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

BEWARE OF PRIDE – Thursday May 26th 2016
NOT IMPOSSIBLE – Wednesday May 25th 2016
THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS – Tuesday May 24th 2016
DO YOU LOVE GOD? – Monday May 23rd 2016
A SON INDEED? – Sunday May 22nd 2016

BEWARE OF PRIDE – Thursday May 26th 2016

Posted: 21 May 2016 02:51 PM PDT

BEWARE OF PRIDE

Memorise: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

Read: 1^st Peter 5:5-6, ⁵Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

⁶Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Bible in one year: 1^st Chronicles 25-27, Proverbs 29:22-30:6

Our topic for today is a warning to be very careful of pride. Pride is a giant killer that has turned many great men and woman of God to mere casualties. Pride is the first and foremost of the traditional seven deadly sins, perhaps because it is in many ways the root of other sins. Even the "original sin" of Adam and Eve was not mere disobedience, but at the heart of it was pride, quietly lurking in a corner. The fact that Adam and Eve wanted to be like God, reveals a form of hidden pride. Ironically, eating the forbidding fruit led to the opening of their eyes, increasing them in knowledge and wisdom. It turned their attention away from God and they became focused on their outward appearance. They immediately developed the ability, confidence and independence to decide and act on their own without any recourse to God their maker. This is the same fatal foolishness that has plagued the human race ever since.

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."

Pride has been correctly identified by many as the greatest woe which can quickly destroy anyone captured by it. I usually tell my children that apart from impure thoughts and cravings of the body, another area in which you must exert your victory over the flesh is pride. A proud person is always in contention – fighting with those he thinks he is better than; such a fellow will do everything to show that he is better than others. The proud is always in competition with those who appear better off, just to prove a point that he or she is superior. In doing this, the proud will make derogatory statements about such people and cut them to size just to show that he knows it better or can do it better.
The proud finds it difficult to acknowledge the sincere work or effort of others because he thinks such will displace him from being on top. The proud sees himself as being number one in all things. Apart from contending with men, the proud also contend s with God. Anyone who is proud or haughty and is speaking so much about God is only a pretender. By reason of their contention with God, they have enthroned themselves as number one in their own lives, making God their running mate. Are you finding it difficult to recognize the efforts of those that are better than you in certain areas? You are simply proud.

Psalms 73:6 says some people are compassed with pride. This implies that it is possible for pride to be visibly glaring in the life of someone that is full of it. You can be clothed in pride just as you can be clothed in humility. You can be clothed in pride just as you can be clothed in humility. You can identify a proud person from his or her looks, carriage, dressing, speech, behaviour, giving, prayer, Christian service, work, attitude, etc. Unfortunately, Isaiah 13:11 says that the same reason which makes the proud fellow haughty is the same reason that will make him fall. Every proud individual is headed for a fall and proud people end up being destroyed (Proverbs 16:18). Some people are proud but they don't know it. If you exalt yourself by your words and conduct, you shall be abased (Matthew 23:12). James 4:6 speaks of something quite frightening: it says God resists the proud which confirms that God is always contending with the proud, is there pride in your heart? Ask God to forgive and uproot every trace of pride from your life today.

Prayer point

Father, please remove the spirit of pride from my life this moment in Jesus' name.

NOT IMPOSSIBLE – Wednesday May 25th 2016

Posted: 21 May 2016 02:49 PM PDT

NOT IMPOSSIBLE

Memorise: For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

Read: Numbers 14:6-9, ⁶And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

⁷And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

⁸If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.

⁹Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

Bible in one year: 1^st Chronicles 22:2-24:31, Proverbs 29:10-21

MESSAGE

One thing I have always told my children that every Christian should never forget is the fact that the Christian life is not an ordinary life, but a supernatural one. It is something superior to the ordinary natural existence. It supersedes the natural so much that it compels things to be done that would ordinarily not be done. The supernatural can cause events contrary to natural laws to take place. Anyone operating at the realm of the supernatural therefore does what everyone else terms 'impossible'. One such instance is Ezekiel's encounter with the dry bones. It takes supernatural power to reverse the irreversible.

It also takes this power that is beyond human ability to move the immovable. This is also the kind of power that is required to win your nation for Jesus. This year, you will encounter the supernatural so much that whatever is irreversible in your life will be reversed, and whatever has been immovable will be moved in your favour in Jesus' Name.

When you are operating in the realm of the supernatural, you face situations with the understanding that with God, nothing shall be impossible. What is that physical challenge you are having in your body? By the power of God, it shall be resolved today. This year, what everyone had deemed impossible will be possible for you. By the power of the Most High, what you found most impossible to accomplish will become possible. Every chain of impossibility around that nagging situation is broken now in the victorious Name of Jesus Christ. Possibilities will be your experience from now.

When some people meet with difficulties in a particular business, they abandon it for another. This may not necessarily be the best thing to do. Even when it appears hopeless, just hold on to God's Word concerning the situation, obey and wait for the result. To solve a particular problem or challenge, it is not necessarily the number of attempts made that matters, but who is aiding your attempts. Peter had tried so many times without a catch that night, but the only attempt he made that had the backing of the Lord delivered to him a harvest beyond expectations. The major challenge which believers going through the path of hopelessness face is that, unlike Peter, they lack a Word from God in respect to their situation. When there is nothing from God on an issue, the state of hopelessness will be worse. But if God has spoken a Word on the matter, the case is as good as closed in your favour. Are you in a hopeless situation? Take time to read and study the Bible, asking God to give you a Word for that situation. God always has something to say about your situation, but are you ready to hear it? God is assuring you, it is not impossible! As you return to that abandoned project or failed business, every impossibility shall become possible in the name of Jesus.

Prayer Point

Father, please give me the grace to always look unto You for everything I need in life.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS – Tuesday May 24th 2016

Posted: 21 May 2016 02:47 PM PDT

THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Memorise: So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your

hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:35

Read; Matthew 18:32-35, 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 everyone his brother their trespasses.

Bible in one year; 1^st Chronicles 19:1-22:1, proverbs 28:26-29:9

MESSAGE

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. It is also commandment from God and a requirement to be fulfilled before anyone can enjoy the grace of receiving His forgiveness in our lives. The root cause of bitterness and un-forgiveness in our lives is often the root cause of a number of other issues that we may be dealing with on a regular basis.

Forgiving whether we feel like it or not, or releasing even the greatest offender into God's hands will baffle, confound, and damage the whole realm of Satan. Just as all of heaven rejoices when we accept Christ, so hell impotently rages as we reclaim lost ground.

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not ….. neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:14-15

Let us assume that your problems are really big. You have been badly hurt by your partner's actions. No one denies the pain and anger you are going through, especially if your partner has been unfaithful. But despite the unfaithfulness or whatever it is that has caused you to think about divorce, assuming that there has been true repentance, have you tried forgiveness? Forgiveness is ultimately the only way we can handle broken relationships. It is the only way we can lay past problems to rest. Forgiveness is not a surge of emotions; it is a deliberate act of will. For Christians, the forgiveness we exercise is based on the fact that we ourselves have been forgiven by God. I know that many hurting partners will say, 'I have forgiven again and again.' if that is so and your forgiveness has been abused and trampled on, it may well be time for another action. But before you take the final step, put all your problems into perspective. Is it worth throwing away the past years if it is possible to salvage the relationship with an act of Christian forgiveness? I am not suggesting it is easy, that the pain will mysteriously go away or that all the problems will be sorted out overnight. There may be a great deal of work that needs to be done.

Bitterness is a cyclical, repetitive, tightly closed circle of self-cantered pain. It carries us round and around the same senseless arc. Like a child learning to ride a bicycle, knowing how to ride but not how to stop, we pedal on and on, afraid to quit, yet wishing desperately for someone to come and take the bars, break our circling, and let us off. Bitterness is useless. Repayment is impossible. Revenge is impotent. Resentment is impractical. Only forgiveness can reconcile the differences and restore healing to a relationship. Rejecting all the relationship that have failed us is the most common counsel among Christians and non- Christians alike. Cut off the old connections, withdraw from all interactions, live at a distance, and avoid any intimacy or involvement. Above all, do not risk working toward towards forgiveness. All these are contrary to the Word of God.

It is definitely not easy to forgive and it may be impossible to forget. However, it is possible for us to forgive because we have the power of the Holy Spirit within. Think for a moment, and honestly answer the big question, have you considered forgiveness?

Prayer Point

Father, please close the door against the spirit of un-forgiveness in my life in Jesus' name.

DO YOU LOVE GOD? – Monday May 23rd 2016

Posted: 21 May 2016 02:44 PM PDT

DO YOU LOVE GOD?

Memorise: So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas,

lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. John 21:15

Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-7, ⁴Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

⁵And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

⁶And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

⁷And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Bible in one year: 1^st Chronicles 16:8-18:17, Proverbs 28:14-25

MESSAGE

In today's Bible reading, Jesus asked a pointed question from Simon Peter, "lovest thou me more than these?" Jesus was not in doubt whether Peter loved Him; He was more interested in knowing the level of Peter's commitment to Him when compared to other worldly things. Many truly love God, but they are more committed to other things like their profession, business, means of livelihood, fashion, sport, entertainment, food and delicacies, friends and family, social engagements, etc. whenever God's demand clashes with their interests, they will surely go for their interests. When the chips are down, God must play the second fiddle to the true love of their lives. In this respect, in Psalms 42:1, David says

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God."

In the above passage, the Bible recorded the Psalmist speaking of his yearning of a dehydrated deer, whose need for God to the extreme yearning of a dehydrated deer, whose need for water is shown by its panting. We know the hart or deer does not pant except when it is being chased by a hunter or when it is highly dehydrated.

Do you know that for many people, it is only when they are being hunted by the devil or situations of life that they remember God? When everything else is in price: the store is filled with rich varieties of food, the bank account is bubbling, the contacts are coming, the family members are well and making progress and the ministry is moving on; the need to search for God never arises in the hearts of many. But when there is trouble: a child is sick, there is no food to eat, the business is experiencing dryness and there are several challenges in the ministry; then suddenly the one at the receiving end would remember that he or she has a God. If you seek God only when you are hunted, you are a God-user and not a God-lover. You can be sure God knows the difference and He will deal with His seekers accordingly. John 21:15 says:

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs."

It is possible to pursue God, not because you are in trouble but because you love Him. Anything can happen when you are in love. Songs of Solomon 2:5 says it is even possible to become sick because of love. If you have an intense love for God, you will go to any length for Him. God has created us to be capable of loving one another, particularly Him. If you find it difficult to truly love God, it is because something else or someone else has stolen your love. Material things have stolen the hearts of many people from God. If you have lost your first love – the original quality of love you once expressed towards Him when you first knew the Lord, then ask Him to help you recover it. Are you panting after God because you are hunted or because of love? If love drives you to God, love will drive Him to you in return and He will give Himself to you without reservation. Do you love God more than anything in this world?

Prayer Point

Father, let my love for You grow stronger, and stronger, all the days of my life.

A SON INDEED? – Sunday May 22nd 2016

Posted: 21 May 2016 02:25 PM PDT

A SON INDEED?

Memorise: Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an

heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:7

Read: 1^st John 3:1-3, 3 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.

²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

³And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Bible in one year: 1^st Chronicles 13:1-16:7, Proverbs 28:2-13

MESSAGE

In a previous teaching, I remember saying that a person can choose to be anything he or she wants before the Almighty God. You can be just a creature, a dog or a cow. You can go beyond being a mere creature to becoming a servant. Being a servant gives you more personal access to God. But you could go yet another step – to becoming a son of God. Sons have tremendous opportunities that servants do not have. As a son of God, you become a co-heir with Christ. That means all God's possessions jointly belong to Jesus and you. Besides, John 8:35 says sons abide in the house forever. No wonder David in Psalms 23:6 says, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever". He could say so because he had a son-ship relationship with the Lord. For such sons, even after leaving planet earth, Jesus promises to prepare a mansion in His Father's house for them to stay throughout eternity (John 14:1-3). Sons have eternal right to God's house. Are you a son of God?

If you abide in God's house, you will automatically flourish. Psalms 92:13 says,

"Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God."

Beyond being rich or wealthy, you can flourish. Age will not erode your opportunities or harvests. In fact, the older you get, the more flourishing you become. This is not for those who visit God's house. It is not for servants but for sons.

Some people endure going into God's house or presence. If they were asked to come for a big contract at 9 am, they would be there by 7 am. But if invited to meet with the King of kings for 8 am, they will stroll into church by 10 am. This attitude hinders people from attaining the heights they are meant to achieve. If you find it difficult to stay in God's presence, you can be sure you cannot have access into His Heavenly home. Those who will enter Heaven must desire to enter that city not made with hands (Hebrew 11:10, 16). It far excels the best of planet earth; in fact it is simply incomparable. Do you qualify for Heaven? To what extent do you long for Heaven? How much do you crave to be in God's presence? How much do you enjoy worshipping the Lord? May you make it to this glorious planet in Jesus' name.

"Those that be planned in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God"

Psalms 92:13

Why should anyone having the opportunity to be a son, choose to be a servant? When you consider all the benefits of being a son of the Most High God here on earth such as peace, security, divine provision, and abundant blessings; and then add those benefits waiting for us in heaven, then you wonder what is wrong with those that are fooling around with this wonderful opportunity to be identified as a child of the Most High God. Here is the good news! If you discover that your relationship with God is below that of a son, you can ask for an upgrade. Do a self-examination today and take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade to son-ship.

Prayer Point

Father, please don't let me ever live below the status of Your Son again in Jesus' name.

NO PARTIALITY – Saturday May 21st 2016
BEING UNMOVEABLE – Friday May 20th 2016
THE SERVANT LEADER – Thursday May 19th 2016
A GIANT KILLER? – Wednesday May 18th 2016

NO PARTIALITY – Saturday May 21st 2016

Posted: 17 May 2016 03:02 PM PDT

NO PARTIALITY – Saturday May 21^st 2016

Memorise: Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 1^st Timothy

5:20

Read: 1^st Timothy 5:17-21, ¹⁷Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

¹⁸For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

¹⁹Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

²⁰Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

²¹I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Bible in one year: 1^st Chronicles 10:12, Proverbs 27:15-28:1

MESSAGE

Partiality is defined as a favourable bias or prejudice. It could also mean a special fondness, or preferential treatment. The Bible speaks against partiality as an abomination in the sight of God. Partiality is especially evil because it leads to divisions, intrigue, envy, hatred, and unhealthy competition among the people of God. It is also terrible, in that it places the poor and the weak at a disadvantage. In any organization or community where partiality is practiced, peace and unity will be a rare community. The book of James reveals that the poor have a very important place in the Church because of the levelling effect of the Christian gospel. Also the nature and make-up of the Church has no place for the social classifications and distinctions of the world. In fact, if a Christian body should give any consideration to these distinctions, it becomes, by fact, evil, and sides with the wealthy who persecute Christians.

From the account of Genesis, it was favouritism that fuelled the fire of contention between Joseph and his brothers. The Bible has much to say about the pitfalls of partiality. In the Old Testament, favouritism is usually associated with injustice and bribery. But it was James who condemned partiality most harshly. As a leader in the early church, James witnessed Christians showing preference for wealthy members over poor ones. In his letter, James asks his audience a rhetorical question: "My brothers and sisters,
do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?" He said those who played favourites were like evil judges, and he condemned them for it: "But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and thus are convicted by the law as transgressions." His solution to the problem of partiality was simple. He issued the command: "Carry out the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself."

It's clear, in both Testaments, that any expression of favouritism is wrong and likely to produce disastrous consequences. Jacob's disproportionate love for Joseph alienated Joseph from his brothers and eventually led to his enslavement. Jacob's partiality also led to his greatness heartache – the loss of his son.

Because respect of persons or partiality is used biblically in a negative sense, the Bible declares several times that God is never guilty or partiality. Paul clearly states in a universal context that God does not show partiality or respect of persons in His judgement of the works of individuals. God's impartiality is made the basis for Paul's command to Christian masters to treat their slaves fairly since there is no favouritism with God, their own great Master in heaven (Ephesians 6:9). Paul uses this attitude of God to encourage the Christian slave to serve his master wholeheartedly, since he will be repaid by his impartial God in heaven.

Prayer point

Father, please purge my heart and Your Church of all acts of partiality and favouritism in Jesus' name.

BEING UNMOVEABLE – Friday May 20th 2016

Posted: 17 May 2016 02:59 PM PDT

BEING UNMOVEABLE

Memorise: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the

wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

Read: 1^st Corinthians 15:58, ⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Bible in one year: 1^st Chronicles 7-9, Proverbs 27:1-14

MESSAGE

As Christians, it is necessary that we are settled in our convictions, steadfast in faith and established in the Word of God. We should also be unmovable wherever external forces are concerned. We should be like a ship in a storm, solidly anchored. The winds may toss it to and fro, but it will only move around without being seriously troubled. A ship that is properly anchored will not be affected by the waves and the wind on the surface. 1^st Corinthians 15:58 says;

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always, abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

While this passage may have a general usage, it has a more specific meaning than what is usually assigned to it. Unmoveable or immovable means incapable of being moved, it means no matter what the devil does, the solid foundation of faith, which is built on the Word of God will hold things together. We must not allow ourselves to be moved away from what is right. Paul said, "Be not carried about with the divers and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9). Furthermore, Colossians 2:6-7 says,

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith,
as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."

There are constantly new forces, new invasions, new innovations which seek to push us off course. We must be un-moveable in the face of such attacks. The Christian's anchor is his faith and hope in the power of God. We are secure in the face of such attacks, always abounding in the work of the Lord. We must be constant, dedicated, unswerving in our dedication. The "work of the Lord" is what God has assigned to us. It includes not only our personal growth, but the growth of the church. Our love for God can be measured to some extent by how much we are willing to do. If one does "just enough to get by" his love is at best questionable.

'Abounding' means surpassing that which is required, or necessary for us, it militates against stagnation, separates the convicted from the nearly so, promotes spiritual health an d well-being, and amplifies the hope we have in Christ. That person who seeks to abound will seek opportunities to serve. He will not ask, "Do I have to?" but "what can I do?" Our labour is not in vain; both our labour and our hope are secure in Jesus. If we are steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in His work, we will reap in due season, if we faint not.

Prayer Point'

Father, please let my anchor hold firmly on You, don't let me ever fail in Jesus Name.

THE SERVANT LEADER – Thursday May 19th 2016

Posted: 17 May 2016 02:57 PM PDT

THE SERVANT LEADER

Memorise: If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to

wash one another's feet. John 13:14

Read: John 13:13-17, ¹³Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

¹⁵For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

¹⁶Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

¹⁷If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Bible in one year: 1^st Chronicles 4:24-6:81, Proverbs 26:15-28

MESSAGE

One great difference between servant leaders and self-serving leaders is that servant leaders always look at leadership as an act of service, while self-serving leaders view leadership as a high status and spend most of their time trying to protect their status. Servant leaders would embrace and welcome feedback, viewing it as a source of useful information on how they can provide better service, but self-serving leaders usually respond negatively, taking a harmless feedback as a sign of rejection. In Matthew 20:26b-28 Jesus said;

"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Servant leadership is service to others. It is not about lobbying for a position, nor politicking for power. Instead, it is looking for the opportunity to serve. This is not attractive to the insecure soul in need of abundant attention. Servant leaders avoid the limelight and serve in ways that often go unnoticed. The little things are what make a servant leader. It may be taking out the trash at home or making the coffee at work.

No task is too menial for the servant leader; there is something bigger than behaviour which distinguishes a servant leader. It is an attitude which wants to make others succeed. He knows that if those around him are successful, then there is a good chance that he too will experience success. He is wise to want what's best for others.
Jesus served for the glory of God. His ultimate service was laying down His life in love. In Matthew 10:39, our Lord Jesus who is an example of a perfect leader says;

"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

Any leader that is preoccupied with personal interests, protection of status, and preservation of positions, may not be a good ambassador of Christ. Another thing that helps you to identify a serving leader is integrity. They usually men and women of integrity. Proverbs 11:3 says the integrity of the righteous provides him with direction. Being someone who wants to please God, there are certain things he cannot do. Anything God will not be pleased with is a no-go area for him. Being a man of integrity, he states the exact time of his arrival in the office. In fact, everyone will strive to arrive before him knowing that he cannot alter his arrival time. He cannot also compromise the truth. He will not buy something for =N=100 and say he bought it for =N=500. He keeps his promises. His word is his bond. His relationship with the opposite sex is clean. He cannot take what does not belong to him. He has clean hands and a pure heart. Are you a man or woman of integrity?

Prayer Point

Father, please make me a servant leader, ever focused on your relationship principles in Jesus' name.

A GIANT KILLER? – Wednesday May 18th 2016

Posted: 17 May 2016 02:54 PM PDT

A GIANT KILLER?

Memorise: For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do

mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:13

Read: Colossians 3:1-6, 3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

²Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

³For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

⁴When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

⁵Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

⁶For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Bible in one year: 1^st Colossians 1:1-4:23, Proverbs 26:1-14

MESSAGE

David is the biblical man for all seasons, the most complex and many-sided human character in the Scripture. David was variously shepherd, fugitive, politician, king, poet, musician, prophet, warrior, friend (of Jonathan), lover, father, sinner (adulterer and murderer), penitent and "type" of Christ. David is unique among bible characters by virtue of being fully known to us, both from the outside (as subject of narrative writing) and from the inside (as writer of Lyric poems). While many post biblical exegetical and literary traditions take extravagant liberties with biblical data, the traditions stemming from David can all find biblical basis. This includes the Puritan image of David the reformer, the true child of God resisting the assaults of a tyrannical king (Saul), beset by slanderers and enemies; the champion who fought against God's enemies, the king who reformed the nation and established worship on a holy foundation.

The role in which David is best known to the Western imagination is that of 'boy hero and giant killer'. When David killed Goliath, he became an instant public hero, a civic liberator providing possible inspiration for fictional heroes, following in his wake from Beowulf to Jack (of the beanstalk). To this day we read in the newspapers about someone pulling of a "little David" act in sports or politics, or about a "David and Goliath" contest. David's success in expanding the territory of Israel was unequalled in the annals of Israeli history.

David's career as a national hero was preceded by his career as an underdog. The youngest son, belittled by his older siblings (1^st Samuel 17:28-29), David was considered so unlikely a candidate among Jesse's sons to be anointed as the future king that he had to be summoned from tending the sheep after the other brothers had been passed over (1^st Samuel 16:6-11).
Subsequently, he had a career as a fugitive, fleeing from the wrathful Saul, living continuously on the edge. There is even a touch of David as a rebel and a desperado. Jesus cited David as a precedent for disobeying the Levitical laws on the basis of the time when David took consecrated bread to feed his hungry men, and also ate from it too (Matthew 12:3-4). Then there is David the political strategist. Even after he was anointed king of Judah, David had to undertake a long process of consolidating his power until he eventually became king of the entire nation (2^nd Samuel 2-5).

Anyone who has ever been to Sunday school probably knows the story of David and Goliath. In fact, the concept of a boy giant-killer excites even the imaginations of unbelievers. And well it should. Not only is this an actual historical event and a wonderful Bible story to tell our children, it is also a powerful demonstration of victorious spiritual warfare. It's a story we need to revisit often as we mature in the Lord. The imagery in this story is rich with profound spiritual truths and insights that can help strengthen our own understanding of how to engage effectively in spiritual battle. With your study group, read through this passage, ask the Holy Spirit to open your mind and heart to new truths, and then together begin to 'mine' the rich treasure contained in this passage.

Prayer Point

Father, please give me the grace to achieve greater feats than David.

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