Open Heavens Daily Devotional Messages, By Pastor E.A Adeboye.

BEARING FALSE WITNESS I – Sunday December 13th 2015
LOVE IS SOMETIMES TESTED – Saturday December 12th 2015
DIVINE VISITATION – Friday December 11th 2015
YE ARE MY WITNESSES – Thursday December 10th 2015
TRUNCATING YOUR CHILD’S DESTINY? – Wednesday December 9th 2015
BE MERCIFUL – Tuesday December 8th 2015

BEARING FALSE WITNESS I – Sunday December 13th 2015

Posted: 06 Dec 2015 09:01 AM PST

BEARING FALSE WITNESS I – Sunday December 13^th 2015

Memorise: Thou shalt not bear false wihness against thy neighbour. Exodus 20:16

Read: Deuteronomy 19:15-21, ¹⁵One witness shall not rise up against a man for any

iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

¹⁶If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;

¹⁷Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

¹⁸And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;

¹⁹Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

²⁰And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.

²¹And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Bible in one year: Psalm 119:1-112, James 2:14-3:12

"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?"

Isaiah 58:6

This Scripture summarises the fundamental nature of restitution. Restitution is the undoing of an evil deed. Bearing false witness against a person, family, community, institution, state or nation is an evil deed that can have devastating effects. If you have been involved in this, you need to restitute your ways.

Some time ago, a man died under some mysterious circumstances in a polygamous setting. Driven by hatred for the deceased's first son, the deceased's younger brother compelled the deceased's daughter to falsely accuse her step-brother (the first son) of killing their father, before a magistrate court. She yielded to this evil uncle because he had threatened her, saying that if she did not tell the lie, the whole family would desert her. In spite of this evil frame-up, the accused was discharged. However, his uncle did not let the matter rest; he had his nephew arrested again. Following this, the matter was escalated to the high court. Again, the step-sister of the accused was among the witnesses called against him. In fact, she was the prime witness of the prosecution.

Shortly before the commencement of proceedings in the case, those connected to the case were asked to step outside. The lady went out, and her uncle met her to rehearse the lies she should say before the judge. Thereafter, her step-brother, who was her age mate and a born-again Christian, also came outside the courtroom, and they got talking. He used this opportunity to lead her to Christ. After she had accepted to receive Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour, and as he was about to lead her through the sinner's prayer, the judge sent for her to return to the courtroom and give her sworn testimony. However, contrary to the plans made with her uncle, she told the truth that the accused was innocent to the death of his father, because she was under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. That is restitution. Although she faced a lot of persecution from those who wanted her to sustain the lie, she stood firm and straightened her crooked path. Do you know that a lot of innocent people are languishing in prison because a false witness testified against them? if you have testified falsely against anybody in the past, you need to undo that wrong. If it is a sensitive matter, seek God's face by praying and fasting, and see your pastor for counselling and guidance on the best way to go about it.

Action Point

Pray that God will cause confusion in the camp of those planning evil against God's people.

LOVE IS SOMETIMES TESTED – Saturday December 12th 2015

Posted: 06 Dec 2015 08:59 AM PST

LOVE IS SOMETIMES TESTED

Memorise: No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:18

Read: Genesis 22:1-3, 22 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

²And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

³And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

Bible in one year: Psalm 111:118, James 1:19-2:13

The presence of love can be perceived when it is demonstrated through giving. Love does not only give, it gives its best. It also gives sacrificially and willingly. God did not give His only begotten Son to the world because He was forced to; He gave Him because He wanted to (John 3:16). When He came into this world, the Son followed the example of the Father. In John 15:13, He said:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Even after the Son accepted to become a man, nobody compelled Him to die. He voluntarily laid down His life. He willingly did this as proof of His love for God and man (John 10:17-18).

If you go through the Scriptures, you will definitely come across passages where God demanded that those who professed love for Him should prove it. One of such cases can be found in today's Bible reading. The word "tempt" used in Genesis 22:1 is actually "test" in the original Hebrew text. God does not tempt people, but Satan does (James 1:13). However, God can test His children to evaluate the quality of love they have for Him. Although it is on record that Abraham was a friend of God, God still wanted to know if the would give Him his best sacrificially and willingly. God therefore asked Abraham ton sacrifice his only son to Him. Abraham did not argue; he immediately set out on a journey to perform God's request. God took him on a three-day journey to the mountain where the sacrifice would be carried out, to find out if he would change his mind along the way. To show his willingness to give without obstruction, Abraham did not tell his wife or Isaac about the sacrifice God demanded from him. If he had done so, Sarah would have stopped him from fulfilling what God wanted. It is also possible that if Isaac had known about God's request ahead of time, he would have run away. Today, when God demands something sacrificial from some people as proof of their love for Him, what He gets is excuses. Such people would tell their spouses about God's demand, fully aware that they would vehemently resist it. They do this because they never wanted to give what God was asking for in the first place. Thereafter, they would tell God that although they were willing to obey His instruction, they had to back out because their spouse's disagreement with it could negatively affect their home. What an excuse! Do you think that God does not see into your heart to know what actually led to your refusal of His request other than what you claim?

Action Point

Ask God for grace never to fail the tests He puts you through.

DIVINE VISITATION – Friday December 11th 2015

Posted: 06 Dec 2015 08:57 AM PST

DIVINE VISITATION

Memorise: Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and

thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. Joshua 10:12

Read: Luke 1:26-33, ²⁶And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

²⁷To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

²⁸And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

²⁹And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

³⁰And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

³²He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

³³And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Bible in one year: Psalm 107-110, James 1:1-18

A visit to a person can be classified as causal, ordinary, occasional, special or divine, depending on the identity of the visitor and purpose of the visit. One reason why visitation is desired is the fact that it usually involves the exchange of pleasantries, good ideas, vital information and gifts. Visitation brings joy to those in need, especially the fatherless and widows. The sick and bereaved are also encouraged and strengthened through it. People generally desire a special visitation by someone of a far higher social, political or financial status, because such august visitors are known to bless people with quality ideas, information and gifts commensurate to their status. Presidents give presidential pardons, handshakes and gifts, while kings and royals offer royal appointments, gifts and blessings. Beyond these, divine visitation is an unusually privilege that God doles out to show special love, uncommon grace and high favour. I prophesy to you that heaven will pay you a divine visit today in the Name of Jesus.

Divine visitation is greatly rewarding and therefore highly sought after. Whenever God steps into a situation, natural laws become suspended, and supernatural laws take over immediately. This is evident in our memory verse. Israel was in the middle of a battle with the Amorites when Joshua suddenly recognised the presence of God. The Lord of hosts himself decided to pay the armies of Israel a visit. Knowing that such a divine visitation had launched him into the realm of the supernatural, Joshua immediately grabbed the opportunity by asking for the impossible. Like Joshua, the presence of the Lord will launch you into the realm of the supernatural today in Jesus' Name. Divine visitation brings immediate fulfilment of long standing prophecies, as it happened to Sarah (Genesis 21:1). Job testified that in his affliction, with his body terribly battered, it was divine visitation that preserved his spirit (Job 10:12). Also, in Zephaniah 2:7, the Bible reveals that the visitation of the Lord turns away captivity. Every time the manifest presence and glory of God is with His people, they ushered into the realm of the supernatural. In this atmosphere of miracles, all challenges and problems turn to testimonies. This is your season of divine visitation! Praise God and tap into it.

Prayer Point

Father, please grant me the privilege of a divine visitation today, in Jesus' Name.

YE ARE MY WITNESSES – Thursday December 10th 2015

Posted: 06 Dec 2015 08:56 AM PST

YE ARE MY WITNESSES

Memorise: Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall

there be after me. Isaiah 43:10

Read: 1^stKings 18:36-39, ³⁶And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

³⁷Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

³⁸Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

³⁹And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.

Bible in one year: Psalm 105-106, Hebrews 13

A witness is an observer, who having witnessed the occurrence of an event, gives a full and accurate account of what happened. God emphasises the role and importance of witnessing. He has also given detailed instructions about the conduct of witnesses, whether in evangelism, legal processing or in general affairs of the church. In several passages of the Bible, God repeatedly called on us to be His witnesses (Isaiah 43:12^b, Luke 24:48). Mostly importantly, Jesus in Acts 1:8 said this to His disciples:

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

This confirms that one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to equip and empower the Body of Christ for the purpose of witnessing. Therefore, witnessing is a major assignment of the Church. The role of Christians as witnesses is not limited to our immediate community; rather it extends to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Why is witnessing so important that God lays so much emphasis on it? First and foremost, it is to prove Him as the only true God who created all things by His wisdom and determines the course of all things (Acts 17:24-28). Whenever God says "ye are My witnesses", it is to prove Him as a covenant keeping God who always brings His words to pass in the life of His people (Numbers 23:19). The emphasis on witnessing is also to prove that human disobedience is always as a result of unbelief and unwarranted stubborn rebellion. So, we are to constantly testify or witness about sin and righteousness to ourselves as believers, and against the ungodly people of this world (Isaiah 59:12, Mathew 24:14).

Finally, the emphasis on witnessing may also indicate a systematic build-up of evidence against those who refuse to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Jude 1:15 reveals that heaven will present convincing evidence against the ungodly on the day of judgement. Be warned, Jesus is coming soon!

Prayer Point

Father, I surrender all to You today, please wipe away all evil reports that testify against me, and help me to live holy from this day onward in Jesus name.

TRUNCATING YOUR CHILD’S DESTINY? – Wednesday December 9th 2015

Posted: 06 Dec 2015 08:53 AM PST

TRUNCATING YOUR CHILD'S DESTINY?

Memorise: For, Io, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

Read: Judges 13:2-5, ²And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.

³And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

⁴Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

⁵For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

Bible in one year: Psalm 100-104, Hebrews 12:3-29

Because God is a God of purpose, He never does anything without a purpose. When He speaks, He has a purpose of what He says. When He laughs, there is also a purpose (Psalm 37:13). When He created you, it was for a purpose. May you fulfil God's purpose for creating you in Jesus' Name. Do you know that God's plan and purpose for your life had been concluded long before He laid the foundations of the earth (Ephesians 1:3-5)? However, for you to fulfil this purpose, you need to understand it, and you need do everything to ensure it is not derailed. Our Bible reading shows how crucial it is to understand purpose. When an angel was sent ton announce to Manoah's wife that she would conceive and give birth to Samson, it was for a specific purpose: the child was to be set apart unto God has a Nazarite. One lesson here is that even when God has a specific purpose for a person, it is the responsibility of parents not to derail this purpose, right from the point of conception, until God's plan is fulfilled. For example, if Samson's mother had insisted on taking alcoholic drinks or eating anything classified as unclean after she had been warned by the angel, she would have derailed God's purpose for Samson.

The plan of God for Samson was that the Holy Spirit would start working on him right from when he was in his mother's womb; but if his mother had consumed alcohol, two spirits would have been at war in her: the Holy Spirit and the spirit of alcohol (an demonic spirit). Because the Holy Spirit would not work where the spirit of alcohol holds sway, Samson would never have become what God planned for him to be. This simply tells us that the physical and spiritual state of parents, particularly mothers, is of great importance, right from the conception of a child. The actions of a mother affect the foetus in her womb and can alter the destiny of a child. The actions of a pregnant woman who smokes cigarettes or marijuana, often takes alcohol or hard drugs such as cocaine and so on will definitely affect the baby in her womb. Sometimes, the physical structure of that baby is tempered with, leading to abnormal foetal development or deformities. Such children could even develop mental health issues and find it difficult to live normal lives. Worse still, if a child ends up being aborted, the destiny of that child is completely destroyed. Beloved mothers, abstain from anything that can cause harm to your unborn child! Do not be guilty of truncating your child's destiny!

Action Point

You will give account of all the children who came into this world through you. Be careful

BE MERCIFUL – Tuesday December 8th 2015

Posted: 06 Dec 2015 08:49 AM PST

BE MERCIFUL – Tuesday December 8^th 2015

Memorise: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12

Read: Matthew 18:27-35,

²⁷Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

²⁸But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

²⁹And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

³⁰And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

³¹So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

³²Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

³³Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

³⁴And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

³⁵So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Bible in one year: Psalm 92-99, Hebrews 11:23-12:2

Mercy is an attitude of compassion, favour and care towards the unfortunate, afflicted and helpless. Mercy is an unmerited assistance that originates from the divine attributes of God, and it is grounded in His very nature. Mercy is a special prerogative of the Almighty God Himself, and therefore may not be properly defined in isolation of His person. Psalm 86:15 described Him thus:

"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth."

Little wonder why in the Bible, acts of mercy are usually borne out of love, compassion, favour or grace. Several times, God's mercy is also described as enduring forever (1^st Chronicles 16:34).

It is important to note that from the beginning, God has always applied mercy while handling human affairs. It was mercy that moved Him to make aprons of Adam and Eve after their sin caused His glory to depart from them (Genesis 3:21). Because of His mercy, He preserved Noah and His family (Genesis 7). The same mercy located Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David and the prophets. However, mercy was personified and more pronounced in the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. In all His interactions with people, the Bible recorded that He was always moved by love and compassion when ever He saw their afflictions and misery. Matthew 9:36 says:

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

In essence, we are who we are in Christ because of God's mercy (Titus 3:5). Forgiveness, salvation, healing, deliverance, joy and everything we have in Christ are by the grace and mercy of God. So, as beneficiaries of His great mercy, we are commanded to show the same mercy to others. Luke 6:36 says:

"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."

God expects that His merciful dealings in our lives will move us to show mercy to others. Our Bible reading today paints a vivid picture of God's expectation of us as Christians, in relation to the issue of mercy. The master was displeased with the wicked servant because he refused to show mercy to his fellow servant. Above all, remember that obedience to the word of God is always handsomely rewarded; therefore, be merciful.

Prayer Point

Sweet Holy Spirit, fill my heart with God's mercy, and let it flow from me to my neighbours.

THE WAY INTO HIS PRESENCE – Monday December 7th 2015
UNDEFEATABLE? – Sunday December 6th 2015
THE NATURE OF LOVE – Saturday December 5th 2015
MEAL OF REMEMBRANCE – Friday December 4th 2015
THE HOLY GOD – Thursday December 3rd 2015
THE GOD OF PURPOSE – Wednesday December 2nd 2015
OVERCOMING BY PRAYER – Tuesday December 1st 2015
KNOWING HIM IS LIFE – Monday November 30th 2015

THE WAY INTO HIS PRESENCE – Monday December 7th 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 11:04 AM PST

THE WAY INTO HIS PRESENCE

Memorise: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me. John 14:6

Read: John 14:1-6, 14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

²In 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.

³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

⁴And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

⁵Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

⁶Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Bible in one year: Psalm 88-91, Hebrews 11:4-22

MESSAGE!

The Lord Jesus is the way out of every unpleasant situation that anyone can ever experience. He is the way out of sorrow, sickness, death and embarrassment. He is Heaven's approved lifeline to those who are sinking. In any negative situation you find yourself, Jesus Christ will make a way out for you this season.

Moreover, besides being the way out, Jesus is also the way in. He is the way into the presence of God. No wonder He told Thomas in John 14:6 that:

"…. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

One place you should long to be often is the presence of God. Every time you access God's presence, something good comes your way. The more you enter into God's presence, the more He causes His will in Heaven to prevail over your situation or circumstance on earth. As you enter His presence and stay there, a part of His glory rubs off on you; covering your shame and bringing you joy and laughter. God's presence is the place where you can find all the joy you need. In fact, your joy is made full in His presence (Psalm 16:11). These are just some of the many reasons why you should ensure you access God's presence daily.

To go into the presence of earthly kings and presidents is not an easy thing. By the grace of God, I have had the opportunity of visiting a few heads of states and presidents of nations. The first time I visited the head of a particular African nation, it was a very instructive experience. I had to go through multiple security checks. At the point of entry, there was security check. At the general reception, there was another security check. At the special reception, another check. Getting to the presidential reception, I underwent the final screening before accessing the presence of this head of state. After going through all these checks, I concluded that it was much easier getting into God's presence. Thank God that all I have to do to get into the presence of God is to say "In the Name of Jesus". How often do you enter into God's presence with boldness by the Blood of Jesus? We are encouraged to do so in Hebrews 4:16:

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Action Point

The Blood of Jesus has made it easy to access God's presence; be thankful and give Him glory for it.

UNDEFEATABLE? – Sunday December 6th 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 11:02 AM PST

UNDEFEATABLE? – Sunday December 6^th 2015

Memorise: What should we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against

us? Romans 8:31

Read: 1^st Samuel 17:45-49, ⁴⁵Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

⁴⁶This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

⁴⁷And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.

⁴⁸And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

⁴⁹And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

Bible in one year: Psalm 81-87, Hebrews 10:19-11:3

MESSAGE!

To be defeated is to be overcome by a physical, spiritual or circumstantial enemy. It could also mean failure to succeed or win in a war, contest, game or temptation. Defeat is usually accompanied with regret, sorrow, pain, shame and even death. It could also result in the loss of freedom, position, title, money and power. When Adam and Eve were defeated by Satan in the Garden of Eden, they lost their lives spiritually, lost their relationship with God, and their exalted position was gone. Out of deep regret and shame, they tried to hide themselves from the presence of the Almighty (Genesis 3:8). Defeat is such a terrible experience that it can cause the defeated to conclude that death is better than life. When Samson, the champion of Israel, was defeated, he lost everything including his confidence and will to survive; so much so that he opted to die (Judges 16:30). In defeat, Ahithophel, the great counsellor, committed suicide (2^ndSamuel 17:23). I pray that you will never suffer defeat again in Jesus' Name.

Meanwhile, defeat can be avoided by trusting in the Lord (Isaiah 26:3) and wearing the spiritual armour prescribed in the word of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). The story of Daniel and Goliath is a good example of what a Christian can do to become un-defeatable (1^st Samuel 17). David took a casual walk into the camp of the Israelites to deliver some bread and cheese to his brothers and the captain of their unit. He was not a trained warrior, neither was he in anyway prepared for the battle ahead. He only happened to hear the boastings of Goliath and was challenged by his offensive statements against the Lord. David's state of mind as he approached the battle is revealed in 1^stSamuel 17:47:

"And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands."

David defeated Goliath by trusting in the Lord and by relying on the power of His word. In 1^stSamuel 17:45b, David declared:

…..I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied."

In essence, David was saying: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Are you living a victorious life or wallowing in defeat? Do you want to remain undefeated? Give your life to Jesus now, trust in the Lord with all your heart and be assured that as long as God is on your side, no one can be against you.

Prayer Point

Father, please don't let me ever suffer any kind of defeat again, in Jesus' Name.

THE NATURE OF LOVE – Saturday December 5th 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:56 AM PST

THE NATURE OF LOVE

Memorise: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him

not. 1^stJohn 3:1

Read: John 3:16-17, ¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Bible in one year: Psalm 78-80, Hebrews 9:23-10:18

MESSAGE!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

This scripture is often used in reaching out to sinners with the aim of winning them to the Saviour. It is a very well-known Scripture, loaded with lessons, not just for reaching out to the lost, but also for these who have believed in Jesus Christ. From it, we learn that love gives. To demonstrate His love for the world, God had to give something. Giving is a means of expressing love. No matter how much you profess love, it may never be taken seriously until you give something. Also, we see that love gives its best. It is possible to give to a beggar without loving him. If you really love someone, it will be expressed through the quality of gift you give the person. If we were to examine our claim of love for God by the gifts we give to Him, it would be difficult to believe our claim. Some people love God with their lips but not with their pockets. Some love God with their tongues but not with their hearts. The love some people profess to have towards God does not affect their substances, time or talent. How sincere is their love for God?

In addition, we learn from John 3:16 that love is sacrificial. God offered Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for the world (Ephesians 5:2). God had billions of angels but only one begotten Son. To redeem man from the slave market of sin, He could have chosen to offer on of His angles and not feel the pain of sacrifice, but He chose to offer His only begotten Son. That was most sacrificial! Giving the only thing you have is a huge sacrifice. Throughout eternity past, there had been no separation between God the Father and God the Son, not even for a second. But because of His love for us, while Jesus was bearing the sins of the whole world, God the Father had to take off His eyes from His Son (Mark 15:34). What a sacrifice! Do you love God? How sacrificial is that love? Can you afford to give your only car, house or even life to God for the love that you have for Him? When God considers your relationship with Him, will He see the true mark of love in it?

Key Point

True love is measured by its sacrificial nature.

MEAL OF REMEMBRANCE – Friday December 4th 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:55 AM PST

MEAL OF REMEMBRANCE

Memorise: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 1^st Corinthians 11:24

Read: 1^stCorinthians 11:23-25, ²³For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

²⁴And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

²⁵After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

Bible in one year: Psalm 73-77, Hebrews 9:1-22

MESSAGE!

The Holy Communion is a very significant meal. Unlike regular meals, it is a meal of remembrance. When some people take this meal, they forget to heed the instruction in today's Bible reading, where the Lord repeatedly said "…this do in remembrance of Me". In other words, the meal reminds us of God's power of transformation. As you take the meal, God is saying to you:

"Remember who you were before, and what I have made you now; remember how you were dead in sin and trespasses, but the Holy Spirit has now quickened your spirit man. You were dumped and disowned before I received you and sealed you with the Holy Spirit. Remember how you thought you could buy salvation by being religious and buying things for your church before the Holy Spirit illuminated your mind and showed you the true way of salvation."

The meal of remembrance simply calls you to remember your past life and compare it with what God is doing in you presently.

When I consider just a few things from my past life, and compare them with what I see today, I cannot but be full of appreciation and gratitude to God, thanking Him for all He has done. Sometimes, while in the car, as I express gratitude to God, my driver would have to look back, wondering what is going on. Looking at my past, nobody would believe that I could become what I am today. After news about me reached the ears of my mathematics professor, he travelled all the way from Onitsha (South-East Nigeria) to the Redemption Camp, just to confirm if the Adeboye he was hearing about was that same little boy whom he taught mathematics. The first time he came, I was not in, but my wife was; so he met my wife and asked her if I was the one, and she confirmed it. He later visited again, and this time around he met me. As we discussed, in astonishment, he kept on saying, "Adeboye! Adeboye", and I replied "Sir. In all you do, don't forget who you were before the Holy Spirit took you up. As you take the Holy Communion, remember where you are coming from and where the Lord has taken you so far. See His goodness in your life and just thank and praise Him.

Action Point

Reflect over what your life was before you met Jesus and what it is today; thank God for all He has done for you.

THE HOLY GOD – Thursday December 3rd 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:53 AM PST

THE HOLY GOD

Memorise: But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3

Read: Exodus 15:9-11, ⁹The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

¹⁰Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

¹¹Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Bible in one year: Psalm 69-72, Hebrews 8

MESSAGE!

Holiness is an intrinsic part of God's nature; it is His very essence. Everything about Him is wrapped up in holiness. His love, mercy, power, justice, glory and all of His character reflect His holiness. Every action of God is designed to perpetuate His holiness. When He exhibits love, it is borne out of His holiness. If He is angry, it is because of His holiness. When He judges sin, it is out of His holiness. In His dealings with all His creatures, whether in Heaven, on earth or beneath the earth, one theme rings out: holiness. No wonder the seraphs in His presence keep repeating "Holy Holy, Holy". Isaiah 6:3 says this about them:

"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."

Similarly, Apostle John reports of the four beasts in Heaven who

Prayer Point

Father, let Your nature of holiness flow seamlessly through me every second from today.

THE GOD OF PURPOSE – Wednesday December 2nd 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:51 AM PST

THE GOD OF PURPOSE

Memorise: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Ephesians 1:11

Read: Ephesians 1:9-12, ⁹Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

¹²That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Bible in one year: Psalm 64-68, Hebrews 7:11-28

MESSAGE!

Our God is a meticulous God. He does not do anything without first planning for it. His plans are sometimes mapped out thousands or millions of years before they are executed. We need to learn from this character of God and apply its principles in our life. Before God created man, He knew that the first Adam would fall into sin, and so He began to make preparation for the second Adam. In the same vein, before you were created, God knew all the details about you. Because He knew your strengths and weaknesses, He prepared the appropriate help you would need to succeed, even before your were born. If you can draw close to God, He will share a bit of His knowledge with you. Do most events take you by surprise, or do they occur as a fulfilment of what God had already shown you? Also, at what point do you plan for events and activities that you know would happen? For example, at what point do you plan for your children: is it long before they are born, just before they are born or after their birth?

Not only does our God plan, He also has a purpose behind everything He does. That is why Ephesians 1:11 says:

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:"

We are products of His divine purpose. Believe it or not, everything and everyone created by God has a purpose (Revelation 4:11, Jeremiah 1:4-5). God has a general plan into which His specific plan for your life fits. You were created unique, and you are one of a kind. There can never be another you among all the billions of people on earth. The exact details of your life are in God's hands. Although God has a specific plan for everyone He created, it is unfortunate that only a negligible few ever get to know and fulfil that plan. Do you know why you are here? Do you know why God made you? Have you keyed into the purpose of God for your life? Are you where God wants you to be and doing what He wants you to do? You need to know that when God is working in you and through you, it is to accomplish His purpose and not yours, even though He grants you your own desires sometimes. Have you keyed into His plan for your life?

Prayer Point

Father, I submit to your plan and purpose for my life. Help me to recognise them, and keep me from straying from them.

OVERCOMING BY PRAYER – Tuesday December 1st 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:49 AM PST

OVERCOMING BY PRAYER

Memorise: And when he was at the place, he said unto them, pray that ye enter not into temptation. Luke 22:40

Read: Luke 22:39-41, ³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

⁴⁰And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

⁴¹And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

Bible in one year: Psalm 57-63, Hebrews 6:13-7:10

MESSAGE!

The moment you gave your life to Jesus Christ, a battle line was drawn between you and the kingdom of darkness. Unhappy that he has lost you to God's kingdom, Satan's main goal is to secure your return to his kingdom. One major tool he tries to use in accomplishing this mission is temptation. The devil and his agents will bring temptations your way to make you to do things that would break your relationship with God. This is where prayer comes in. prayer is one veritable tool that prevents you from falling into Satan's traps. This is why Jesus urged His disciples at the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Luke 22:40 says:

"And when he was at the place, he said unto them, pray that ye enter not into temptation."

When you pray, the strength to overcome temptations is released to you. A Christian who fails to pray will sooner or later become a victim of the tempter. The extent to which you will overcome temptations is determined by how robust your prayer life is. If you have been raising and falling so often, check your prayer life and the way you study God's word. If you can improve on both, you will experience more stability in your faith.

One of the modus operandi of Satan is to show you dazzling sights that could tempt you to follow him. In other words, he presents an object of temptation in a bright and attractive way; repainting an evil thing in brilliant and attractive colours. For instance, a prostitute is labelled a commercial sex worker, in order to support the excuse that he or she is simply trying to earn a living, whereas the essence of prostitution is fornication and adultery. In tempting people, the devil and his agents make sin look attractive and inviting, almost with an air of irresistibility. Prayer deadens these illusions by painting sin in its real colours. Every time you pray over an object of temptation, it becomes less inviting and less attractive. As you pray, the desire to sin is brought under subjection. Through prayer, we obtain grace to walk in the reality of the truth that our flesh has been crucified (Galatians 5:24). Prayer strengthens our spirit man and keeps the flesh where it belongs: crucified and dead on the cross of Calvary (Romans 6:6). It connects your spirit with the Holy Spirit and separates you from the devil, by moving your focus towards Heaven and away from the allure of the world. How prayerful are you? No believer in Christ can triumph without using the weapon of prayer.

Prayer Point

Father, please give me the grace to pray like Jesus prayed while on earth.

KNOWING HIM IS LIFE – Monday November 30th 2015

Posted: 27 Nov 2015 10:47 AM PST

KNOWING HIM IS LIFE

Memorise: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving-kindness, judgement, and rightousness, in the

earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:24

Read: Jeremiah 9:23-24, ²³Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

²⁴But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

Bible in one year; Psalm 51-56, Hebrews 5:11-6:12

MESSAGE!

Life is not what many people think it is. It is not about financial or material abundance; neither is it about physical endowments. Life is definitely not about power, achievements or worldly wisdom. What then is life? Jesus answers this question in John 17:3:

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

True life is knowing God and Jesus Christ. In today's Bible reading, God instructs us not to boast of our wisdom, might or riches. He said if we want to boast, we should boast in what we know about Him. When you engage in such boasting, the essence is not to flaunt your knowledge like some people do today; rather, it is to rejoice in the fact that God has revealed Himself to you to that extent. Why should you take pleasure in knowing God? Why should knowing God be something you should be proud of? It is because knowing God can do certain powerful things in your life and in the lives of others around you.

"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." Daniel 11:32

By the revelation of God given to Daniel, we are made to understand that knowing God produces strength and exploits. What kinds of exploits are being referred to here? When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, and you daily increase in the knowledge of the Holy Trinity, you will not only have eternal life, but the life of God will also be channelled through you to others. For instance, you will lay your hands on the blind, and as the divine life flows through you to such a fellow, he will begin to see. When you pray for the barren, the divine life will cause her to conceive. This is life! When your life begins to bring joy to the lives of many others, that is life. The life of God flowing through you will make you the light of the world, causing those in darkness to see. The divine life will also make you the salt of the earth, giving good taste to a tasteless world. This life of God is not predicated upon the material world but on the relationship you have with the Lord. How is your spiritual life? Have you gauged your spiritual life lately?

Prayer Point

Father, reveal Yourself to me, and help me to respond to You the way You expect me to.

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