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

THE BELIEVER’S AUTHORITY I – Tuesday October 11th 2016

Posted: 08 Oct 2016 01:30 PM PDT

THE BELIEVER'S AUTHORITY I – Tuesday October 11^th 2016

Memorise; Then He called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. Luke 9:1

Read: Luke 9:1-6, (KJV)

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

²And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

³And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

⁴And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

⁵And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

⁶And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

Bible in one year: Daniel 1-2, Psalms 78:1-8

MESSAGE

A believer's power and authority are two potent legacies that are highly irresistible beyond any man's imagination. However, it is unfortunate that many children of God do not recognize them. This is the reason why the devil batters them on every side. As a result of this ignorance, the victor becomes a victim of circumstances. I pray for someone using this devotional; you will never be a victim of circumstances in Jesus' name.

Power is the ability to perform a function and this is what Jesus Christ has made available to all His genuine disciples. Authority is more valuable than power because you can have the ability to do something, but if you don't have the authority, you may not be able to. For example, with the power of the gun, you can hunt wildlife in the jungle, but if you are not licensed to hunt wildlife in the jungle, but if you are not licensed to hurt and you do, you may be jailed. In John 5:25-27 the Bible says:

"Verily verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgement also, because he is the Son of man."

Interestingly, according to today's memory verse, this power and the authority to perform have been given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ:

"Then He called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."

When a (so called) child of God is now caught in situations that are unbecoming of a saint and he then says "it is the work of the devil!" such a believer does not know the authority he has. The power to live above sin is made available through the work of redemption that Jesus Christ wrought at Calvary. The Bible says in 1^st John 3:8:

"He that commiteth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."

When you come to Jesus Christ and you believe that He came to save you from the power of sin, He will not only forgive you, but will also give you the power to go and sin no more (John 8:11). This is the assurance that we have; that the grace of Jesus Christ will deliver us from the dominion of sin (Romans 6:14). My prayer is that you will not be beaten by the power of sin in Jesus' name.

Prayer Point

I prophesy to my life: I will no longer be a victim of sin, but a victor in Christ Jesus. Amen.

FAITH LIKE A CHILD’S? – Monday October 10th 2016

Posted: 08 Oct 2016 01:20 PM PDT

FAITH LIKE A CHILD'S? – Monday October 10^th 2016

Memorise: And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

Read: Matthew 18:1-6, (KJV)

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

²And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

³And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

⁴Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

⁵And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

⁶But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Bible in one year: Ezekiel 46:19-48:35, Psalms 77:11-20

MESSAGE

The child-like faith is what everybody requires, not only to make it to heaven but also to enjoy his or her days on the earth. If we do not believe this because it sounds illogical, we must believer it because Jesus said it. What is then required of us is to pray for the kind of faith that is comparable with that of a little child. The first thing about a little child is that he is very trusting. In my living room several years ago, there used to be a portrait of a little child looking so innocent with the inscription; "Non Problem". The faith that will enable us not to see problems but see only God who specialises in solving problems is the best for us.

Another characteristic trait of little children is that they forgive easily. Unlike adults who keep malice, children forgive and forget the wrong done to them almost immediately after it's done. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:32:

"And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Children fulfil his Biblical injunction freely. Children could be very generous with their things except in some unusual occasions. Without knowing the spiritual implication of their actions, children are tender hearted with their peers. This is exactly what God wants from us. In Colossians 3:12-13, the Bible also says:

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another and forgive one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."

There are many blessings we will access from the throne of God our Father if we can begin to take after children. For example, if we freely forgive those who wrong us like a child will do, our prayers will receive quick answers from God. In Mark 11:25, Jesus Christ said:

"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

This instruction that comes from our Lord is simply saying that before we pray, we must first forgive! We can see the reason many of our prayers are not answered; we refuse to forgive. I pray that a user of this devotional will find grace to forgive and be kind hearted in Jesus'name.

Prayer Point

Father, please help my faith and transform me to be able to forgive freely and be tender hearted in Jesus' name.