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

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


DELIVERANCE THROUGH PRAYER – Monday February 8th 2016

Posted: 04 Feb 2016 12:18 PM PST

 DELIVERANCE THROUGH PRAYER 
Memorise: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
Read: Acts 12:1-8, 12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

Bible in one year: Mark 5:21-6:56, Job 18:5-19
MESSAGE!!!
If children of God would take time to study the Word of God and pay great attention to His person, ways, attributes and commandments, the world would be a much better place. Prayers will be answered quickly and Christians will revel in the glory and favour of God. We will partially know the reason(s) behind God's actions and what to do at any time to move His hands in our favour. By the grace of God, anyone that is conversant with the History and development of the Redeemed Christian Church of God will agree, without any doubt that God has constantly revealed His mind to us in the place of prayer. May His name be praised forevermore in Jesus' name.
A careful study of the story of Hezekiah in Isaiah 36-38 reveals two important factors that lead to God's deliverance through prayer. The first is recorded in Isaiah 37:20, where Hezekiah asks God to deliver Israel for His own sake and not theirs:
"Save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord"
Isaiah 37:20
God responded by saving them for His glory. There is no greater and stronger foundation for our salvation than this. It is by His grace and it is accessible to all human beings without any qualification. It is open to the poor as well as the rich; it is open to men and women of all ages, race and background. Not because we deserve it, but to show that God is a merciful God who delights in showering blessings on His children.
The second factor is found in the same story. Hezekiah first prayed for Jerusalem's existence that was being threatened and God graciously answered and saved Jerusalem, again he prayed for mercy and elongation of his own life and God answered too. In both cases, God's deliverance came in direct response to a humble and desperate prayer. God will always respond to the desperate requests of His children because Jesus is our sinless high priest who makes it possible for us to approach the throne of grace with confidence.
The New Testament reveals a similar pattern in the book of Acts 12:1-8;
"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."
Acts 12:5
The Lord answered the prayer of the Church with the miraculous deliverance of Peter. Here again, God answers the desperate prayer of His people for the glory of His Name. I therefore decree, as you make your request known to God this day, He will answer you by fire with signs following in Jesus' Name.     
Prayer Point
Father, please don't let me ever suffer any kind of defeat in Jesus' name.





COMMISSIONED BY THE HOLY GHOST – Sunday February 7th 2016

Posted: 04 Feb 2016 12:16 PM PST

COMMISSIONED BY THE HOLY GHOST 
Memorise: As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said,
separated me, Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Acts 13:2
Read: Acts 13:1-4, 13 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Bible in one year: Mark 3:13-5:20, Job 17:6-18:4
MESSAGE!!!
Fasting is a biblical practice whose interpretation in the Old Testament was slightly different from what it was in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, in addition to being a means of prayer and supplication, fasting is also synonymous with mourning, shame and lamentation. The practice typically took place when a crisis or other significant event became more important than eating. However, the New Testament presents fasting purely as a means of prayer and supplication of mourning, shame or lamentation. As a matter of fact, Jesus taught us to fast without giving neighbours any clues, which means we should look clean and happy as always while fasting.
"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."
Matthew 6:16-18
The above passage forms the basis and model for fasting in the New Testament Church. Fasting is therefore a means of seeking the face of the Lord for divine intervention in human affairs. It is such a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare that Jesus His disciples that some level of miracles may not be possible without adding fasting to our prayers. That is probably the reason why the apostles of Jesus Christ took fasting and prayer seriously after the physical departure of our Lord Jesus Christ. Right from Chapter one of the book of Acts, fasting began to feature in the activities of the disciples, and each time, God responded with great miracles, signs and wonders.

Fasting was especially used by the apostles whenever they wanted God to commission them or needed special instruction or direction. Obviously, the apostles of old and the church at Antioch spent quality time in worship, fasting and prayer, earnestly seeking the Lord's will as they opened themselves to divine direction. Their effort was honoured by God through the power of the Holy Ghost as they received answers to their request by physical manifestation of the power of God in their midst. The apostles would not have been able to do much without the commissioning power of the Spirit of God.
Prayer Point
Sweet Holy Spirit, please don't let me do anything without your

direction and commission in the name of Jesus.

REVIVIAL BY THE WORD OF GOD II – Saturday February 6th 2016

Posted: 04 Feb 2016 12:15 PM PST

 REVIVIAL BY THE WORD OF GOD II 
Memorise: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2nd Timothy 4:2
Read: 2nd Timothy 4:1-2, I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Bible in one year: Mark 1:1-3:12, Job 16:18-17:5
MESSAGE!!!
Revival by the Word comes through total obedience to the Word of God. It is for this reason that the Scripture admonishes us to preach the Word, which is to propagate the Gospel and spread the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be instant in preaching the Word because we do not have the luxury of time or planning for a convenient period. We must be prepared to preach the gospel always without regards as to whether it is convenient or not. Romans 10:17 says:
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Romans 10:17
Faith comes only by listening to the Word of God. The conscience of men and women become activated through the hearing of the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the hearing of the Word of God, the corrupt and sinful mind of an individual beings to do a self analysis internally. A decision is then reached by the help of the Holy Spirit, personal conviction takes place in the mind and sorrow for sin and repentance follows immediately. All these would not be possible without the act of preaching the word. To this end Romans 10:14 says;
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
Romans 10:14
The big question here is how shall they hear without a preacher? Our appointed duty is only to preach the Word, the Holy Spirit Himself will take over there. It is important to note that God is not only asking us to preach the Gospel, He is concerned about preaching the right content and applying the right manner in our preaching the right content and applying the right manner in our preaching. We are specifically expected to reprove and rebuke the evils in the life of the people by the Word of God. This is where many in the body of Christ today are falling short of the glory and expectations of God. Sound doctrine and healthy teachings are accurately documented in the Scriptures must be preached always without fear.
We must always bear in mind that our principal assignment is not only to populate the people of God for heaven through correct and unbiased presentation of the truth in the Word of God. By this the people will be exposed to the truth that sets free from sin and all unrighteousness. It is this freedom from sin that leads to peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, followed by the release of abundant blessings from above. As you make up your mind to live in obedience to the Word of God and take every opportunity to share the Gospel with at least one person daily, the glory of the Lord will become manifest in your life in Jesus' name.
Prayer Point

Father, please empower me to preach your undiluted Word always in Jesus' name.

REVIVAL BY THE WORLD OF GOD I- Friday February 5th 2016

Posted: 04 Feb 2016 12:14 PM PST

REVIVAL BY THE WORLD OF GOD I
Memorise: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of  the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Read: Nehemiah 8:1-10, And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped theLord with their faces to the ground.
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Bible in one year: Matthew 26:68-28:20, Job 16:1-17
MESSAGE!!!
To have a full understanding of the term "revival by the Word of God", we need to carefully consider the various interpretations of the Word of God in the view of the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, the Word of God implied both a word about God and a word from God. In effect, the word of God refers to what God says, and at the same time describes God, His essence and attributes. The New Testament on the other hand, presents the Word of God as a person, the second person of the Trinity. Jesus Christ our Lord, who was with the Father from the beginning of creation. The New Testament presents the Word of God as follows:
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the prominence."
Colossians 1:16-18
The special ability of the Word of God to revive is based principally on the fact that He is the source of all things in heaven and earth. Since all things were created by Him, the power to revive is embedded in His creative power. God spoke all things into being by the power of His Word. Since the power to create is greater than the power of His Word. Since the power to create is greater than the power to repair, it is well within the power of the Word to repair and revive a corrupted creature at will.
To this end the Bible says the Word of God is living and active, He has the power to quicken and animate anything He chooses. The Word is able to examine and judge those who hear Him; He does not fail, but always accomplishes the set purpose. The Word of God is in fact a weapon of warfare that is able to penetrate and deal with material objects such as joints and marrow, and even the immaterial word such as the soul and spirit.
The passage further confirms that there is no hiding place for any creature before the Word as all things are made bare and completely exposed before Him. Furthermore, the thought and intents of the heart of men are correctly discerned and decoded by the Word of God.
Dearly beloved, I admonish you to stop playing games with God. Ask God for forgiveness, renewal, revival and re-dedication today. He will answer your prayers beyond your wildest dreams. He will revive you by the power of His Word and give you a new beginning of joy, peace, and prosperity. You will also reign with Him in heaven in Jesus' name.  
Prayer Point

Father, please revive me by the power in your Word in the mighty Name of Jesus. 

REMEMBER NOW (teens)– Monday 8th February 2016

Posted: 04 Feb 2016 12:12 PM PST

 REMEMBER NOW (teens)
Memorise: You who are happy, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give
you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement. Ecclesiastes 11:9
Please Read: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, 12 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 35:1-37:10; Acts 22:12-29
MESSAGE!!!
A call to remember usually comes with a warning and should be done urgently. Ecclesiastes 12:1 has 'now' next to 'remember' which means, there should be no dilly – dally but done straightaway. Abigail in 1st Samuel 25:18 knew this and saved her family and herself from being destroyed by quickly taking action. David quickly killed Goliath in 1st Samuel 17:48-51. Absalom also ran away from Jerusalem to save his life in 2nd Samuel 15:14. If things are not done at the right time, that opportunity may be gone forever. I pray that you will recover every lost opportunity in Jesus Name.

Time goes so quickly especially when you are young and active. Don't waste it. Now is the time for salvation, repentance and living a life to please God. Now is the time to share the gospel, live a life free from sin, sickness, poverty and failure. Now is the time to enjoy overflowing peace, joy, success, abundant blessings and the anointing of the Most-High God. Don't waste it, be connected to God.
Prayer Point

Father, please destroy the power of procrastination in my life. And let my time for overflowing blessing come now in the name of Jesus.

THE HERITAGE OF THE LORD (teens) – Sunday 7th February 2016

Posted: 04 Feb 2016 12:11 PM PST

THE HERITAGE OF THE LORD (teens) 
Memorise: Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3
Please Read: Psalm 127:3-5, Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 33:34; Acts 21:37-22:11
MESSAGE!!!
'Heritage' could be: a special property, inheritance or unique historical monument kept from past generations or a very valuable asset. In the Bible, God commanded Israel to keep a record of historical events, agreements with God, laws and documents. This is their history, very valuable and is their heritage. It is being protected carefully. Anyone that has a relationship with God such as born again Christians and nation of Israel are also God's heritage.

This is an important privilege and honour for us. We should all be grateful for this. We are very important to God – a valuable asset to him. This is why you should be careful how you live, have a relationship with God and do all you can to please Him. That is how you can show your appreciation for making you his heritage. Christian parents know that their children are precious gifts from God. That is why they do all they can to train, nurture and equip them properly. Children are the future of the family and the church.
Action Point

Father, please help me to successfully accept the training I am given and please let your light shine so bright in the life of young people in this generation.

YOUR HORN SHALL BE EXALTED (teens) – Saturday 6th February 2016

Posted: 04 Feb 2016 12:10 PM PST

YOUR HORN SHALL BE EXALTED (teens) 
Memorise: Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
Please Read: 1st Samuel 2:1-2, And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 31:31-32:44; Acts 21:17-36
MESSAGE!!!
'Horn' in the Bible is used for three things. 1) To describe a growth on the head of animals. 2) A musical instrument. 3) A container for anointing oil. It is also a symbol of power, help, victory or glory. To lift up the horn shows you are winning but a broken horn shows you have lost. This is why Hannah could say her 'horn is exalted in the Lord'

Psalm 75:6-7 "No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another." The Bible has examples of people that have enjoyed this such as: Abraham, Joseph, Hannah, Moses, Joshua, David and Solomon.

The same God that did this is still alive today; He doesn't change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Today, He will visit you with His love, mercy and favour.
Action Point
Learn humility. Humility leads to exaltation.


UNPRECEDENTED EVENT (teens) – Friday 5th February 2016

Posted: 04 Feb 2016 12:09 PM PST

UNPRECEDENTED EVENT (teens)
Memorise: He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet, be still" Then
the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39
Please Read: Genesis 21:5-7, And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 30:1-31:30; Acts 20:36-21:16
MESSAGE!!!
An unprecedented event is something that has never happened before. E.g. Noah and the flood (Genesis 7), rescuing the Israelites from the Red Sea (Exodus 14), the sun standing still over Gibeon and the moon staying in the valley of Ajalon (Joshua 10:12-13), the virgin birth of Jesus, raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11) and the resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:9-10). These events are miraculous.

In the Bible, people that experiences great miracles are history makers. They usually do something wonderful first, then God rewards with a miracle. E.g. What Abraham did in Genesis 22 caught God's attention and he was given a special blessing in verse 16. if you want to receive this, you too must be prepared to be the best in loving God, worshipping Him, trusting Him, having faith in His word and pleasing God in all you do.
Prayer Point

Father, please give me the grace to do something great that will call for an unprecedented blessing in my life in Jesus name.
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Open Heavens Daily Devotional Messages, By Pastor E.A Adeboye.

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


REVIVAL THROUGH PRAYER – Thursday February 4th 2016

Posted: 01 Feb 2016 12:34 PM PST

REVIVAL THROUGH PRAYER 
Memorise: After two days will be revive us: in the third day he will raise us up,
and we shall live in his sight. Hosea 6:2
Read: Hosea 6:1-6, Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Bible in one year: Matthew 25:31-26:68, Job 15:22-35
MESSAGE!!!
Prayer is a divine mechanism that God gave to Christians as a means of communicating with heaven. It is also a very powerful weapon for spiritual warfare. A man who has a fervent prayer life walks with God; no journey can be more blessed and productive than the one taken with the Almighty God through prayer. Simple prayers offered for individuals, the local community, the nation and the Church were responsible for much of the great miracles and moves of God in different parts of the world in history. The Bible in James 4:2 says,
"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
This passage states clearly that we could so much desire a thing to the point of killing for it, but this does not guarantee that we will get that desired thing. The only thing that guarantees our getting a lasting blessing is to ask in prayer.
When we speak of a revival, it must be clear to all that there is never such a thing as a revival if it does not start with prayer. Every revival in history came to be as result of prayer. The great revival under Jonathan Edwards in the eighteen century kicked off with his famous call to prayer. David Brainerd, Charles Finney, the Wesley brothers, the great revival of 1930 in Nigeria, and the one that gave birth to the Redeemed Christian Church of God, all started with prayer. As a matter of fact, every true awakening and revival always begins with prayer. The big question therefore is; do we need revival now?
Taking a cursory look at happening around the world, we will see clearly that what the world needs now is revival, more so when we consider happenings within the body of Christ. Things have deteriorated so badly, both the laity and clergy have departed from the path of holiness and truth. Today, the fruit and gifts of the Spirit are only evident in the lives of very few Christians. Many genuinely born again Christians are not living in sin but they are cold and operating far below expectation. The only solution to the problem of the Church now is revival. We must pray that God should revive us again, break through our self-centred daily routines, and fill us with the fire of revival as of old in Jesus' name.
God is especially pleased to answer any prayer that is focused on the revival of God's work and God's people. In my personal experience, fervent prayers always preceded every great move of God. Even prophecies and revelations of God must be prayed into physical manifestation. Therefore as individuals, we need revival in our personal lives, we need revival in our local communities, and we need revival in our nation. The Church of God also needs revival for renewal, rededication and spiritual empowerment.
Prayer Point
Father, please revive us again, fill us with the fire of revival for renewal and spiritual empowerment in Jesus' name.







REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT – Wednesday February 3rd 2016

Posted: 01 Feb 2016 12:32 PM PST

REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT 
Memorise: Wilt thou not receive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Psalm 85:6
Read: 1st Kings 19:4-8, But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

Bible in one year: Matthew 23:37-25:30, Job 15:7-21
MESSAGE!!!
All human beings have an intense desire to connect to God. One vital element that is required to connect to God is a nice quiet atmosphere, devoid of daily concerns, where one can ruminate over spiritual truths. Meanwhile, it is often difficult to create such within the unrelenting activities of one's daily life. This is why a retreat comes in handy. A spiritual retreat could be defined as a sustained period of quiet, uninterrupted time for a person to be reflective and receptive in God's presence. It offers a time to leave daily concerns, to connect with one's spiritual self, and to be attractive to the needs of one's soul and spirit. People seeking for a time of retreat often locate a retreat centre or a specific geographical place that offers an atmosphere conductive for quite reflection. The search for spiritual retreat has taken many to Prayer Mountains and remote solitary places.
Mount Carmel is best known as the site of Elijah's battle against the prophets of Baal. However, the fact that Elijah and Elisha frequently returned to Mount Carmel is an indication that they were using the mountain for spiritual retreat. The overall purpose of a spiritual retreat is to be transformed in whatever manner God chooses. Withdrawing to a place of spiritual retreat offers a time for refreshment and nourishment of life, a time to experience a continual sense of God's presence that could become a constant reality in everyday life. Acts 3:19 says,
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord"
Therefore, a time of spiritual retreat is a time for sober reflection, repentance, rededication, revival and rejuvenation. The book of 1st Kings 18:20-46 showed us the structure and pattern of a spiritual retreat. First, Elijah rebuilt the ruined altar to Yehweh, symbolising repentance and rededication of Israel to God. Then, he dug a trench around the altar and poured 12 jars of water on the sacrifice, the wood, and the altar, filling the trench, symbolising the activities of the Spirit. Finally, he called on Yehweh, who answered immediately by fire that consumed the whole sacrifice, including the water, the wood, and the stones of the altar. This was immediately followed by heavy rains after three and half years of drought. There was great celebration as the people rejoiced in the Lord for a time of refreshing. A spiritual retreat always leads to celebration.
A spiritual retreat is also used a pursue personal holiness and to stay connected to God. Several passages in the Gospels according to Saint Mark and Matthew, give the account of Jesus retreating to pray. This point out the importance of spiritual retreating to Christians. Every child of God, as a matter of necessity, must constantly create time for spiritual retreat, seeking the face of the Lord for cleansing, renewal, re-dedication, and spiritual empowerment    
Prayer Point:

Father, please revive me again, that I may experience a time of refreshing from above in Jesus' name. 

INTIMIDATED? – Tuesday February 2nd 2016

Posted: 01 Feb 2016 12:30 PM PST

INTIMIDATED? 
Memorise: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour 1st Peter 5:8
Read: 1st Kings 19:1-4, 19 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

Bible in one year: Matthew 21:28-23:39, Job 14:18-15:6
MESSAGE!!!
Discouragement is usually defined as a lack of courage, a state of mind which is marked by fear of failure and loss of hope. Discouragement is one of the powerful weapons commonly used by the devil to keep children of God from fulfilling their purpose. Satan used it against the Israelites to prevent them from entering Canaan because they were intimidated by the circumstances surrounding conquering the Canaanites; the Canaanite cities were very large, well fortified, and seemingly un-defeat-able. These caused the heart of the Israelites to melt within them to the extent that they lost faith in the Word of God, and could not act on the promises of God.
Discouragement is failure to live by faith because it usually leads to doubt, and an inability to view circumstances around us from a divine perspective. Discouragement is therefore a sinful state of mind that is unable to adjust to disappointments and unfavourable circumstances in line with the Word of God and His promises.
It is important to note that discouragement is a powerful weapon of intimidation in the hands of the devil. It usually comes whenever a person has an important objective to achieve. For example, Israel had an objective given to them by God; the walls of Jerusalem were to be rebuilt. As the people embarked on the project with vigour and determination, they were faced with opposition from enemies and even fellow Jews. The situations become intimidating to the point of demoralisation as recorded in Nehemiah 4:10-23. At a point, some of the workers became discouraged while the wall was yet half finished, then the opposition intensified their attack using fear and intimidation as the chief weapon. All these were masterminded by the devil to make it impossible for the Jews to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem at that time. 1st Peter 5:8-9 says,
The Bible admonishes us to be sober, vigilant, and watchful, always ready to resist and confront anyone that may want to weaken our hands from doing whatever assignment the Lord has committed to us.
By the grace of God, the success story of the Redeemed Christian Church of God is being told all over the world today, but when we first started, the steps that God used to bring in the results that are being celebrated were terribly criticised both within and outside the Church. I decree that all oppositions to your success and breakthrough will be silenced today in Jesus' name.
Prayer point

Father, don't let me ever fall for discouragement from satanic intimidation.

REASON FOR MIRACLES (Teens)– Thursday 4th February 2016

Posted: 01 Feb 2016 12:26 PM PST

REASON FOR MIRACLES (teenagers)
Memorise: Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen yet believed." John 20:29
Please Read: John 11:43-45  43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 28-29; Acts 20:17-35
MESSAGE!!!
A miracle is an extra ordinary extra special event that can only be done by God. For it to happen, God changes things around.
Why will God put so much work into performing a miracle?
Ø That people might believe in Him (Exodus 4:1-9)
Ø Out of love and care for people that are suffering (Luke 7:11-15)
Ø To show that someone is a true man of God (Act 2:22)
Ø When people have strong faith in God
Ø When people are hopeless and desperate for help.
Miracles are real and still happens. We thank God that in our ministry, creative miracles still happens. To gain the love and care of God, you need to have a relationship with him by being born again. Top that up by being totally a strong faith in the name of Jesus; Being a witness of Jesus, telling people of His goodness and mercy and finally praying always – you are a sure candidate for a miracle.
Prayer point
Father, please settle my case today; visit me with a divine miracle in Jesus' name.


LET THE FIRE FALL (Teens) – Wednesday 3rd February 2016

Posted: 01 Feb 2016 12:25 PM PST

LET THE FIRE FALL (teenagers) 
Memorise; Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ
Jesus. 1stCorinthians 5:18
Please Read: 1st Kings 18:36-39, 36 And 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.
37 Hear 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.
38 Then 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.
39 And 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: Jeremiah 26-27; Acts 20:1-16
MESSAGE!!!
The term 'fire of God' is often used in the Bible to show: God's presence, God's power, God's judgment and His anointing. Let's use Prophet Elijah as a model.
1)      He waited for the night time before repairing the broken altar.
2)     He rebuilt the altar in the name of the Lord.
3)     He did everything step-by-step following God's instructions.
4)    He prayed in thanksgiving in God's name. Then God answered by 'fire'

What to do: Repair your worship time with God; make sure you do not do anything that displeases God; read and obey the instructions given in the Bible, pray and wait for answers. When you wait, fire will fall just like on Pentecost day (Acts 1:4).

What are the benefits: Overflowing anointing, hearing directly from God, healing, miracles, signs and wonders.
Prayer Point
Jesus, you are the one who baptised with Holy Ghost and with fire; please saturate my life with your fire.


ARE YOU FRUITFUL? (Teens) –Tuesday 2nd February 2016

Posted: 01 Feb 2016 12:23 PM PST

ARE YOU FRUITFUL? (teenagers) 
Memorise: He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch
that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2
Please Read: Luke 13:6-9, He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 24:25; Acts 19:21-41
MESSAGE!!!
The word 'Be fruitful' is a commandment and a blessing. God expect all His creation to have fruits. Jesus confirmed this in John 15:8 when He said that people that bear fruits are God's disciples. The fig tree in today's reading is expected to have fig fruits. We are expected to use our skills, talents, education, knowledge, wisdom and money to bless God's people. When we do this, we will win more souls to the Kingdom

The parable of talents in Matthew 25:14-30 confirms this. You are never too young to use your talent so make good use of every opportunity that comes your way. For you to do this successfully, you need to be genuinely born-again. You must have a relationship with God: accept Him as your Saviour; live by His laws and desire to please Him always. As you do your best in these ways, He will give you the grace to produce many fruits to His glory.
Prayer Point

Father, please make me fruitful in every area of my life in Jesus' name.
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