very hard, are now gainfully employed while you are at their mercy begging to be assisted with a job? It is painful. It is pure torture. This is similar to what the Israelites went through. Some people with higher degrees were employed on the condition that they would be rated with their School Certificate.
It is painful. The good news is that just as an end came to pain and torture in the lives of the Israelites, the Lord is closing the chapter of pain in your life today in Jesus’ Name. My God is turning around your situation this season. According to Psalms 71:21, He will compensate you for all past troubles and painful experiences. The Israeli turning point also marked the end of sorrow. Anyone in bondage, poverty or pain is in sorrow. Whatever is causing sorrow in your life shall be terminated. Some Christians cannot remember the last time they experienced something worth celebrating. The only song you hear from their mouth is a dirge. A complaint. They are always moody and gloomy. They hardly wear a smile. Every hour of the day, their face muscles disfigure their faces. Has the spirit of sorrow become your close companion? The Lord who separated Hannah from sorrow, will separate you from sorrow in Jesus’ Name. This year, the Lord will fill your life with joyful moments. There shall be celebrations galore in your life. Today, disown sorrow. Call on the Lord for a change of era - from sorrow to joy. Expect the change. Hold fast to the Lord, until the change is effected. Worship God for your expected era of joy. Like Moses and the Israelites, you shall sing a new song from now on.
ACTIONPOINT: Father, today, separate me and my family from sorrow and pain and let our joy be full.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Open Heavens October 26, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 11:13-31
YOU NEVER ASKED
MEMORIZE: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him" (Matthew 7:11)
READ: Matthew 7:7-11
“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:2). The desires of some believers are not met because they never asked in the first place. In Luke 15:11-12, the day the prodigal son went to ask for his portion of his father’s wealth, his father divided all he had into two. The younger son took his and left, but the older son never got a pin, even though his portion was ready for collection! Why? Because he never asked. God has a daily portion for all His children: yet many of them do not take a pin out of it, but end up complaining, grumbling and envying their brethren who receive theirs; just because they refused to ask. Although Heaven makes provision for every assignment and need facing you, you may never receive anything until you ask effectively. Do you know there are things meant for you which Heaven has failed to release because you have not asked?
If Bartimeaus - the erstwhile blind man never asked, he would have died a blind beggar. If Peter never asked while sinking, that could have been the end of his life. If Daniel and his trio never asked, they would have been destroyed with the wise men of Babylon. Many Christians are living in sorrow when they could live in joy and celebrate daily, because they refuse to ask. Those who receive are those who ask. Those who receive big things are those who make asking their hobby. What is stopping you from asking God for your desires? In John 16:24, Jesus says, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full”. Ask today! Another lesson from the life of the elder brother of the prodigal son is that if you are contented with your present state, Heaven will have no need to effect a change.
Many believers are non-challant about their state, hence it has persisted. Until you are fed up with that situation you are ‘managing’ or enduring, a change cannot come. The return of the prodigal son and the celebration that followed provoked anger in the elder son. He was surprised that while he could not get a kid to celebrate with his friends, the fattest cow was killed and a lavish party used in celebrating the return of his younger brother. Whether you like it or not, while some believers cannot get a kid for several years of service, some are getting the fattest cows. What are you getting: a kid or a cow? It depends entirely on you. If you cause Heaven to be agog with joy and celebration especially through winning souls to Christ, you can be sure your cows are on the way. To what extent do you really make God happy with you?
ACTIONPOINT: You can make God happy consciously, by mistake or not at all. The way you choose is the same medium God will repay you.
YOU NEVER ASKED
MEMORIZE: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him" (Matthew 7:11)
READ: Matthew 7:7-11
“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:2). The desires of some believers are not met because they never asked in the first place. In Luke 15:11-12, the day the prodigal son went to ask for his portion of his father’s wealth, his father divided all he had into two. The younger son took his and left, but the older son never got a pin, even though his portion was ready for collection! Why? Because he never asked. God has a daily portion for all His children: yet many of them do not take a pin out of it, but end up complaining, grumbling and envying their brethren who receive theirs; just because they refused to ask. Although Heaven makes provision for every assignment and need facing you, you may never receive anything until you ask effectively. Do you know there are things meant for you which Heaven has failed to release because you have not asked?
If Bartimeaus - the erstwhile blind man never asked, he would have died a blind beggar. If Peter never asked while sinking, that could have been the end of his life. If Daniel and his trio never asked, they would have been destroyed with the wise men of Babylon. Many Christians are living in sorrow when they could live in joy and celebrate daily, because they refuse to ask. Those who receive are those who ask. Those who receive big things are those who make asking their hobby. What is stopping you from asking God for your desires? In John 16:24, Jesus says, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full”. Ask today! Another lesson from the life of the elder brother of the prodigal son is that if you are contented with your present state, Heaven will have no need to effect a change.
Many believers are non-challant about their state, hence it has persisted. Until you are fed up with that situation you are ‘managing’ or enduring, a change cannot come. The return of the prodigal son and the celebration that followed provoked anger in the elder son. He was surprised that while he could not get a kid to celebrate with his friends, the fattest cow was killed and a lavish party used in celebrating the return of his younger brother. Whether you like it or not, while some believers cannot get a kid for several years of service, some are getting the fattest cows. What are you getting: a kid or a cow? It depends entirely on you. If you cause Heaven to be agog with joy and celebration especially through winning souls to Christ, you can be sure your cows are on the way. To what extent do you really make God happy with you?
ACTIONPOINT: You can make God happy consciously, by mistake or not at all. The way you choose is the same medium God will repay you.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Open Heavens October 25, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jere 37-40
SEVEN DEFENSE WALLS
MEMORIZE: "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler" (Psalms 91:4)
READ: Psalms 125:1-3
In 2 Kings 6:17, Elisha prayed that the eyes of his servant be opened. God heard and his servant saw the heavenly hosts which surrounded the invading Syrian army, and fear disappeared from his heart. Every bonafide believer is entitled to a special divine security provision consisting of seven walls. No enemy can penetrate this formidable security system whenever it is in place. The first of these walls is the blood of Jesus Christ. Apart from cleansing from sin, the blood of Jesus forms a wall of protection around every child of God. How often do you come under the blood of Jesus? Another wall is the wall of fire. Zechariah 2:5 says God will become a fiery wall around His children. You may not see it but there is a wall of fire around you as long as you live holy.
“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalms 34:7). If you fear God and keep His Word, you can be sure of an angelic camping zone around you. This covers all you have. Nothing evil will come near your dwelling place, because of this wall of defense. Besides, the name of the Lord is another wall that can secure the righteous. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe”. If you are not born again, the Name of Jesus will work for you out of mercy. But if you are born again and you are not living in sin, call on that Name and the wall of protection will automatically respond.
According to Psalms 91:1, God’s shadow is another wall that if you come under, you have nothing to fear. In addition, the wall of His wings according to Psalms 91:4 is very reliable. It never disappoints those who put their trust in it. The wall of His presence is very important. Many believers have tares and hindrances, or fall into dangerous situations just because they keep away from the presence of God. If you can regularly come into His presence at home and in church, and spend quality time there, no evil can penetrate God’s presence to harm you. All evils keep out of God’s presence. To what extent are you enjoying these walls of protection? They are not for decoration. They are there to protect you from the lions and Herods of the earth. Come under them today!
ACTIONPOINT: Make conscious use of these walls of defense from today. Pray for the greatest move of God during this year's Holy Ghost Congress.
SEVEN DEFENSE WALLS
MEMORIZE: "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler" (Psalms 91:4)
READ: Psalms 125:1-3
In 2 Kings 6:17, Elisha prayed that the eyes of his servant be opened. God heard and his servant saw the heavenly hosts which surrounded the invading Syrian army, and fear disappeared from his heart. Every bonafide believer is entitled to a special divine security provision consisting of seven walls. No enemy can penetrate this formidable security system whenever it is in place. The first of these walls is the blood of Jesus Christ. Apart from cleansing from sin, the blood of Jesus forms a wall of protection around every child of God. How often do you come under the blood of Jesus? Another wall is the wall of fire. Zechariah 2:5 says God will become a fiery wall around His children. You may not see it but there is a wall of fire around you as long as you live holy.
“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalms 34:7). If you fear God and keep His Word, you can be sure of an angelic camping zone around you. This covers all you have. Nothing evil will come near your dwelling place, because of this wall of defense. Besides, the name of the Lord is another wall that can secure the righteous. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe”. If you are not born again, the Name of Jesus will work for you out of mercy. But if you are born again and you are not living in sin, call on that Name and the wall of protection will automatically respond.
According to Psalms 91:1, God’s shadow is another wall that if you come under, you have nothing to fear. In addition, the wall of His wings according to Psalms 91:4 is very reliable. It never disappoints those who put their trust in it. The wall of His presence is very important. Many believers have tares and hindrances, or fall into dangerous situations just because they keep away from the presence of God. If you can regularly come into His presence at home and in church, and spend quality time there, no evil can penetrate God’s presence to harm you. All evils keep out of God’s presence. To what extent are you enjoying these walls of protection? They are not for decoration. They are there to protect you from the lions and Herods of the earth. Come under them today!
ACTIONPOINT: Make conscious use of these walls of defense from today. Pray for the greatest move of God during this year's Holy Ghost Congress.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Open Heavens October 24, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jere 33-36
POSSIBILITIES OF THANKSGIVING
MEMORIZE: "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name" (Psalm 100:4)
READ: Daniel 4:34-37
Thanksgiving is an indispensable duty of every child of God. It is difficult to make any meaningful progress in God’s Kingdom without it. An examination of king Nebuchadnezzar’s experience shows how thanksgiving can possibly affect every facet of life. At the peak of his rule which covered the world then, pride entered him and God had no choice but to bring him to judgement. Under unexplainable circumstances, king Nebuchadnezzar was dethroned and forced into the forest where he became a strange, lone beast. After seven years, he lifted up his eyes to God for mercy, and God restored his human consciousness, although still trapped in the body of a beast. Instead of complaining, he began to thank and praise God until he got more than he bargained for.
There are several benefits of thanksgiving. As king Nebuchadnezzar thanked and worshiped the God of Heaven, his reasoning ability was restored. Thanksgiving can positively affect your mental faculty and improve your reasoning. This means you can break the yoke of dullness of the brain, and positively affect your Intelligent Quotient (IQ) through heart felt, devoted and consistent acts of thanksgiving. Similarly, thanksgiving can affect the glory of a man or woman. The lost glory of king Nebuchadnezzar returned during thanksgiving. Some people once operated under a heavy anointing which birthed spectacular miracles. Some people once controlled large sums of money or managed a high number of staff: but today the reverse is the case. Do you know that you can recover your lost glory through thanking God?
In addition, thanksgiving can attract honor and brightness to you. It can also cause those designed to favor you to suddenly remember you for favor. Nebuchadnezzar was forgotten for seven years. But while profusely thanking God as a strange beast, his lords suddenly remembered that they once had him as king; and immediately dispatched search parties after him, until he was found in the forest. The reason some believers are still where they are is because those who should help them have not remembered them. Thanksgiving can make your helpers to remember you. As you thank God from today, those who would give you good jobs, juicy contracts and opportunities would seek you not-stop, until they deliver your blessing in their care. Thanksgiving facilitated Nebuchadnezzar’s establishment. If you can thank God enough, He would restore you to your lost position, and add something greater. According to Luke 17:1119, it can make you whole, entire or complete. That means without thanksgiving you cannot be complete. Psalms 100:4 says thanksgiving is a door that ushers you into God’s presence.
ACTIONPOINT: It is not enough to enter in through the gate of the church. You cannot enter
POSSIBILITIES OF THANKSGIVING
MEMORIZE: "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name" (Psalm 100:4)
READ: Daniel 4:34-37
Thanksgiving is an indispensable duty of every child of God. It is difficult to make any meaningful progress in God’s Kingdom without it. An examination of king Nebuchadnezzar’s experience shows how thanksgiving can possibly affect every facet of life. At the peak of his rule which covered the world then, pride entered him and God had no choice but to bring him to judgement. Under unexplainable circumstances, king Nebuchadnezzar was dethroned and forced into the forest where he became a strange, lone beast. After seven years, he lifted up his eyes to God for mercy, and God restored his human consciousness, although still trapped in the body of a beast. Instead of complaining, he began to thank and praise God until he got more than he bargained for.
There are several benefits of thanksgiving. As king Nebuchadnezzar thanked and worshiped the God of Heaven, his reasoning ability was restored. Thanksgiving can positively affect your mental faculty and improve your reasoning. This means you can break the yoke of dullness of the brain, and positively affect your Intelligent Quotient (IQ) through heart felt, devoted and consistent acts of thanksgiving. Similarly, thanksgiving can affect the glory of a man or woman. The lost glory of king Nebuchadnezzar returned during thanksgiving. Some people once operated under a heavy anointing which birthed spectacular miracles. Some people once controlled large sums of money or managed a high number of staff: but today the reverse is the case. Do you know that you can recover your lost glory through thanking God?
In addition, thanksgiving can attract honor and brightness to you. It can also cause those designed to favor you to suddenly remember you for favor. Nebuchadnezzar was forgotten for seven years. But while profusely thanking God as a strange beast, his lords suddenly remembered that they once had him as king; and immediately dispatched search parties after him, until he was found in the forest. The reason some believers are still where they are is because those who should help them have not remembered them. Thanksgiving can make your helpers to remember you. As you thank God from today, those who would give you good jobs, juicy contracts and opportunities would seek you not-stop, until they deliver your blessing in their care. Thanksgiving facilitated Nebuchadnezzar’s establishment. If you can thank God enough, He would restore you to your lost position, and add something greater. According to Luke 17:1119, it can make you whole, entire or complete. That means without thanksgiving you cannot be complete. Psalms 100:4 says thanksgiving is a door that ushers you into God’s presence.
ACTIONPOINT: It is not enough to enter in through the gate of the church. You cannot enter
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Open Heavens October 23, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jere 30-32
ACCESS TO GOD'S BEDROOM
MEMORIZE: "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren " (1 John 3:16)
READ: John 15:12-14
“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent” (Matthew 27:51). The New Covenant further gives us entry permit into God’s bedroom. When Jesus died and His blood was emptied, the veil that kept us away was torn beyond repair. What was privy to the High Priest once a year has become ceaselessly open to as many as desire it. If you keep some distance from the Almighty, you cannot fully utilize the provisions of the New Covenant. Where and what you can access in God’s house is a pointer to the type of relationship existing between you and God. Some people have boasted of having a special relationship with me. I once told someone, ‘If anybody says he is Daddy G.O.’s favorite son, ask the fellow if he has ever entered my bedroom’.
A favorite son or daughter will surely enter the bedroom of their father. By His grace, as God’s favorite, I have unlimited access into God’s bedroom. If you come under the cover of this New Covenant, this will equally be your portion. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). In any meaningful covenant relationship, there will be rights and obligations. To obtain maximum benefit from a covenant relationship with the Almighty God, you must meet with certain obligations. God is only compelled to keep His part of the bargain when you do this. One of such responsibilities is that you must obey God’s commands. No heavenly-earthly partnership can thrive without this. Similarly, 1 John 3:16 says you must be selfless to the point of laying down your life for fellow believers.
In addition, the truce between God and man cannot work without expressing genuine love for the brethren. You must love fellow beneficiaries of the New Covenant. Refusing to forgive your offending brother or sister disqualifies you from partaking in the Holy Communion. If you go ahead to take the Communion without reconciling with the fellow, you will bring damnation or judgement on yourself. In addition, for the covenant to work effectively for you, be prepared to bring in as many as possible into the covenant. This means be a witness of the covenant. Tell others of the benefits of the covenant and lead them to Christ. Have you satisfied these requirements of the New Covenant? The blessings will be fully yours this season in Jesus’ Name.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God for the grace to access His bedroom from your bedroom daily
ACCESS TO GOD'S BEDROOM
MEMORIZE: "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren " (1 John 3:16)
READ: John 15:12-14
“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent” (Matthew 27:51). The New Covenant further gives us entry permit into God’s bedroom. When Jesus died and His blood was emptied, the veil that kept us away was torn beyond repair. What was privy to the High Priest once a year has become ceaselessly open to as many as desire it. If you keep some distance from the Almighty, you cannot fully utilize the provisions of the New Covenant. Where and what you can access in God’s house is a pointer to the type of relationship existing between you and God. Some people have boasted of having a special relationship with me. I once told someone, ‘If anybody says he is Daddy G.O.’s favorite son, ask the fellow if he has ever entered my bedroom’.
A favorite son or daughter will surely enter the bedroom of their father. By His grace, as God’s favorite, I have unlimited access into God’s bedroom. If you come under the cover of this New Covenant, this will equally be your portion. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). In any meaningful covenant relationship, there will be rights and obligations. To obtain maximum benefit from a covenant relationship with the Almighty God, you must meet with certain obligations. God is only compelled to keep His part of the bargain when you do this. One of such responsibilities is that you must obey God’s commands. No heavenly-earthly partnership can thrive without this. Similarly, 1 John 3:16 says you must be selfless to the point of laying down your life for fellow believers.
In addition, the truce between God and man cannot work without expressing genuine love for the brethren. You must love fellow beneficiaries of the New Covenant. Refusing to forgive your offending brother or sister disqualifies you from partaking in the Holy Communion. If you go ahead to take the Communion without reconciling with the fellow, you will bring damnation or judgement on yourself. In addition, for the covenant to work effectively for you, be prepared to bring in as many as possible into the covenant. This means be a witness of the covenant. Tell others of the benefits of the covenant and lead them to Christ. Have you satisfied these requirements of the New Covenant? The blessings will be fully yours this season in Jesus’ Name.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God for the grace to access His bedroom from your bedroom daily
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Open Heavens October 22, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jere 27-29
GRACE GIVER
MEMORIZE: "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17)
READ: John 1:14-176
On the mount of Transfiguration, the face of Jesus suddenly began to shine as the sun (Matthew 17:1-9). If you can come to the mountain top of God’s presence, your face will assume a heavenly outlook. It is this bright heavenly look you need to compel everything and everyone that sees you into obedience. Apart from a shinning face, His dress also glowed. This also intimates us with the look of our heavenly dress. His dress became as white as light. Today, people struggle for designer wears. The sad thing about this is that before long, it becomes irrelevant, or out of fashion because worldly fashion is transient (1 Cor. 7:31). But heavenly designer wears remain in vogue forever!
Another thing we note from the Transfiguration account is that Moses and Elijah appeared. Even when they did not introduce themselves, as soon as they appeared, the trio recognized them. Even when these had died several hundreds and thousands of years earlier, they were recognized. When we get to Heaven, we shall easily recognize one another. In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known”. There is a level of superior knowledge that pervades the heavenly planet, that is not common to earth. Some brethren, who went on a visit to Heaven, were surprised that not only could they identify patriachs of old at first sight, but they too were easily identified, and addressed by name by those they met for the first time.
When Moses and Elijah met with Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration, I believe it was in connection with His mission on earth. Moses represents the Law, Elijah represents the Prophets while Jesus Christ represents Grace. When you come into God’s presence and stay long enough, God will let you know your mission in life. When God gives you a mission, it should be viewed from three major aspects: Preparation, Execution and Reward. For instance, for a three and a half years ministry, Jesus prepared for 40 days and nights of fasting and prayer. Preparation must precede execution. Many of us receive God’s call to a particular assignment, but never see the need to prepare for it. It is in the wilderness that preparations are made, not in the palace. Are you going through a wilderness experience? God could just be preparing you for the next level. God cannot use many of His children with great potentials, because they are not yet prepared for where God is taking them. Heaven and earth regard you when you are a wilderness graduate of the University of Heaven. The reward follows after the assignment is done.
ACTIONPOINT: Thank God for the founders and General Overseers of Bible believing churches worldwide.
GRACE GIVER
MEMORIZE: "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17)
READ: John 1:14-176
On the mount of Transfiguration, the face of Jesus suddenly began to shine as the sun (Matthew 17:1-9). If you can come to the mountain top of God’s presence, your face will assume a heavenly outlook. It is this bright heavenly look you need to compel everything and everyone that sees you into obedience. Apart from a shinning face, His dress also glowed. This also intimates us with the look of our heavenly dress. His dress became as white as light. Today, people struggle for designer wears. The sad thing about this is that before long, it becomes irrelevant, or out of fashion because worldly fashion is transient (1 Cor. 7:31). But heavenly designer wears remain in vogue forever!
Another thing we note from the Transfiguration account is that Moses and Elijah appeared. Even when they did not introduce themselves, as soon as they appeared, the trio recognized them. Even when these had died several hundreds and thousands of years earlier, they were recognized. When we get to Heaven, we shall easily recognize one another. In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known”. There is a level of superior knowledge that pervades the heavenly planet, that is not common to earth. Some brethren, who went on a visit to Heaven, were surprised that not only could they identify patriachs of old at first sight, but they too were easily identified, and addressed by name by those they met for the first time.
When Moses and Elijah met with Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration, I believe it was in connection with His mission on earth. Moses represents the Law, Elijah represents the Prophets while Jesus Christ represents Grace. When you come into God’s presence and stay long enough, God will let you know your mission in life. When God gives you a mission, it should be viewed from three major aspects: Preparation, Execution and Reward. For instance, for a three and a half years ministry, Jesus prepared for 40 days and nights of fasting and prayer. Preparation must precede execution. Many of us receive God’s call to a particular assignment, but never see the need to prepare for it. It is in the wilderness that preparations are made, not in the palace. Are you going through a wilderness experience? God could just be preparing you for the next level. God cannot use many of His children with great potentials, because they are not yet prepared for where God is taking them. Heaven and earth regard you when you are a wilderness graduate of the University of Heaven. The reward follows after the assignment is done.
ACTIONPOINT: Thank God for the founders and General Overseers of Bible believing churches worldwide.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Open Heavens October 21, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jere 24-26
CAUSES OF PREMATURE DEATH
MEMORIZE: "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints" (Psalms116:15)
READ: Deut. 32:48-52
Long life on earth and eternity in Heaven are part of God’s promises to believers. For instance, in Psalms 91:16, God says, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation”. Also, Job 5:26 says, “Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season”. Is anyone or anything threatening to snuff life out of you? There is an appointed date with death: until that day, you shall not die. You shall live up to your full age in Jesus’ Name. Although God has promised us long life, not every believer is living up to their full age. In fact, quite a number of believers die before their appointed time. This makes God unhappy as it would definitely affect His plan for their lives.
There are several reasons believers die before the appointed time. First, it could be as a result of disobedience. Let us take Moses as an example. He started his ministry at the age of 80. From birth, it was evident to his parents that God had a plan for his life. He died at the age of 120. Deuteronomy 34:7 says, “And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated”. At the time Moses had to die, his strength, anointing and body could go another distance in years of ministry. God had equipped him to take the Israelites into the promised land; yet he died prematurely because he refused to put God first, and obey Him completely (Deut. 32:48-52). Trivializing God’s commands could cut short your life span!
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints”(Psalm 116:15). God takes the homecoming of His faithful children as a very important event. The exit of a bonafide believer from the earth is a big event that Heaven celebrates. But disobedience, or not making God number one, could erode the glamour of such a triumphant heavenly entry. Eli’s death was a fallout of God’s judgement on him and his children (1 Samuel 3:11-14). He heard a sad news concerning the capture of the ark and fell backwards and broke his neck. He should have lived longer and witnessed a better death, but because he found it difficult to fear God, he brought a shameful death upon himself (1 Sam. 4:12 18). Keeping God’s commandments is in your own interest. If you want to live to your full age, fear God.
ACTIONPOINT: Examine yourself and locate any possible cause of untimely death in your life. Ask God to help you destroy them today. Ask that you shall not die until you complete your God-given assignment.
CAUSES OF PREMATURE DEATH
MEMORIZE: "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints" (Psalms116:15)
READ: Deut. 32:48-52
Long life on earth and eternity in Heaven are part of God’s promises to believers. For instance, in Psalms 91:16, God says, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation”. Also, Job 5:26 says, “Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season”. Is anyone or anything threatening to snuff life out of you? There is an appointed date with death: until that day, you shall not die. You shall live up to your full age in Jesus’ Name. Although God has promised us long life, not every believer is living up to their full age. In fact, quite a number of believers die before their appointed time. This makes God unhappy as it would definitely affect His plan for their lives.
There are several reasons believers die before the appointed time. First, it could be as a result of disobedience. Let us take Moses as an example. He started his ministry at the age of 80. From birth, it was evident to his parents that God had a plan for his life. He died at the age of 120. Deuteronomy 34:7 says, “And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated”. At the time Moses had to die, his strength, anointing and body could go another distance in years of ministry. God had equipped him to take the Israelites into the promised land; yet he died prematurely because he refused to put God first, and obey Him completely (Deut. 32:48-52). Trivializing God’s commands could cut short your life span!
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints”(Psalm 116:15). God takes the homecoming of His faithful children as a very important event. The exit of a bonafide believer from the earth is a big event that Heaven celebrates. But disobedience, or not making God number one, could erode the glamour of such a triumphant heavenly entry. Eli’s death was a fallout of God’s judgement on him and his children (1 Samuel 3:11-14). He heard a sad news concerning the capture of the ark and fell backwards and broke his neck. He should have lived longer and witnessed a better death, but because he found it difficult to fear God, he brought a shameful death upon himself (1 Sam. 4:12 18). Keeping God’s commandments is in your own interest. If you want to live to your full age, fear God.
ACTIONPOINT: Examine yourself and locate any possible cause of untimely death in your life. Ask God to help you destroy them today. Ask that you shall not die until you complete your God-given assignment.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Open Heavens October 20, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jere 21-23
END OF UNREWARDED LABOR
MEMORIZE: "And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth" (2 Samuel 9:12)
READ: 2 Samuel 9:5-10
In Israel, the Passover was significant in many ways. The end of an era is the beginning of another. Until one era ends, another will not start. The Passover experience recorded in Exodus 12:2-12 terminated the era of Egyptian bondage. For 430 years, the Israelites acted out the script of slavery the Egyptians wrote for them. Some Christians today are still living according to the dictates of their puppet masters. They are not free to live their lives. They cannot go where they want, but where their manipulators ask them to. They cannot wear the fine clothes they desire, but the rags provided by their oppressors. They cannot ride their choice cars, but the scrap their controllers allow them. They start building a boys quarters and it takes them a life time to complete it. Are you living out the enemy’s script? The Lord will bring an end to that this season in the mighty Name of Jesus.
The Israelites also moved from poverty to prosperity. For years they lived from hand to mouth. Their labors only enriched their enemies while they got more impoverished. They kept wandering within the circle of poverty until that era came to an end. For a user of this Devotional, your era of acute poverty has ended, and the era of immense wealth has just began. Some people have beautiful ideas yet cannot benefit from their use. Such ideas only help to empower others. Sometimes, the ideas are stolen and they would have to start all over again. At other times, they have the ideas that could take them into prominence, prosperity and a blissful time on earth, yet such ideas remain dead or at best impotent.
Every dead or impotent idea meant to take you to your promised land shall receive divine breath today. It shall begin to speak. It shall no more be hid. That idea shall bring you out. It shall change your status. It shall cause you to be the head in Jesus’ Name. The Lord is giving you a new beginning. The era of poverty is coming to an end. The Lord will promote you to become an employer of labor. The era of unrewarded labor has come to an end in your life. From now on, you will reap from your investments. Your certificates and wealth of experience will work for you. You will harvest from the vineyard you planted. Like Mephibosheth, you will attain a place of prominence.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God to release the payment for unrewarded labor and effort to you.
END OF UNREWARDED LABOR
MEMORIZE: "And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth" (2 Samuel 9:12)
READ: 2 Samuel 9:5-10
In Israel, the Passover was significant in many ways. The end of an era is the beginning of another. Until one era ends, another will not start. The Passover experience recorded in Exodus 12:2-12 terminated the era of Egyptian bondage. For 430 years, the Israelites acted out the script of slavery the Egyptians wrote for them. Some Christians today are still living according to the dictates of their puppet masters. They are not free to live their lives. They cannot go where they want, but where their manipulators ask them to. They cannot wear the fine clothes they desire, but the rags provided by their oppressors. They cannot ride their choice cars, but the scrap their controllers allow them. They start building a boys quarters and it takes them a life time to complete it. Are you living out the enemy’s script? The Lord will bring an end to that this season in the mighty Name of Jesus.
The Israelites also moved from poverty to prosperity. For years they lived from hand to mouth. Their labors only enriched their enemies while they got more impoverished. They kept wandering within the circle of poverty until that era came to an end. For a user of this Devotional, your era of acute poverty has ended, and the era of immense wealth has just began. Some people have beautiful ideas yet cannot benefit from their use. Such ideas only help to empower others. Sometimes, the ideas are stolen and they would have to start all over again. At other times, they have the ideas that could take them into prominence, prosperity and a blissful time on earth, yet such ideas remain dead or at best impotent.
Every dead or impotent idea meant to take you to your promised land shall receive divine breath today. It shall begin to speak. It shall no more be hid. That idea shall bring you out. It shall change your status. It shall cause you to be the head in Jesus’ Name. The Lord is giving you a new beginning. The era of poverty is coming to an end. The Lord will promote you to become an employer of labor. The era of unrewarded labor has come to an end in your life. From now on, you will reap from your investments. Your certificates and wealth of experience will work for you. You will harvest from the vineyard you planted. Like Mephibosheth, you will attain a place of prominence.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God to release the payment for unrewarded labor and effort to you.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Open Heavens October 19, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exo. 11-13
LIMITING FAITH
MEMORIZE: "And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him"(Hebrews 1:6)
READ: Hebrews 11:1-6
In the parable of the lost son recorded in Luke 15:11-32, some key players were mentioned. Although the lost son was the major actor in the plot, his elder brother was another important figure. As we take a look at his life, we find one dedicated, steady and faithful son. We see an ideal son in him yet we see certain unpleasant character traits. The first lesson we learn from him is that age has nothing to do with effective relationship with God. That a fellow has been saved 20 years, does not automatically mean that he is spiritually more mature than a believer of three years. Physical age and spiritual maturity do not necessarily go together.
There are some believers who are two or three years in Christ who have won more souls for Christ, given more sacrificially for the cause of the Gospel, acquired greater level of knowledge and enjoy a higher heavenly rating than some who have been in the faith for decades, but have refused to grow. Attitude to God’s Word, level of genuine love for God, zeal, quality of spiritual health, the foundation of the individual’s Christian life, personal goal or motivation, etc. affect growth patterns. Is your growth rate commensurate with your years in Christ? Many Christians are suffering from stunted growth. After 10, 20 or 30 years in the faith, many are still living like babies. Such believers make God very unhappy. It is an irony that younger Christians easily benefit from God’s blessings than older ones. It has been observed that in several special programmes, young converts and new comers get to encounter God and share bigger testimonies than many older Christians. The elder brother could have taken his father for granted, hence he never asked. Another lesson here is that it is possible to serve God and live holy for many years and die in lack, poverty and unanswered prayers.
That is, you can have faith for service and holiness without expressing faith for prosperity. This accounts for why many dedicated and holy brethren still live in abject poverty. God deals with you according to your faith. Moses could apply faith to bring terrible plagues on Egypt, part the Red sea, bring water from the rock, yet he could not apply the same faith to heal his stammering lips. Samson could apply faith to kill a lion, thousands of enemies and relocate the enemies’ gate, yet could not apply the same faith to find a godly wife. It is how and where you apply your faith, that will determine the result you get. The elder brother of the prodigal son could apply faith to remain loyal to his father, but not to receive his personal desires. Hence he lived in envy. Are you limiting your faith to just some areas or issues? Release that faith to cover every area!
ACTIONPOINT: Faith is Heaven's currency for purchasing all blessings. Never limit it.
LIMITING FAITH
MEMORIZE: "And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him"(Hebrews 1:6)
READ: Hebrews 11:1-6
In the parable of the lost son recorded in Luke 15:11-32, some key players were mentioned. Although the lost son was the major actor in the plot, his elder brother was another important figure. As we take a look at his life, we find one dedicated, steady and faithful son. We see an ideal son in him yet we see certain unpleasant character traits. The first lesson we learn from him is that age has nothing to do with effective relationship with God. That a fellow has been saved 20 years, does not automatically mean that he is spiritually more mature than a believer of three years. Physical age and spiritual maturity do not necessarily go together.
There are some believers who are two or three years in Christ who have won more souls for Christ, given more sacrificially for the cause of the Gospel, acquired greater level of knowledge and enjoy a higher heavenly rating than some who have been in the faith for decades, but have refused to grow. Attitude to God’s Word, level of genuine love for God, zeal, quality of spiritual health, the foundation of the individual’s Christian life, personal goal or motivation, etc. affect growth patterns. Is your growth rate commensurate with your years in Christ? Many Christians are suffering from stunted growth. After 10, 20 or 30 years in the faith, many are still living like babies. Such believers make God very unhappy. It is an irony that younger Christians easily benefit from God’s blessings than older ones. It has been observed that in several special programmes, young converts and new comers get to encounter God and share bigger testimonies than many older Christians. The elder brother could have taken his father for granted, hence he never asked. Another lesson here is that it is possible to serve God and live holy for many years and die in lack, poverty and unanswered prayers.
That is, you can have faith for service and holiness without expressing faith for prosperity. This accounts for why many dedicated and holy brethren still live in abject poverty. God deals with you according to your faith. Moses could apply faith to bring terrible plagues on Egypt, part the Red sea, bring water from the rock, yet he could not apply the same faith to heal his stammering lips. Samson could apply faith to kill a lion, thousands of enemies and relocate the enemies’ gate, yet could not apply the same faith to find a godly wife. It is how and where you apply your faith, that will determine the result you get. The elder brother of the prodigal son could apply faith to remain loyal to his father, but not to receive his personal desires. Hence he lived in envy. Are you limiting your faith to just some areas or issues? Release that faith to cover every area!
ACTIONPOINT: Faith is Heaven's currency for purchasing all blessings. Never limit it.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Open Heavens October 18, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exo 8-10
REPEATING MIRACLES
MEMORIZE: "They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this" (Psalms 22:31)
READ: 1 Samuel 17:34 -37
When the Syrian army besieged Dothan in an attempt to arrest Elisha, the latter was unperturbed simply because he had some historical sense. He recalled the exploits of the God of his fathers whom he was serving. He also realized that this God cannot change, so whatever He had done before, could be repeated. God repeats miracles. Any miracle He has performed in your life or lives of others can be repeated. In 1 Kings 18, on Mount Carmel, God answered by fire. In 2 Kings 1:9-12 when some soldiers came to arrest Elijah, God repeated this miracle by roasting them with fire. Every satanic squad sent against your life or destiny shall be roasted.
On Elijah’s last trip, river Jordan parted for him and Elisha. While Elisha was returning home after his rapture, the Jordan parted for him. Ever before the river parted for the duo, it parted for Joshua. The Lord will part every river Jordan standing in your way this season in Jesus’ Name. Has God ever paid the debt of anyone you know -whether in the Bible or in our time? Then you can be certain your debts will be settled. If He has made one barren woman to conceive, your own will not be impossible to Him. When David put his life in his hands to face Goliath, he was acting on past experience of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee”. Every victory is a foundation stone for another. Just like God repeats miracles, so also does Satan repeat problems with slight configurations.
If you were confronted with lack of finance for a personal project and you trusted God and He provided, do not be surprised to face another situation of lack in your family or church. The One who gave you the victory at first is still available to repeat that victory in subsequent manifestations of the problem. Being in need of N1000 and later of N5 million, are the same problem at different levels of appearance. God is the Solver of all problems. He will meet all your needs. If you want Him to repeat miracles in your situation, document all past miracles and thank Him regularly for them. Whenever there is a problem you have overcome in the past, remind and thank Him for how He gave you victory over the previous situations. Praise and thank Him excessively, and then ask Him to repeat the miracle in that situation.
ACTIONPOINT: Have a Directory of Family Miracles - detailing God's faithfulness to you and members of your family over the years. State each challenge, steps taken to combat it and God's miracle. Use this to teach your children.
REPEATING MIRACLES
MEMORIZE: "They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this" (Psalms 22:31)
READ: 1 Samuel 17:34 -37
When the Syrian army besieged Dothan in an attempt to arrest Elisha, the latter was unperturbed simply because he had some historical sense. He recalled the exploits of the God of his fathers whom he was serving. He also realized that this God cannot change, so whatever He had done before, could be repeated. God repeats miracles. Any miracle He has performed in your life or lives of others can be repeated. In 1 Kings 18, on Mount Carmel, God answered by fire. In 2 Kings 1:9-12 when some soldiers came to arrest Elijah, God repeated this miracle by roasting them with fire. Every satanic squad sent against your life or destiny shall be roasted.
On Elijah’s last trip, river Jordan parted for him and Elisha. While Elisha was returning home after his rapture, the Jordan parted for him. Ever before the river parted for the duo, it parted for Joshua. The Lord will part every river Jordan standing in your way this season in Jesus’ Name. Has God ever paid the debt of anyone you know -whether in the Bible or in our time? Then you can be certain your debts will be settled. If He has made one barren woman to conceive, your own will not be impossible to Him. When David put his life in his hands to face Goliath, he was acting on past experience of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee”. Every victory is a foundation stone for another. Just like God repeats miracles, so also does Satan repeat problems with slight configurations.
If you were confronted with lack of finance for a personal project and you trusted God and He provided, do not be surprised to face another situation of lack in your family or church. The One who gave you the victory at first is still available to repeat that victory in subsequent manifestations of the problem. Being in need of N1000 and later of N5 million, are the same problem at different levels of appearance. God is the Solver of all problems. He will meet all your needs. If you want Him to repeat miracles in your situation, document all past miracles and thank Him regularly for them. Whenever there is a problem you have overcome in the past, remind and thank Him for how He gave you victory over the previous situations. Praise and thank Him excessively, and then ask Him to repeat the miracle in that situation.
ACTIONPOINT: Have a Directory of Family Miracles - detailing God's faithfulness to you and members of your family over the years. State each challenge, steps taken to combat it and God's miracle. Use this to teach your children.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Open Heavens October 17, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exo. 5 - 7
ABOVE COVETOUSNESS
MEMORIZE: "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel" (Acts 20:33 )
READ: 2 Kings 5:21-27
Those who want God to bless them must shift their gaze from material things to God. They must have redefined their relationship with mundane things. Several years ago, when the Mercedes Benz newly came into Nigeria , a man of God came and promised to buy me one. I thought that was an answer to prayer but immediately he left, the Lord told me not to accept it. So I called him to humbly turn down the offer. I told him God said I should not accept it. He said, “Was it the devil who asked me to buy it for you?” Much later, we realized there was a sinister agenda behind his intention. Be careful with your desires. Any desire you fail to put under check may leave you wounded.
A man walked into my office some years ago, and informed me of a conference taking place in America whose main speaker was Morris Cerullo. Although I did not agree with everything this popular preacher had to say, I wanted to hear him and get blessed through his ministry. The man asked if I would like to go and I replied in the affirmative, but the church could not afford to sponsor me then. So he promised to provide me a first class ticket with all expenses paid. As soon as he left, Daddy said, ‘You are not going’. I called the man on phone and said Daddy says I should not go so he went. Not long after his return, there was a scandal at the apex bank where he worked that he had been stealing government money. If I had gone, it would have smeared me and the ministry.
After his healing, Naaman brought money worth several millions of dollars to say ‘Thank you’ to Elisha, but God asked him not to take it and he obeyed. He obeyed, not because he had no need. He had his challenges yet he obeyed because he was dead to material things. If you truly want to be blessed, you must be prepared to say ‘Yes Lord’ to all He commands, whether convenient or not. As a leader, be careful to check from God before accepting any gift. Some gifts are meant for you. Some are meant for others. Some gifts are a trap to shut you up or force you into a compromise. Some gifts are meant to destroy, or introduce and monitor a particular problem in one’s life. This is why newly wedded couples need to prayerfully scrutinize their wedding gifts, and sanctify them with the blood of Jesus before they use them. If you are sensitive in the Holy Spirit, He will lead you regarding gifts. Some pastors never turn down honoraria. If you are in the spirit, you would be guided on what to do with what comes in. Be led by the Spirit.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask that you will not receive or eat what will destroy you. Ask God to take you above covetousness.
ABOVE COVETOUSNESS
MEMORIZE: "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel" (Acts 20:33 )
READ: 2 Kings 5:21-27
Those who want God to bless them must shift their gaze from material things to God. They must have redefined their relationship with mundane things. Several years ago, when the Mercedes Benz newly came into Nigeria , a man of God came and promised to buy me one. I thought that was an answer to prayer but immediately he left, the Lord told me not to accept it. So I called him to humbly turn down the offer. I told him God said I should not accept it. He said, “Was it the devil who asked me to buy it for you?” Much later, we realized there was a sinister agenda behind his intention. Be careful with your desires. Any desire you fail to put under check may leave you wounded.
A man walked into my office some years ago, and informed me of a conference taking place in America whose main speaker was Morris Cerullo. Although I did not agree with everything this popular preacher had to say, I wanted to hear him and get blessed through his ministry. The man asked if I would like to go and I replied in the affirmative, but the church could not afford to sponsor me then. So he promised to provide me a first class ticket with all expenses paid. As soon as he left, Daddy said, ‘You are not going’. I called the man on phone and said Daddy says I should not go so he went. Not long after his return, there was a scandal at the apex bank where he worked that he had been stealing government money. If I had gone, it would have smeared me and the ministry.
After his healing, Naaman brought money worth several millions of dollars to say ‘Thank you’ to Elisha, but God asked him not to take it and he obeyed. He obeyed, not because he had no need. He had his challenges yet he obeyed because he was dead to material things. If you truly want to be blessed, you must be prepared to say ‘Yes Lord’ to all He commands, whether convenient or not. As a leader, be careful to check from God before accepting any gift. Some gifts are meant for you. Some are meant for others. Some gifts are a trap to shut you up or force you into a compromise. Some gifts are meant to destroy, or introduce and monitor a particular problem in one’s life. This is why newly wedded couples need to prayerfully scrutinize their wedding gifts, and sanctify them with the blood of Jesus before they use them. If you are sensitive in the Holy Spirit, He will lead you regarding gifts. Some pastors never turn down honoraria. If you are in the spirit, you would be guided on what to do with what comes in. Be led by the Spirit.
ACTIONPOINT: Ask that you will not receive or eat what will destroy you. Ask God to take you above covetousness.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Open Heavens October 16, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR:
Exo. 1-4 TO THE LAST DROP
MEMORIZE: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16)
READ: Ephesians 2:11-136
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Another benefit of the New Covenant is that it makes abundance available to its beneficiaries. In ways you have suffered lack, God’s abundance will overtake you this season. The above scripture talks about the poverty of Jesus. Most times when we read this, what often comes to mind is financial poverty; whereas, life which is in the blood is far above money. Leviticus 17:11 says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul”. When Jesus was being crucified, He emptied Himself of the life contained in His blood. He became impoverished up to the last drop of blood so that you can receive maximum benefit. Life, abundant supply and every good thing can be yours through this covenant!
The New Covenant also provides for peace. Peace is of varying degrees. The one Jesus offers is the exceptional, uncommon peace which surpasses the understanding or definition of mortals. In John 20:19, 21 and 26, the Lord thrice declared peace on the disciples. God is quite economical regarding the use of words. If you are a Bible student, you would observe that the Words of Jesus were few but weighty. If He had to repeat the words, that was grace. If He mentioned the same thing three times, that was amazing grace. Your peace is guaranteed. The Lord is speaking peace to you this moment. Whatever storm is working contrary to your boat of progress, I speak forth peace. Every war against you will cease this moment. You will enjoy peace in every area of your life in Jesus’ Name. According to today’s reading, the New Covenant makes us heavenly citizens. This brings us closer to God. Romans 8:15-16 says it makes it possible for us to call God not just ‘Father’, but ‘Daddy’. The New Covenant eradicates distance between you and God. If you have entered into this covenant relationship with God, you will share some level of intimacy with Him. How intimate are you with Jesus today?
ACTIONPOINT: Jesus was emptied for you to be full. How full of His Spirit and power are you?
Exo. 1-4 TO THE LAST DROP
MEMORIZE: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16)
READ: Ephesians 2:11-136
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Another benefit of the New Covenant is that it makes abundance available to its beneficiaries. In ways you have suffered lack, God’s abundance will overtake you this season. The above scripture talks about the poverty of Jesus. Most times when we read this, what often comes to mind is financial poverty; whereas, life which is in the blood is far above money. Leviticus 17:11 says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul”. When Jesus was being crucified, He emptied Himself of the life contained in His blood. He became impoverished up to the last drop of blood so that you can receive maximum benefit. Life, abundant supply and every good thing can be yours through this covenant!
The New Covenant also provides for peace. Peace is of varying degrees. The one Jesus offers is the exceptional, uncommon peace which surpasses the understanding or definition of mortals. In John 20:19, 21 and 26, the Lord thrice declared peace on the disciples. God is quite economical regarding the use of words. If you are a Bible student, you would observe that the Words of Jesus were few but weighty. If He had to repeat the words, that was grace. If He mentioned the same thing three times, that was amazing grace. Your peace is guaranteed. The Lord is speaking peace to you this moment. Whatever storm is working contrary to your boat of progress, I speak forth peace. Every war against you will cease this moment. You will enjoy peace in every area of your life in Jesus’ Name. According to today’s reading, the New Covenant makes us heavenly citizens. This brings us closer to God. Romans 8:15-16 says it makes it possible for us to call God not just ‘Father’, but ‘Daddy’. The New Covenant eradicates distance between you and God. If you have entered into this covenant relationship with God, you will share some level of intimacy with Him. How intimate are you with Jesus today?
ACTIONPOINT: Jesus was emptied for you to be full. How full of His Spirit and power are you?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Open Heavens October 15, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Mark 14-16
WAITERS ARE REWARDED
MEMORIZE: "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us" (Psalms 123:2)
READ: Psalms 123:1-4
When the Lord called His disciples apart in Mark 6:30-31, it was so that they can wait on Him. Psalms 123:2 says, “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us”. A servant that cannot wait on his master cannot be relevant in the household of his master. To remain relevant in God’s household, you must cultivate the habit of waiting on the Lord in praise, worship and thanksgiving. Another reason for the call to separation is for the disciples to receive a fresh anointing. After Jesus performed special miracles, He withdrew to refill His anointing container (Acts 2:1-4). If you are running up and down, the anointing cannot increase. When the
Holy Spirit came on the one hundred and twenty in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, they were set apart from the ever busy crowd. They waited on the Lord for 40 days and the Spirit descended. Although God’s mercy can bring you some blessings, the most important blessings of your life will not come by mere wishes: but by waiting in God’s presence. When last did you wait on the Lord? Another thing we observe in the transfiguration story is that Jesus transfigured changed before Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1-9). First, His face then His dress. His face shone as the sun. This gives us an idea of what our heavenly body would be like. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 says our body shall experience a change from mortality to immortality. Our heavenly bodies will radiate God’s glory as if a very powerful light was releasing rays from within us. That was the type of experience Adam and Eve had until they sinned. All the animals saw them radiating God’s glory, hence they were subject to their leadership, just as they were to God’s.
But the day they sinned and the glory disappeared, they became ordinary, hence the animals held a meeting and revolted against man’s dominion. From that time, they decided to rule themselves. It is God’s glory you need to tame the wild animals of this world. Is your life full of God’s glory? According to Romans 3:23, the presence of sin in your life robs you of God’s glory. You cannot be full of sin and full of God’s glory at the same time. The glory did not end with Adam. Moses had that glory to the point that the Israelites could not look at him. Jesus fully reflected that glory. How full is your glory container? The glory is what puts you in charge. You can get that glory container refilled in
God’s presence. Never leave home without a refill!
ACTIONPOINT: There is a reward for you this season: wait on the Lord in fasting, praise and thanksgiving.
WAITERS ARE REWARDED
MEMORIZE: "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us" (Psalms 123:2)
READ: Psalms 123:1-4
When the Lord called His disciples apart in Mark 6:30-31, it was so that they can wait on Him. Psalms 123:2 says, “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us”. A servant that cannot wait on his master cannot be relevant in the household of his master. To remain relevant in God’s household, you must cultivate the habit of waiting on the Lord in praise, worship and thanksgiving. Another reason for the call to separation is for the disciples to receive a fresh anointing. After Jesus performed special miracles, He withdrew to refill His anointing container (Acts 2:1-4). If you are running up and down, the anointing cannot increase. When the
Holy Spirit came on the one hundred and twenty in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, they were set apart from the ever busy crowd. They waited on the Lord for 40 days and the Spirit descended. Although God’s mercy can bring you some blessings, the most important blessings of your life will not come by mere wishes: but by waiting in God’s presence. When last did you wait on the Lord? Another thing we observe in the transfiguration story is that Jesus transfigured changed before Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1-9). First, His face then His dress. His face shone as the sun. This gives us an idea of what our heavenly body would be like. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 says our body shall experience a change from mortality to immortality. Our heavenly bodies will radiate God’s glory as if a very powerful light was releasing rays from within us. That was the type of experience Adam and Eve had until they sinned. All the animals saw them radiating God’s glory, hence they were subject to their leadership, just as they were to God’s.
But the day they sinned and the glory disappeared, they became ordinary, hence the animals held a meeting and revolted against man’s dominion. From that time, they decided to rule themselves. It is God’s glory you need to tame the wild animals of this world. Is your life full of God’s glory? According to Romans 3:23, the presence of sin in your life robs you of God’s glory. You cannot be full of sin and full of God’s glory at the same time. The glory did not end with Adam. Moses had that glory to the point that the Israelites could not look at him. Jesus fully reflected that glory. How full is your glory container? The glory is what puts you in charge. You can get that glory container refilled in
God’s presence. Never leave home without a refill!
ACTIONPOINT: There is a reward for you this season: wait on the Lord in fasting, praise and thanksgiving.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Open Heavens October 14, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 79-81
DEATH NOTICE
MEMORIZE: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand" (2 Timothy 4:6)
READ: 2 Timothy 4:6-8
It is possible to know when you will die or leave this world. This is a special benefit of the favorites of God. Satan does not know when you will die. He can fight to take your life, yet as long as you remain in Christ, you will not die before your time. In Genesis 15:15, God gave Abraham the idea of how long he would live. Jacob also had an inkling of when he would go: so he gathered his children and blessed some, cursed some and left others without a blessing or curse (Genesis 49:1-33). Immediately after addressing them, he died. After living a fulfilled life, Joseph-last but one of 12 brethren, knew his time was up. Having received the double-portion blessing that pertained only to first borns, he became the spiritual head of the family. He gathered his sons and brothers and told them his time was up. He prophesied concerning God’s visitation to the children of Israel and instructed that his bones be removed during the Exodus. Not long afterwards he died (Genesis 50:23-26).
The Lord will notify you ahead of time when your time will be up. This is why you must ensure that you are God’s favorite. Apart from knowing when you will die, you can also know how you will die. When it was time for Elijah to go, the Holy Spirit not only informed him, but also informed the sons of the prophets in the different prophetic schools in Bethel, Jericho and Gilgal, etc. They knew he would not die, but go to Heaven by a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:1). Jesus knew He was about to die by crucifixion and informed the disciples accordingly. In John 21:18-19, the Lord told Peter by what means he would die during old age. According to today’s reading, Paul not only knew the time of his death, but also how he would die. May the Lord notify you of how and when you will go. In any case, why a pre-knowledge of time of death? To prevent being taken unawares. To enable you set your house in order.
For instance, many believers have not written their will and some die without doing this, and plunge their families into serious problems, particularly with regards to property and the interest of the extended family. Seek advice from a lawyer and ensure that you take care of the interest of your wife and children in your will. Knowing when to die, will help you hasten up whatever you are doing for the Kingdom of God. It will prevent you from living in sin, and prepare you for your eternal abode. God will inform you before hand if you work your way into His inner circle. Are you prepared for death or the rapture?
ACTIONPOINT: Ask that your last day on earth will not come on you unawares.Also pray that your final moment should meet you steadfast in Christ.
DEATH NOTICE
MEMORIZE: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand" (2 Timothy 4:6)
READ: 2 Timothy 4:6-8
It is possible to know when you will die or leave this world. This is a special benefit of the favorites of God. Satan does not know when you will die. He can fight to take your life, yet as long as you remain in Christ, you will not die before your time. In Genesis 15:15, God gave Abraham the idea of how long he would live. Jacob also had an inkling of when he would go: so he gathered his children and blessed some, cursed some and left others without a blessing or curse (Genesis 49:1-33). Immediately after addressing them, he died. After living a fulfilled life, Joseph-last but one of 12 brethren, knew his time was up. Having received the double-portion blessing that pertained only to first borns, he became the spiritual head of the family. He gathered his sons and brothers and told them his time was up. He prophesied concerning God’s visitation to the children of Israel and instructed that his bones be removed during the Exodus. Not long afterwards he died (Genesis 50:23-26).
The Lord will notify you ahead of time when your time will be up. This is why you must ensure that you are God’s favorite. Apart from knowing when you will die, you can also know how you will die. When it was time for Elijah to go, the Holy Spirit not only informed him, but also informed the sons of the prophets in the different prophetic schools in Bethel, Jericho and Gilgal, etc. They knew he would not die, but go to Heaven by a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:1). Jesus knew He was about to die by crucifixion and informed the disciples accordingly. In John 21:18-19, the Lord told Peter by what means he would die during old age. According to today’s reading, Paul not only knew the time of his death, but also how he would die. May the Lord notify you of how and when you will go. In any case, why a pre-knowledge of time of death? To prevent being taken unawares. To enable you set your house in order.
For instance, many believers have not written their will and some die without doing this, and plunge their families into serious problems, particularly with regards to property and the interest of the extended family. Seek advice from a lawyer and ensure that you take care of the interest of your wife and children in your will. Knowing when to die, will help you hasten up whatever you are doing for the Kingdom of God. It will prevent you from living in sin, and prepare you for your eternal abode. God will inform you before hand if you work your way into His inner circle. Are you prepared for death or the rapture?
ACTIONPOINT: Ask that your last day on earth will not come on you unawares.Also pray that your final moment should meet you steadfast in Christ.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Open Heavens October 13, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 76-78
THE PASSOVER
MEMORIZE: "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalms 30:5)
READ: Exodus 12:10-12
Another lesson learnt from the Passover recorded in Exodus 12:2-12, is that obedience brings blessings. Obedience does not go alone. It is always accompanied by blessings. Wherever obedience is, blessings reside. God gave several specific instructions to the Israelites regarding the performance of the Passover. They were not to break or ignore any detail or else, they would miss out of the promised protection. Whenever God gives a command or instruction, He expects nothing below total compliance. It does not matter whether it is rational, scientific, foolish or arrant theological rubbish. What matters is simply obey. Obedience is what generates the blessings that go with it. Each time you obey God, whether it appears so or not, some blessings are released to you.
When God was about to bring Israel into a new beginning, He used a Passover meal. The Passover meal became the point of contrast between the past and the future. It represents the difference between when you were in control, and when you allowed God to take control of your life and situation. It is a location-changing experience that moves one from the valley to the mountain top. It is the shift from one extreme to another, from minimum to maximum, bitterness to joy, poverty to prosperity, slavery to liberty, barrenness to fruitfulness, etc. In your life this season, there will be a sharp movement from a negative extreme to a positive one in Jesus’ Name. The Passover is another instrument for destroying the activities of the enemy in your life. In Exodus 12:12, the Lord says, “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD”.
Every idol, shrine, evil altar in the air, land, sea, road junction, or tree, where enemies are scheming against you shall receive divine judgment this period. A new page begins in the story of your life today. Your end shall be great. How often do you attend the Holy Communion? As you attend the next one, ask God to judge your enemies and their gods. An end has come to stagnancy in your life. Keep God’s Word and follow it with all your heart. As you go out today, thank God for the provisions He has made for you through the Holy Communion table.
ACTIONPOINT: Have you cheated on God's anointed? Repent. Go and restitute.
THE PASSOVER
MEMORIZE: "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalms 30:5)
READ: Exodus 12:10-12
Another lesson learnt from the Passover recorded in Exodus 12:2-12, is that obedience brings blessings. Obedience does not go alone. It is always accompanied by blessings. Wherever obedience is, blessings reside. God gave several specific instructions to the Israelites regarding the performance of the Passover. They were not to break or ignore any detail or else, they would miss out of the promised protection. Whenever God gives a command or instruction, He expects nothing below total compliance. It does not matter whether it is rational, scientific, foolish or arrant theological rubbish. What matters is simply obey. Obedience is what generates the blessings that go with it. Each time you obey God, whether it appears so or not, some blessings are released to you.
When God was about to bring Israel into a new beginning, He used a Passover meal. The Passover meal became the point of contrast between the past and the future. It represents the difference between when you were in control, and when you allowed God to take control of your life and situation. It is a location-changing experience that moves one from the valley to the mountain top. It is the shift from one extreme to another, from minimum to maximum, bitterness to joy, poverty to prosperity, slavery to liberty, barrenness to fruitfulness, etc. In your life this season, there will be a sharp movement from a negative extreme to a positive one in Jesus’ Name. The Passover is another instrument for destroying the activities of the enemy in your life. In Exodus 12:12, the Lord says, “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD”.
Every idol, shrine, evil altar in the air, land, sea, road junction, or tree, where enemies are scheming against you shall receive divine judgment this period. A new page begins in the story of your life today. Your end shall be great. How often do you attend the Holy Communion? As you attend the next one, ask God to judge your enemies and their gods. An end has come to stagnancy in your life. Keep God’s Word and follow it with all your heart. As you go out today, thank God for the provisions He has made for you through the Holy Communion table.
ACTIONPOINT: Have you cheated on God's anointed? Repent. Go and restitute.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Open Heavens October 12, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 73-75
RECEPTION FOR BACKSLIDERS
MEMORIZE: "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish" (Matthew 18:14)
READ: Matthew 18:11-14
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). The prodigal son having told himself the truth about his situation, decided that since he had messed up, he would return to his father with a proposal - to be accepted as one of his servants. He came to that resolve because he expected the worst. But while still a long way from home, his father sighted him, ran towards him and gave him a red-carpet reception. For his father to see him from that distance suggests that he had been looking out for the return of his son since his departure. Everyday, he would look as far as his eyes could see, and scrutinize everyone he met to see if it was his son. One lesson here is that like the father of the prodigal son never rested until he found his son, so does God always look out for backsliders. He is calling, begging, and wanting you to return.
He is on the look out for nobody else but you. He wants you to return to His Kingdom. He loves you so much. Have you backslidden? Have you even stopped fellowshipping with the brethren? The Lord wants you back. He is very eager. If only you can take a step of repentance and reconciliation towards Him, He will fully return to you. The other lesson in this story is that while the prodigal son was apprehensive over his father’s attitude towards his return, he got a shocker. Instead of rejection, demotion and denial, he got compassion, forgiveness and restoration.
Have you wandered far from God? Come back to Him today. A positive shocker awaits you. The lost son was given a kingly reception and his return was celebrated. Do you know as you return to the Lord today, you will be given a kingly reception? Heaven will be agog because of your return. Jesus and the angels will celebrate your return. And like the prodigal son, you will be washed and decorated. The Lord is calling you back into His Kingdom today. Do not turn down His call. Every believer however, should work hand in hand with the Lord in bringing back backsliders. Look around for those who have fallen out of grace and lead them to the Lord. Look for the discouraged in your church and encourage them. You should care enough to know the state of your neighbor. As you reconcile the backslidden with the Father and strengthen the hands of the weak, the Lord will cause your joy to be full.
ACTIONPOINT: Look out for five backsliders or weak believers. Visit, encourage, exhort, and pray for them. Also take care of them if necessary.
RECEPTION FOR BACKSLIDERS
MEMORIZE: "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish" (Matthew 18:14)
READ: Matthew 18:11-14
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). The prodigal son having told himself the truth about his situation, decided that since he had messed up, he would return to his father with a proposal - to be accepted as one of his servants. He came to that resolve because he expected the worst. But while still a long way from home, his father sighted him, ran towards him and gave him a red-carpet reception. For his father to see him from that distance suggests that he had been looking out for the return of his son since his departure. Everyday, he would look as far as his eyes could see, and scrutinize everyone he met to see if it was his son. One lesson here is that like the father of the prodigal son never rested until he found his son, so does God always look out for backsliders. He is calling, begging, and wanting you to return.
He is on the look out for nobody else but you. He wants you to return to His Kingdom. He loves you so much. Have you backslidden? Have you even stopped fellowshipping with the brethren? The Lord wants you back. He is very eager. If only you can take a step of repentance and reconciliation towards Him, He will fully return to you. The other lesson in this story is that while the prodigal son was apprehensive over his father’s attitude towards his return, he got a shocker. Instead of rejection, demotion and denial, he got compassion, forgiveness and restoration.
Have you wandered far from God? Come back to Him today. A positive shocker awaits you. The lost son was given a kingly reception and his return was celebrated. Do you know as you return to the Lord today, you will be given a kingly reception? Heaven will be agog because of your return. Jesus and the angels will celebrate your return. And like the prodigal son, you will be washed and decorated. The Lord is calling you back into His Kingdom today. Do not turn down His call. Every believer however, should work hand in hand with the Lord in bringing back backsliders. Look around for those who have fallen out of grace and lead them to the Lord. Look for the discouraged in your church and encourage them. You should care enough to know the state of your neighbor. As you reconcile the backslidden with the Father and strengthen the hands of the weak, the Lord will cause your joy to be full.
ACTIONPOINT: Look out for five backsliders or weak believers. Visit, encourage, exhort, and pray for them. Also take care of them if necessary.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Open Heavens October 11, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 70-72
OUT-NUMBERING THE OPPONENTS
MEMORIZE: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalms 91:1)
READ: Daniel 10:12-14
What does Elisha mean when he said those that be with us are more than the enemies? It means the heavenly forces on our side are more in number than the demons against us. When the devil fell, he took one third of the angels with him (Revelation 12:3-4). This leaves two thirds for us. For every demon that faces you, there are at least two angels defending you. God’s army outnumbers the enemies. Praise God. When a demon withstood an angel sent to bring Daniel an answer to his prayer, another angel was sent and that was the end of the story. The second angel engaged the demon while the first angel brought Daniel his answer.
All your pending answers shall be released to you today. Apart from out-numbering the enemies, the heavenly army fighting for us are more powerful. 2 Kings 19:32-35 says one angel killed 185,000 soldiers in one night. Before you determine and conclude how big your problem is, first think of how big your God is. The size of your God will determine the size of problems He can handle. If your god is a pocket-sized symbol or a special ring, then you have reasons to be afraid when you encounter large problems. Such a problem will swallow up a pocket-sized god. The God that I serve is the Almighty God. He is called the Most High in Psalms 91:1. No matter how high the enemy or storm, it can never be as high as the Most High. No matter the power your opponent wields, it can never be as powerful as the Almighty. Everything responds to my God.
No sickness or terminal illness can defy the command from the Resurrection and the Life. No storm in your life can resist the Prince of Peace and stiller of storms. It therefore follows that if you are on God’s side, victory is assured. The winning side makes the loudest noise. When Elisha told his servant the ones with them are more than the ones against them, he was saying that there was no need to fear because God had already given them the victory. Remember, no matter the level of oppositions you face, your supporters are always more than your opposers, your helpers far outnumber your detractors. You will succeed in life because those who want you to succeed are more than those who fight against your success. Sometimes, like it happened in the battle of Jericho, God may want you to proclaim your victory with joyful shouts. Then He will give you the victory. Shout out loud for the Lord has given you the victory!
ACTIONPOINT: Proclaim your victory over the various contrary situations you may be facing. Thank God for giving you victory over them.
OUT-NUMBERING THE OPPONENTS
MEMORIZE: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalms 91:1)
READ: Daniel 10:12-14
What does Elisha mean when he said those that be with us are more than the enemies? It means the heavenly forces on our side are more in number than the demons against us. When the devil fell, he took one third of the angels with him (Revelation 12:3-4). This leaves two thirds for us. For every demon that faces you, there are at least two angels defending you. God’s army outnumbers the enemies. Praise God. When a demon withstood an angel sent to bring Daniel an answer to his prayer, another angel was sent and that was the end of the story. The second angel engaged the demon while the first angel brought Daniel his answer.
All your pending answers shall be released to you today. Apart from out-numbering the enemies, the heavenly army fighting for us are more powerful. 2 Kings 19:32-35 says one angel killed 185,000 soldiers in one night. Before you determine and conclude how big your problem is, first think of how big your God is. The size of your God will determine the size of problems He can handle. If your god is a pocket-sized symbol or a special ring, then you have reasons to be afraid when you encounter large problems. Such a problem will swallow up a pocket-sized god. The God that I serve is the Almighty God. He is called the Most High in Psalms 91:1. No matter how high the enemy or storm, it can never be as high as the Most High. No matter the power your opponent wields, it can never be as powerful as the Almighty. Everything responds to my God.
No sickness or terminal illness can defy the command from the Resurrection and the Life. No storm in your life can resist the Prince of Peace and stiller of storms. It therefore follows that if you are on God’s side, victory is assured. The winning side makes the loudest noise. When Elisha told his servant the ones with them are more than the ones against them, he was saying that there was no need to fear because God had already given them the victory. Remember, no matter the level of oppositions you face, your supporters are always more than your opposers, your helpers far outnumber your detractors. You will succeed in life because those who want you to succeed are more than those who fight against your success. Sometimes, like it happened in the battle of Jericho, God may want you to proclaim your victory with joyful shouts. Then He will give you the victory. Shout out loud for the Lord has given you the victory!
ACTIONPOINT: Proclaim your victory over the various contrary situations you may be facing. Thank God for giving you victory over them.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Open Heavens October 10, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 67-69
VANITY OF MATERIAL WEALTH
MEMORIZE: "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor. 4:18)
READ: Psalms 49:1-11
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). As far as God is concerned, your blessings are not measured by the volume of material things you have - cars, houses, wealth, etc. The irony of it is that some less privileged believers are envying unbelievers who have this world’s goods, but are spiritually impoverished. They are envying those that should envy them. It is unfortunate! You may not have a car, a decent accommodation or even N100, yet you are blessed and far richer than the worldly rich. If all you can boast of are material things, you are to be pitied. Today’s reading says all your wealth put together cannot redeem one soul. Your earthly goods cannot buy eternal life.
Death is inevitable both for the poor as well as the rich. One day, you will leave everything behind. The poorest person in the universe is not one who lacks the basic comforts of life, but the fellow who has comfort, status, wealth, fame, yet is impoverished towards God. The lives of many believers are full of worldly things, but empty of God. Such people are very poor. Wretchedly poor (Revelation 3:17). “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Some believers focus on what they can see that cannot add value to their spiritual lives - houses, land, cars, money, position, etc. These are only temporary. What you cannot see is eternal. That is where your focus should be. Equip yourself with what money cannot buy. Acquire spiritual blessings. What does God consider as blessings? One of them is anointing. Elisha forsook the things which are seen for the unseen - double portion of the anointing.
The king of Syria sent a whole army to arrest Elisha because of the respect and fear he had for him. That is a blessing. The kingdom of darkness quaked before him. Elisha arrested those who came for his arrest (2 Kings 6:21-23). Kings called him ‘Daddy’. That is a blessing. Samuel got to town and the whole city elders quaked (1 Samuel 16:4). That is a blessing. Peter did not have money, but he had what money could not buy -what brought life into the legs of a lame. That is a blessing. In Luke 9:57-58, Jesus said He had no accommodation, yet in Mark 4:3441 He could control weather. This is a blessing. How many unseen blessings do you have today? Any level of suffering, denial, inconvenience or sacrifice is justifiable if it is directed at acquiring the real thing- the unseen blessing. Pursue these from now.
ACTIONPOINT: Count how many blessings money cannot buy that you have. Thank God for them. And ask for more.
VANITY OF MATERIAL WEALTH
MEMORIZE: "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor. 4:18)
READ: Psalms 49:1-11
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). As far as God is concerned, your blessings are not measured by the volume of material things you have - cars, houses, wealth, etc. The irony of it is that some less privileged believers are envying unbelievers who have this world’s goods, but are spiritually impoverished. They are envying those that should envy them. It is unfortunate! You may not have a car, a decent accommodation or even N100, yet you are blessed and far richer than the worldly rich. If all you can boast of are material things, you are to be pitied. Today’s reading says all your wealth put together cannot redeem one soul. Your earthly goods cannot buy eternal life.
Death is inevitable both for the poor as well as the rich. One day, you will leave everything behind. The poorest person in the universe is not one who lacks the basic comforts of life, but the fellow who has comfort, status, wealth, fame, yet is impoverished towards God. The lives of many believers are full of worldly things, but empty of God. Such people are very poor. Wretchedly poor (Revelation 3:17). “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Some believers focus on what they can see that cannot add value to their spiritual lives - houses, land, cars, money, position, etc. These are only temporary. What you cannot see is eternal. That is where your focus should be. Equip yourself with what money cannot buy. Acquire spiritual blessings. What does God consider as blessings? One of them is anointing. Elisha forsook the things which are seen for the unseen - double portion of the anointing.
The king of Syria sent a whole army to arrest Elisha because of the respect and fear he had for him. That is a blessing. The kingdom of darkness quaked before him. Elisha arrested those who came for his arrest (2 Kings 6:21-23). Kings called him ‘Daddy’. That is a blessing. Samuel got to town and the whole city elders quaked (1 Samuel 16:4). That is a blessing. Peter did not have money, but he had what money could not buy -what brought life into the legs of a lame. That is a blessing. In Luke 9:57-58, Jesus said He had no accommodation, yet in Mark 4:3441 He could control weather. This is a blessing. How many unseen blessings do you have today? Any level of suffering, denial, inconvenience or sacrifice is justifiable if it is directed at acquiring the real thing- the unseen blessing. Pursue these from now.
ACTIONPOINT: Count how many blessings money cannot buy that you have. Thank God for them. And ask for more.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Open Heavens October 9, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 64-66
SUPREME DISINFECTANT
MEMORIZE: "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" (1 Peter 2:24)
READ: Exodus 1 Peter 2:22-25
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Another benefit of the New Covenant is total healing. When Jesus was being beaten by a professional scourger, His body was broken, and blood oozed out from it. That was the price He paid for us to receive divine healing, and maintain divine health. By the grace of God, I have enjoyed divine health for 32 years without an injection, tablet or any other form of medication. If you can trust Him and live in obedience, divine health can also be yours. According to the above verse, although divine health is provided for by the New Covenant, any believer who is yet to die to the flesh, and become alive to righteousness may find it in-accessible. This simply means that the extent to which you can benefit from divine health is dependent on how righteous you live on a daily basis. A compromising believer cannot enjoy the provisions of divine health, no matter how much the fellow stands on healing scriptures! Sin makes void the covenant.
There is tremendous power in the blood of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:11 says it is the means by which believers overcome the devil. The New Covenant also provides for us to overcome the enemy and adverse circumstances. In 1977, we travelled to Ilorin for a Congress. The town was hit by an acute water shortage. The only water available for bathing was found at a dirty stream. A brother fetched me a bucket of water from the stream. It was dirty and stinky. He apologized that he could not find something better; and offered a bottle of izal disinfectant to kill the germs. I appreciated the effort he made to get that water. I was about to pour some izal into the water when God said, “Son don’t mix izal with the water. I want to send you as my ambassador to all nations of the world. As you go from one nation to another, the water you will meet in some of those places, will be worse than this. The blood of Jesus is a better disinfectant. Plead the blood on the water and all the germs will die”. Going by sight, I would never have dared because you needed no microscope to see the germs. Yet by faith I obeyed. It has been over 30 years now since I have repeatedly proved the efficacy of the blood of Jesus as I criss-cross continents. The blood can equally work for you. Have you been making the best use of this super disinfectant?
ACTIONPOINT: Thank God for the blood of Jesus. Apply it on water, food, on your family, business and against the enemy.
SUPREME DISINFECTANT
MEMORIZE: "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" (1 Peter 2:24)
READ: Exodus 1 Peter 2:22-25
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Another benefit of the New Covenant is total healing. When Jesus was being beaten by a professional scourger, His body was broken, and blood oozed out from it. That was the price He paid for us to receive divine healing, and maintain divine health. By the grace of God, I have enjoyed divine health for 32 years without an injection, tablet or any other form of medication. If you can trust Him and live in obedience, divine health can also be yours. According to the above verse, although divine health is provided for by the New Covenant, any believer who is yet to die to the flesh, and become alive to righteousness may find it in-accessible. This simply means that the extent to which you can benefit from divine health is dependent on how righteous you live on a daily basis. A compromising believer cannot enjoy the provisions of divine health, no matter how much the fellow stands on healing scriptures! Sin makes void the covenant.
There is tremendous power in the blood of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:11 says it is the means by which believers overcome the devil. The New Covenant also provides for us to overcome the enemy and adverse circumstances. In 1977, we travelled to Ilorin for a Congress. The town was hit by an acute water shortage. The only water available for bathing was found at a dirty stream. A brother fetched me a bucket of water from the stream. It was dirty and stinky. He apologized that he could not find something better; and offered a bottle of izal disinfectant to kill the germs. I appreciated the effort he made to get that water. I was about to pour some izal into the water when God said, “Son don’t mix izal with the water. I want to send you as my ambassador to all nations of the world. As you go from one nation to another, the water you will meet in some of those places, will be worse than this. The blood of Jesus is a better disinfectant. Plead the blood on the water and all the germs will die”. Going by sight, I would never have dared because you needed no microscope to see the germs. Yet by faith I obeyed. It has been over 30 years now since I have repeatedly proved the efficacy of the blood of Jesus as I criss-cross continents. The blood can equally work for you. Have you been making the best use of this super disinfectant?
ACTIONPOINT: Thank God for the blood of Jesus. Apply it on water, food, on your family, business and against the enemy.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Open Heavens October 8, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 61-63
NOT IN THE NOISE
MEMORIZE: "For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:2)
READ: 1 Kings 9:9-18
In Mark 6:30-31, our Lord Jesus Christ called His disciples apart. He made the call for them to have some rest and some quietness. In addition, He made this call to enable them seek God. Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near”. Seeking God always has a time element attached to it. There is a time to seek and find Him. If you do not seek Him at that appointed time, you may be disappointed. For instance, if you attempt to seek God in the midst of so much noise, distraction and confusion, you may not find Him. The reason some believers cannot find God while seeking Him, is because they are surrounded by internal and external noise. Wandering thoughts, doubts, fear, not focusing on the Lord, etc. are part of the internal noise. The external noisy environment on the other hand comprises every thing capable of distracting concentration on the Lord, such as legitimate secular and ministerial assignments.
Many times, when I sense that God would like to speak to me, I separate myself from noise and crowd. In today’s reading, Elijah left everybody else behind and went into a cave in order to hear from God. Your ability to hear clearly from God is a major determinant of success in life and ministry. If you do not know what to do next, you will embark on a merry-go-round with no destination in mind. When Elijah sought God in the rock-breaking and mountain-tearing wind, He was not there. He sought God in the earthquake, He was nowhere to be found. Elijah afterwards sought God in the fire but God was not there. He eventually found God in a still small voice.
God is not in the noise. This is why you must separate yourself regularly unto God. Come into His presence when there is a calm in your environment. It is one reason night time is a great time to hear God’s voice. Noise and distractions would have reduced. God is very present at night. He wants to visit His children at night because He finds it difficult to access some of them during the day. But when He comes and meets you fast asleep, He will be disappointed. May you never miss God’s visitation. Every believer, particularly ministers need to go on a personal retreat so as to be recharged. You could also embark on a family retreat and have the battery of your family recharged.
ACTIONPOINT: If noise is your constant companion, you will not hear when God is speaking through the still small voice. Create quiet moments for God.
NOT IN THE NOISE
MEMORIZE: "For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:2)
READ: 1 Kings 9:9-18
In Mark 6:30-31, our Lord Jesus Christ called His disciples apart. He made the call for them to have some rest and some quietness. In addition, He made this call to enable them seek God. Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near”. Seeking God always has a time element attached to it. There is a time to seek and find Him. If you do not seek Him at that appointed time, you may be disappointed. For instance, if you attempt to seek God in the midst of so much noise, distraction and confusion, you may not find Him. The reason some believers cannot find God while seeking Him, is because they are surrounded by internal and external noise. Wandering thoughts, doubts, fear, not focusing on the Lord, etc. are part of the internal noise. The external noisy environment on the other hand comprises every thing capable of distracting concentration on the Lord, such as legitimate secular and ministerial assignments.
Many times, when I sense that God would like to speak to me, I separate myself from noise and crowd. In today’s reading, Elijah left everybody else behind and went into a cave in order to hear from God. Your ability to hear clearly from God is a major determinant of success in life and ministry. If you do not know what to do next, you will embark on a merry-go-round with no destination in mind. When Elijah sought God in the rock-breaking and mountain-tearing wind, He was not there. He sought God in the earthquake, He was nowhere to be found. Elijah afterwards sought God in the fire but God was not there. He eventually found God in a still small voice.
God is not in the noise. This is why you must separate yourself regularly unto God. Come into His presence when there is a calm in your environment. It is one reason night time is a great time to hear God’s voice. Noise and distractions would have reduced. God is very present at night. He wants to visit His children at night because He finds it difficult to access some of them during the day. But when He comes and meets you fast asleep, He will be disappointed. May you never miss God’s visitation. Every believer, particularly ministers need to go on a personal retreat so as to be recharged. You could also embark on a family retreat and have the battery of your family recharged.
ACTIONPOINT: If noise is your constant companion, you will not hear when God is speaking through the still small voice. Create quiet moments for God.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Open Heavens October 7, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 58-60
PROXIMITY TO GOALS
MEMORIZE: "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" (Romans 13:11)
READ: Romans 13:10-14
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). Another salient question you must ask is, How close or how far am I from my goals? If you say you are working for God and you have not set periodic goals for yourself, you are only playing a game of self-deception. Without goals, at best you will be active but aimless. When the time to take stock comes, such a fellow would have spent so much time without accomplishing much. Are you a worker? Set goals for yourself. Are you a minister, pastor or church leader? Set goals for yourself. List what you want to achieve for God in your life time. Break this goal into different areas of your life. Have a focus of what you want to achieve for the next 10 or five years. Where do you want to be in level of anointing, Word, humility, Christ likeness, soul winning, giving, etc. Thereafter, state these goals within monthly, quarterly, biannual and yearly periods. Come up with what steps to take to accomplish each of them. Work to conform with this time table and at the end you will reach your goal.
Have you discovered God’s plan and purpose for your life? How close are you to fulfilling it? Years spent as an unbeliever are wasted: Hence you have to maximize the remaining of your days. Some time ago, a sister who was almost 70 years met me and said she would no longer pay her tithe. Surprised, I asked why? She said she regretted wasting her past gratifying the flesh and concluded that henceforth, she would pay 20% instead of 10% as tithe, with the hope of regaining some lost grounds. Some people are miles away from the goals they set some 5, 10 or more years ago. Examine your situation and find out what is hindering you from realizing them. Seek God’s face concerning them and ask Him to help you overcome them. This is the time to run for the Master. There is no resting on your oars until you get to the Beulah land. Pursue Kingdom-based, God-glorifying goals. Dump every selfish ambition and pursuit. God is not interested in any self-centered goal. Make amends today.
ACTIONPOINT: Critically examine why you have not been able to achieve previous goals. List ways you could prevent subsequent delays.
PROXIMITY TO GOALS
MEMORIZE: "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" (Romans 13:11)
READ: Romans 13:10-14
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). Another salient question you must ask is, How close or how far am I from my goals? If you say you are working for God and you have not set periodic goals for yourself, you are only playing a game of self-deception. Without goals, at best you will be active but aimless. When the time to take stock comes, such a fellow would have spent so much time without accomplishing much. Are you a worker? Set goals for yourself. Are you a minister, pastor or church leader? Set goals for yourself. List what you want to achieve for God in your life time. Break this goal into different areas of your life. Have a focus of what you want to achieve for the next 10 or five years. Where do you want to be in level of anointing, Word, humility, Christ likeness, soul winning, giving, etc. Thereafter, state these goals within monthly, quarterly, biannual and yearly periods. Come up with what steps to take to accomplish each of them. Work to conform with this time table and at the end you will reach your goal.
Have you discovered God’s plan and purpose for your life? How close are you to fulfilling it? Years spent as an unbeliever are wasted: Hence you have to maximize the remaining of your days. Some time ago, a sister who was almost 70 years met me and said she would no longer pay her tithe. Surprised, I asked why? She said she regretted wasting her past gratifying the flesh and concluded that henceforth, she would pay 20% instead of 10% as tithe, with the hope of regaining some lost grounds. Some people are miles away from the goals they set some 5, 10 or more years ago. Examine your situation and find out what is hindering you from realizing them. Seek God’s face concerning them and ask Him to help you overcome them. This is the time to run for the Master. There is no resting on your oars until you get to the Beulah land. Pursue Kingdom-based, God-glorifying goals. Dump every selfish ambition and pursuit. God is not interested in any self-centered goal. Make amends today.
ACTIONPOINT: Critically examine why you have not been able to achieve previous goals. List ways you could prevent subsequent delays.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Open Heavens October 6, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Gen 47-50
POTTER'S HOUSE
MEMORIZE: "O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel" (Jeremiah 18:6)
READ: Jeremiah 18:1-6
A look at today’s reading shows the possibilities of the Chief Architect in the lives of men. Jeremiah visited a skilled potter in his days. He observed that as the potter was moulding a pot, something went wrong. What he intended was not what he got; to achieve his original design, the potter destroyed what he made and started all over. Then the Lord asked, “O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel” (Jeremiah 18:6). From this we learn that it is never too late where God is involved. Has something gone wrong with your life, family, ministry, career or academics? The Chief Architect can start all over again.
As long as you yield to the hands of the Potter of potters, whatever has gone wrong can be corrected. The Lord will bring out a great story from that unpleasant situation. Usually, when a potter is at work, some things could happen. The clay can suddenly go out of form or shape. Some foreign objects could mix with the clay. Such objects could eventually lead to cracks in the vessel being formed. When there is such a mix up, the potter would break the vessel, mix the clay with water, place it on the potter’s wheel, and commence the moulding process again, in order to achieve the original object. This is good news for believers. Even if you have erred or made some slips, if only you can repent, return and completely yield to God, He can break you, put you back on His wheel and refashion His original plan for your life! But in some cases when you keep struggling with His Spirit, He may have a choice other than to settle for something far below His original plan for your life! The work of a potter appears quite slow.
The process of starting again may even be nerve breaking for some people, yet if you must achieve your ultimate divine destiny, be prepared to wait as long as it takes God to make something glorious out of you. If you are too much in a hurry, you will miss God’s purpose for your life. Many of us are too fast for God. God is too slow for our liking. The truth is God, not us, dictates the pace of the race. If other people are entering their breakthrough and financial prosperity and you are still expecting, never give up. Wait for your time. It is not how far but how well. Some have raced very far but have accomplished nothing for the Lord. Your new beginning may appear slow, never mind. The end will be glorious. Visit the Potter’s House today!
ACTIONPOINT: Father, You are the Potter, I am the clay, mould me after your eternal will and pleasure
POTTER'S HOUSE
MEMORIZE: "O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel" (Jeremiah 18:6)
READ: Jeremiah 18:1-6
A look at today’s reading shows the possibilities of the Chief Architect in the lives of men. Jeremiah visited a skilled potter in his days. He observed that as the potter was moulding a pot, something went wrong. What he intended was not what he got; to achieve his original design, the potter destroyed what he made and started all over. Then the Lord asked, “O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel” (Jeremiah 18:6). From this we learn that it is never too late where God is involved. Has something gone wrong with your life, family, ministry, career or academics? The Chief Architect can start all over again.
As long as you yield to the hands of the Potter of potters, whatever has gone wrong can be corrected. The Lord will bring out a great story from that unpleasant situation. Usually, when a potter is at work, some things could happen. The clay can suddenly go out of form or shape. Some foreign objects could mix with the clay. Such objects could eventually lead to cracks in the vessel being formed. When there is such a mix up, the potter would break the vessel, mix the clay with water, place it on the potter’s wheel, and commence the moulding process again, in order to achieve the original object. This is good news for believers. Even if you have erred or made some slips, if only you can repent, return and completely yield to God, He can break you, put you back on His wheel and refashion His original plan for your life! But in some cases when you keep struggling with His Spirit, He may have a choice other than to settle for something far below His original plan for your life! The work of a potter appears quite slow.
The process of starting again may even be nerve breaking for some people, yet if you must achieve your ultimate divine destiny, be prepared to wait as long as it takes God to make something glorious out of you. If you are too much in a hurry, you will miss God’s purpose for your life. Many of us are too fast for God. God is too slow for our liking. The truth is God, not us, dictates the pace of the race. If other people are entering their breakthrough and financial prosperity and you are still expecting, never give up. Wait for your time. It is not how far but how well. Some have raced very far but have accomplished nothing for the Lord. Your new beginning may appear slow, never mind. The end will be glorious. Visit the Potter’s House today!
ACTIONPOINT: Father, You are the Potter, I am the clay, mould me after your eternal will and pleasure
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Open Heavens October 5, 2009
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Gen 43-46
TIME BOUND DECISIONS
MEMORIZE: "While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation" (Hebrews 3:15)
READ: Hebrews 3:7-15
In Luke 15:17-20, after the prodigal son compared his past with his present estate, he resolved to return to his father. Being a servant under his father, was far better than being a servant in his present circumstance. From this we learn that being a servant in God’s Kingdom is by far preferable to being a lord in the kingdom of darkness. The poorest in God’s Kingdom is richer than the wealthiest in the kingdom of Satan. It is better to enter Heaven a poor fellow, than enter hell with all your wealth. No matter how bad or challenging circumstances may be to a believer in Christ, it is still far better than the best Satan can ever offer his devotees! Never be deceived into believing otherwise.
The prodigal son realized his wrong and decided to retrace his steps homewards. And it was so. The lesson here is that there is a time element attached to any decision. Hence, Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, ‘To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven’. In-decision or delayed decision can be a dangerous thing. It is better to take a decision and make a mistake, than refusing to make a decision for fear of making a mistake. Many believers come to a point of decision concerning a crucial aspect of their lives, yet two months, five months or even one year has passed without taking a step. Procrastination is a deep pit that those who delay in taking a necessary step could fall in. Regret is usually common to such people. The prodigal son realized that he needed to return to his father: he got up and went. If you have realized becoming a born again Christian is a better option, don’t delay.
Our reading says such a delay is the same thing as hardening your heart. The truth is that most Kingdom-based decisions cannot wait. Once the Lord has given you a direction, He expects you to follow it immediately. If you have a pending restitution, immediately settle it. If someone has offended you, immediately forgive because the Lord returns like a thief in the night. If God has shown you the need to become fire brand, immediately dump the cloak of Luke warmness, or else you will become history. What are the pending issues in your life that adequately to them. Are you saying you will serve God at a later date? Supposing you die before then? You are not getting any younger!
ACTIONPOINT: List pending issues. Write three possible steps that could be taken for each of them. Prayerfully take the decisions.
TIME BOUND DECISIONS
MEMORIZE: "While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation" (Hebrews 3:15)
READ: Hebrews 3:7-15
In Luke 15:17-20, after the prodigal son compared his past with his present estate, he resolved to return to his father. Being a servant under his father, was far better than being a servant in his present circumstance. From this we learn that being a servant in God’s Kingdom is by far preferable to being a lord in the kingdom of darkness. The poorest in God’s Kingdom is richer than the wealthiest in the kingdom of Satan. It is better to enter Heaven a poor fellow, than enter hell with all your wealth. No matter how bad or challenging circumstances may be to a believer in Christ, it is still far better than the best Satan can ever offer his devotees! Never be deceived into believing otherwise.
The prodigal son realized his wrong and decided to retrace his steps homewards. And it was so. The lesson here is that there is a time element attached to any decision. Hence, Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, ‘To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven’. In-decision or delayed decision can be a dangerous thing. It is better to take a decision and make a mistake, than refusing to make a decision for fear of making a mistake. Many believers come to a point of decision concerning a crucial aspect of their lives, yet two months, five months or even one year has passed without taking a step. Procrastination is a deep pit that those who delay in taking a necessary step could fall in. Regret is usually common to such people. The prodigal son realized that he needed to return to his father: he got up and went. If you have realized becoming a born again Christian is a better option, don’t delay.
Our reading says such a delay is the same thing as hardening your heart. The truth is that most Kingdom-based decisions cannot wait. Once the Lord has given you a direction, He expects you to follow it immediately. If you have a pending restitution, immediately settle it. If someone has offended you, immediately forgive because the Lord returns like a thief in the night. If God has shown you the need to become fire brand, immediately dump the cloak of Luke warmness, or else you will become history. What are the pending issues in your life that adequately to them. Are you saying you will serve God at a later date? Supposing you die before then? You are not getting any younger!
ACTIONPOINT: List pending issues. Write three possible steps that could be taken for each of them. Prayerfully take the decisions.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Open Heavens October 4, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Gen 37-39
BLESSEDNESS OF MEEKNESS
MEMORIZE: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5)
READ: Matthew 5:1-12
A number of people are called blessed according to today’s reading. They include the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers and the persecuted. A look at this list reveals that what many consider unfortunate, are indeed marks of heavenly blessings. May you be among the blessed ones from today. What is a blessing? It is an invitation to supernatural forces to assist, support or back up a particular individual or group. Who are those that are blessed? Contrary to popular opinion, the meek are blessed. If you have power to fight, harm or destroy, but refrain from using that power, you are meek. The meek is one who prefers God to defend him than defend himself even when he has the means of self defense. The meek is one fellow who gives up his rights, and allows himself to be defrauded. In the eyes of the world, a meek person is a weakling and a fool but in God’s sight, he is blessed. Do you have information or secrets you could use in destroying or bringing down somebody not favorably disposed to you? That is power. Deliberate refusal to use that power is meekness.
God is the defender of the meek. God is also the avenger of the meek. God would like to avenge many of His children: but before He takes up their case, they would have already gone to court, or become their own advocate. You cannot employ physical means to fight for yourself, and expect God to fight for you. The meek is blessed because he is manifesting one of God’s virtues which compels Him into the situation at stake. The meek is blessed because he is wise. It is wisdom not to violate God’s Word, take laws into your hands and fight or avenge your enemies. Human -enemy consciousness is one vice that is fast destroying the spirit of meekness in the midst of believers today. Some people have worsened their plight in an attempt to avenge themselves. Some have even attracted death in the process. If you take up arms against your offender, you can be held responsible if anything happens to the fellow. But if you are meek, God takes over the fight and nothing can be traced to you. Believers who refuse to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit are suffering from spiritual short-sightedness. Are you meek? Are you not trying to get back at your pastor, spouse, colleague or neighbor? Repent. Ask God to help you cultivate this fruit of the spirit. You can become one of the blessed ones from today.
ACTIONPOINT: Your help in the custody of the earth may never be delivered to you until you produce your certificate of meekness.
BLESSEDNESS OF MEEKNESS
MEMORIZE: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5)
READ: Matthew 5:1-12
A number of people are called blessed according to today’s reading. They include the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers and the persecuted. A look at this list reveals that what many consider unfortunate, are indeed marks of heavenly blessings. May you be among the blessed ones from today. What is a blessing? It is an invitation to supernatural forces to assist, support or back up a particular individual or group. Who are those that are blessed? Contrary to popular opinion, the meek are blessed. If you have power to fight, harm or destroy, but refrain from using that power, you are meek. The meek is one who prefers God to defend him than defend himself even when he has the means of self defense. The meek is one fellow who gives up his rights, and allows himself to be defrauded. In the eyes of the world, a meek person is a weakling and a fool but in God’s sight, he is blessed. Do you have information or secrets you could use in destroying or bringing down somebody not favorably disposed to you? That is power. Deliberate refusal to use that power is meekness.
God is the defender of the meek. God is also the avenger of the meek. God would like to avenge many of His children: but before He takes up their case, they would have already gone to court, or become their own advocate. You cannot employ physical means to fight for yourself, and expect God to fight for you. The meek is blessed because he is manifesting one of God’s virtues which compels Him into the situation at stake. The meek is blessed because he is wise. It is wisdom not to violate God’s Word, take laws into your hands and fight or avenge your enemies. Human -enemy consciousness is one vice that is fast destroying the spirit of meekness in the midst of believers today. Some people have worsened their plight in an attempt to avenge themselves. Some have even attracted death in the process. If you take up arms against your offender, you can be held responsible if anything happens to the fellow. But if you are meek, God takes over the fight and nothing can be traced to you. Believers who refuse to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit are suffering from spiritual short-sightedness. Are you meek? Are you not trying to get back at your pastor, spouse, colleague or neighbor? Repent. Ask God to help you cultivate this fruit of the spirit. You can become one of the blessed ones from today.
ACTIONPOINT: Your help in the custody of the earth may never be delivered to you until you produce your certificate of meekness.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Open Heavens October 3, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Gen 37-39
BLESSEDNESS OF MEEKNESS
MEMORIZE: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5)
READ: Matthew 5:1-12
A number of people are called blessed according to today’s reading. They include the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers and the persecuted. A look at this list reveals that what many consider unfortunate, are indeed marks of heavenly blessings. May you be among the blessed ones from today. What is a blessing? It is an invitation to supernatural forces to assist, support or back up a particular individual or group. Who are those that are blessed? Contrary to popular opinion, the meek are blessed. If you have power to fight, harm or destroy, but refrain from using that power, you are meek. The meek is one who prefers God to defend him than defend himself even when he has the means of self defense. The meek is one fellow who gives up his rights, and allows himself to be defrauded. In the eyes of the world, a meek person is a weakling and a fool but in God’s sight, he is blessed. Do you have information or secrets you could use in destroying or bringing down somebody not favorably disposed to you? That is power. Deliberate refusal to use that power is meekness.
God is the defender of the meek. God is also the avenger of the meek. God would like to avenge many of His children: but before He takes up their case, they would have already gone to court, or become their own advocate. You cannot employ physical means to fight for yourself, and expect God to fight for you. The meek is blessed because he is manifesting one of God’s virtues which compels Him into the situation at stake. The meek is blessed because he is wise. It is wisdom not to violate God’s Word, take laws into your hands and fight or avenge your enemies. Human -enemy consciousness is one vice that is fast destroying the spirit of meekness in the midst of believers today. Some people have worsened their plight in an attempt to avenge themselves. Some have even attracted death in the process. If you take up arms against your offender, you can be held responsible if anything happens to the fellow. But if you are meek, God takes over the fight and nothing can be traced to you. Believers who refuse to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit are suffering from spiritual short-sightedness. Are you meek? Are you not trying to get back at your pastor, spouse, colleague or neighbor? Repent. Ask God to help you cultivate this fruit of the spirit. You can become one of the blessed ones from today.
ACTIONPOINT: Your help in the custody of the earth may never be delivered to you until you produce your certificate of meekness
BLESSEDNESS OF MEEKNESS
MEMORIZE: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5)
READ: Matthew 5:1-12
A number of people are called blessed according to today’s reading. They include the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers and the persecuted. A look at this list reveals that what many consider unfortunate, are indeed marks of heavenly blessings. May you be among the blessed ones from today. What is a blessing? It is an invitation to supernatural forces to assist, support or back up a particular individual or group. Who are those that are blessed? Contrary to popular opinion, the meek are blessed. If you have power to fight, harm or destroy, but refrain from using that power, you are meek. The meek is one who prefers God to defend him than defend himself even when he has the means of self defense. The meek is one fellow who gives up his rights, and allows himself to be defrauded. In the eyes of the world, a meek person is a weakling and a fool but in God’s sight, he is blessed. Do you have information or secrets you could use in destroying or bringing down somebody not favorably disposed to you? That is power. Deliberate refusal to use that power is meekness.
God is the defender of the meek. God is also the avenger of the meek. God would like to avenge many of His children: but before He takes up their case, they would have already gone to court, or become their own advocate. You cannot employ physical means to fight for yourself, and expect God to fight for you. The meek is blessed because he is manifesting one of God’s virtues which compels Him into the situation at stake. The meek is blessed because he is wise. It is wisdom not to violate God’s Word, take laws into your hands and fight or avenge your enemies. Human -enemy consciousness is one vice that is fast destroying the spirit of meekness in the midst of believers today. Some people have worsened their plight in an attempt to avenge themselves. Some have even attracted death in the process. If you take up arms against your offender, you can be held responsible if anything happens to the fellow. But if you are meek, God takes over the fight and nothing can be traced to you. Believers who refuse to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit are suffering from spiritual short-sightedness. Are you meek? Are you not trying to get back at your pastor, spouse, colleague or neighbor? Repent. Ask God to help you cultivate this fruit of the spirit. You can become one of the blessed ones from today.
ACTIONPOINT: Your help in the custody of the earth may never be delivered to you until you produce your certificate of meekness
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Open Heavens October 2, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Gen 33-36
THE BETTER COVENANT
MEMORIZE: "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6)
READ: Hebrews 8:6-13
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:6). The covenant between God and Abraham was in favor of the Israelites alone. The Gentiles could not benefit from it, hence our Lord Jesus Christ introduced another covenant which is all-embracing. This new covenant is a far better one. It is not limited to any geographical divide. It is non-racial and is open to all, irrespective of age, status, or gender. Through the New Testament, Jews and Gentile nations are reconciled to God. By reason of the blood He shed, anyone can gain entry into the commonwealth of Kingdom citizens. This better covenant affords everyone under its cover better promises and benefits.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). One cardinal benefit of the New Covenant is forgiveness of sins. If you come under this new covenant by the blood of Jesus Christ, all your sins will be forgiven. It is so difficult to obtain forgiveness in today’s world, but this is available in Christ. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. If God were to pay us with death for every sin committed, imagine the number of death sentences that would have hung over our heads!
Sometime ago, I read a news item in the dailies, of a man who committed so many crimes that he was sentenced to 70 life imprisonments. The implication of his sentence was that after serving the first until death, he would be expected to arise from the dead to serve the second. Until he did so 70 times! After reading that news story, I realized that many of us were guilty of thousands of death sentences for thousands of sins committed. But the New Covenant erases all our judgements, and makes us stand blameless before the Throne of God. Anyone who does not come under the covenant of the blood of Jesus, can never have his or her sins forgiven. As long as you walk in the light of this covenant, your sins can be cleansed. But if you wilfully violate the covenant or take it for granted, it ceases to cleanse your sins. Appreciate the Lord for being a beneficiary of the blood of Jesus.
ACTIONPOINT: Forgiveness is what billions of religious people are working hard to get through different measures but cannot obtain. Yet the born again child of God gets it instantly through the blood of Jesus
THE BETTER COVENANT
MEMORIZE: "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6)
READ: Hebrews 8:6-13
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:6). The covenant between God and Abraham was in favor of the Israelites alone. The Gentiles could not benefit from it, hence our Lord Jesus Christ introduced another covenant which is all-embracing. This new covenant is a far better one. It is not limited to any geographical divide. It is non-racial and is open to all, irrespective of age, status, or gender. Through the New Testament, Jews and Gentile nations are reconciled to God. By reason of the blood He shed, anyone can gain entry into the commonwealth of Kingdom citizens. This better covenant affords everyone under its cover better promises and benefits.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). One cardinal benefit of the New Covenant is forgiveness of sins. If you come under this new covenant by the blood of Jesus Christ, all your sins will be forgiven. It is so difficult to obtain forgiveness in today’s world, but this is available in Christ. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. If God were to pay us with death for every sin committed, imagine the number of death sentences that would have hung over our heads!
Sometime ago, I read a news item in the dailies, of a man who committed so many crimes that he was sentenced to 70 life imprisonments. The implication of his sentence was that after serving the first until death, he would be expected to arise from the dead to serve the second. Until he did so 70 times! After reading that news story, I realized that many of us were guilty of thousands of death sentences for thousands of sins committed. But the New Covenant erases all our judgements, and makes us stand blameless before the Throne of God. Anyone who does not come under the covenant of the blood of Jesus, can never have his or her sins forgiven. As long as you walk in the light of this covenant, your sins can be cleansed. But if you wilfully violate the covenant or take it for granted, it ceases to cleanse your sins. Appreciate the Lord for being a beneficiary of the blood of Jesus.
ACTIONPOINT: Forgiveness is what billions of religious people are working hard to get through different measures but cannot obtain. Yet the born again child of God gets it instantly through the blood of Jesus
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Open Heavens October 1, 2008
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Gen 30-32
QUIETNESS OR QUIETLESS?
MEMORIZE: "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you"(1 Thess. 4:11)
READ: 1 Thess. 4:10-12
“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat” (Mark 6:31). In Mark 6:30-31, the Lord called His disciples from their busy ministry work to a separated place for some reasons; First, it was so that they could rest. At the time of creation, God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. Rest has always been a part of God’s plan for man. After a period of hardwork, you need rest to enable your body regain lost energy. If you work hard but never rest, you abuse your body. If this continues for long, it could lead to breakdown of your body system. Breakdown is an evidence of poor body management.
It could be costly to recover from a breakdown. It is better to take a rest as and when due. Some people can have a sudden health challenge they may never recover from due to paying deaf ears to their body’s call for rest. Do you sometimes take time to rest? If you suddenly drop dead for lack of rest, you will have a case to answer in Heaven. If you over-stretch the body and abuse it continuously, it will expire before its original expiry date, and you will have no other body to complete God’s assignment on earth! Another reason for this call to rest, is so that you can have some quietness. Isaiah 30:15 says, “For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not”. Whenever you are busy going from place to place or performing secular or ministerial assignments, you are expending physical and spiritual energy.
That means your energy level is being dissipated. But when you set yourself apart and refrain from such activities, you would gather energy. There is strength in quietness. The strength you need to be victorious during busy hours, is obtained in the time of quietness in God’s presence. Noise is good -particularly a joyful noise. However, some believers have become too used to noise that they find it difficult to spend one, two or more hours in silence before God. God cannot get the attention of some of His children because they are too noisy, talkative and too full of activities for His liking. It is a fool that talks without restraints. Do you know you will most likely give a better answer to questions if only you take time to ponder it over? This is why 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says one course you must enroll for is quietness. The Christian life requires good doses of quietness (1 Timothy 2:2). How much of this do you have?
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God for a meek and quiet spirit.
QUIETNESS OR QUIETLESS?
MEMORIZE: "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you"(1 Thess. 4:11)
READ: 1 Thess. 4:10-12
“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat” (Mark 6:31). In Mark 6:30-31, the Lord called His disciples from their busy ministry work to a separated place for some reasons; First, it was so that they could rest. At the time of creation, God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. Rest has always been a part of God’s plan for man. After a period of hardwork, you need rest to enable your body regain lost energy. If you work hard but never rest, you abuse your body. If this continues for long, it could lead to breakdown of your body system. Breakdown is an evidence of poor body management.
It could be costly to recover from a breakdown. It is better to take a rest as and when due. Some people can have a sudden health challenge they may never recover from due to paying deaf ears to their body’s call for rest. Do you sometimes take time to rest? If you suddenly drop dead for lack of rest, you will have a case to answer in Heaven. If you over-stretch the body and abuse it continuously, it will expire before its original expiry date, and you will have no other body to complete God’s assignment on earth! Another reason for this call to rest, is so that you can have some quietness. Isaiah 30:15 says, “For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not”. Whenever you are busy going from place to place or performing secular or ministerial assignments, you are expending physical and spiritual energy.
That means your energy level is being dissipated. But when you set yourself apart and refrain from such activities, you would gather energy. There is strength in quietness. The strength you need to be victorious during busy hours, is obtained in the time of quietness in God’s presence. Noise is good -particularly a joyful noise. However, some believers have become too used to noise that they find it difficult to spend one, two or more hours in silence before God. God cannot get the attention of some of His children because they are too noisy, talkative and too full of activities for His liking. It is a fool that talks without restraints. Do you know you will most likely give a better answer to questions if only you take time to ponder it over? This is why 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says one course you must enroll for is quietness. The Christian life requires good doses of quietness (1 Timothy 2:2). How much of this do you have?
ACTIONPOINT: Ask God for a meek and quiet spirit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)