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

Open Heavens Monday 7 November 2016:- Are you overcoming?

Posted: 04 Nov 2016 01:45 PM PDT

ARE YOU OVERCOMING? – Monday November 7^th 2016

Memorise: Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37

Read: John 16:31-33 (KJV)

³¹Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?

³²Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

³³These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Bible in one year: Genesis 1-3, Psalms 97

MESSAGE

God, in His Word, states that everyone who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. The experience of persecution is part of our heritage as believers in Christ Jesus. The world will treat you in a cruel manner simply because of your faith. They will do many things to hurt you simply because you have chosen to live righteous. There are a lot of prices to pay for being a disciple of Jesus Christ, however, the benefits of following Christ far outweighs its cost. Open Heavens Monday 7 November 2016:- Are you overcoming? If you truly serve God the way you should, the world will persecute you. That is why I pity those people who live amiably with all and sundry. If you are a genuine believer and the world speaks so well of you and loves you so much, you have to be careful.

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow his steps"

1^st Peter 2:21

Following the footsteps of Jesus may involve sufferings of all kinds. There are many people who say they are called into ministry, and they want to start the ministry by having all the comforts of life. They want offices that are fully air-conditioned; they want official cars, a place where their needs can be regularly guaranteed. Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having all these, but it should not become a condition for our response to the calling of God upon our lives. Nobody who is really devoted to serving the Lord will escape the kind of persecutions that people like David, Jeremiah, Daniel, Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego went through. David was persecuted because he killed a giant that Saul was unable to handle. Jeremiah was beaten and cast into prison because he declared the absolute Word of God to a sinful generation. Preaching the truth will always attract persecution, but you can be sure that the blood of those you told the truth will not be demanded from you. Daniel faced a lot of problems simply because he distinguished himself among the governors. Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego were cast into the burning furnace simply because they refused to compromise and bow to other gods.

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us"

Romans 8:37

This portion of the scripture tells us that there is no amount of pressure from the pit of hell that can take us away from the love of God. David was a conqueror because God did not stop with him until he got to the throne. Daniel was a conqueror because no king ever served in his life time without having to recourse with him. The same Hebrew boys that were cast into the fiery furnace were the same boys whose God was declared the only One whom the whole nation must worship. 7 November 2016 Open Heavens. The Lord commands us to rejoice when we go through trials in life, because great is our reward. People may say all kinds of evil against you. They may hate you. They may decide not to involve you in any beneficial thing, just to put you off. Do not fret, because you will laugh last.

Prayer Point

Father, please, strengthen me that I may never bow to the pressure of life

Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye

Open Heavens Sunday 6 November 2016:- Forsaking the way?

Posted: 04 Nov 2016 01:17 PM PDT

FORSAKING THE WAY? – Sunday November 6^th 2016

Memorise: For Demas hath forsake me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia Titus unto Dalmatia. 2^nd Timothy 4:10

Read: Luke 9:57-62 (KJV)

⁵⁷And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

⁵⁸And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

⁵⁹And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

⁶⁰Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

⁶¹And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

⁶²And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Bible in one year: Revelation 19:11-22:21, Psalms 96

MESSAGE

In the Bible reading of today, some of those who were invited by Jesus could not come because they had excuses. On that day, when we shall all stand before the Almighty God, there will no longer be any excuses. Anyone who desires to please God and withstand the storms of life must not allow anything to hinder him from making it to the Kingdom. Open Heavens Sunday 6 November 2016:- Forsaking the way? There are many people who started well but didn't end well because of the distractions of life. There are many things people do, which unknown to them, enslaves them to the devil. Demas forsook the faith because of his love for the world. Are you also forsaking God for riches? If others are deceived, you must not allow yourself to be a victim. This is why I always emphasise the fact that who or what you allow determines what follows you.

It is very obvious that Demas, who started well, missed it down the line because he did not set his priorities right. He totally abandoned the missionary support of Apostle Paul and became engrossed with the business of this world. This business consumed the thinking of Demas to the point that he was no longer relevant in the business of the Kingdom. While others continued with Paul on evangelistic responsibilities, Demas went back to the world. This will not be your lot in Jesus' name. In the world today, innumerable people are allowing the love of money to capture their hearts; they have wandered away from the Presence of God. Money is temporal and not eternal, money cannot by joy; it cannot buy the peace of God. It is only the blessing of the Almighty God that makes one rich without any sorrow added to it. The desire to satisfy the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is what is deceiving many. Some people are always concerned about what they don't have and what God has not done. There is no better life outside Jesus Christ. What is that thing that you value over and above your salvation? It is the plan and purpose of God that you focus on Him for all your needs. No matter how much energy you put into the pursuance of the mundane things of this world, they are not enough to make you blessed. It is the blessing and joy of the Lord that makes one to be at peace. 6 November 2016 Open Heavens.

Beloved, you have to call yourself to order, you have to make a commitment to focus on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Anyone who seeks to be a genuine follower of Jesus Christ must be willing to deny himself and live above the ephemerals of this present world. If you will pursue God, money and all that money cannot buy would pursue you. If you don't forsake Him, His goodness and mercy will follow you daily.

Prayer Point

Father, help me never to forsake you for anything in this world.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye