OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE DATE : THURSDAY 16 JUNE 2016 THEME : CEASELESS PRAYER

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

DATE : THURSDAY 16 JUNE 2016

THEME : CEASELESS PRAYER

Memorise :

Pray without ceasing. 1  Thessalonians 5:17

Read : Luke 18:1-8

1 AND he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Message

Every Christian should have a state of mind that can take part in the action of prayer at anytime; there should never be a hindered access to our Heavenly Father.

All through the scriptures, we see the results of those who prayed. Prayer is the foundation of every victorious living. Anyone who will be fruitful, both in life and in ministry, must be able to give priority to prayer. For any project to be successful, it must be backed by prayer. Jesus demonstrated to us that to get the right kind of results, prayer is the key because prayer is a tool that helps in strengthening one's relationship with God. The more time you spend in Gods presence, the more you will act and think like Him. Spending time in the place of prayer will help you align your desires, attitudes, actions and beliefs to suit God's will. It is in the place of prayer that you can establish a deep intimacy and faith in His ability to deliver. It is also in the place of prayer that you can gain access to deeper revelations. The major cause of failure in many people's life is the lack of prayer, it seems they intentionally sleep and allow the devil to deny them of God's promises.

You should never joke with your prayer life; especially since you know that the God you pray to is a prayer answering God. Prayer must not be seen as a religious exercise if you will experience the glory of God.
Ceaseless prayer is also not about vain repetition and ambiguity; you must make yourself clear to God and not assume He knows your problem. Of course He does, but He expects you to open up and let Him know what exactly you want Him to do for you. Without prayer, you cannot receive the attention of heaven because prayer is a spiritual network that links you to heaven before help can be released to you. When you are given to prayer, no weapon of the enemy against your life will prosper because the Lion of the tribe of Judah is at work in you, to defend you and disgrace all your enemies. Daniel was a man of prayers and his prayer life was the source of his strength in God. Through this, he was able to do great exploits in a strange land.

Those who do not pray are always  helpless. They go from place to place looking for prayer agents. No wonder they are always falling victims in the hands of fake prophets. Come boldly to the throne of mercy and seek divine intervention over any given situation in your life and you will experience the awesome power of God in your life.

Key Point :

Certain things will never be received until they are asked for.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Nehemiah 4:1-6:14 and Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: OH SPREAD THE TIDING ROUND

Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come!

Chorus:
The Comforter has come,
The Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from heav’n,
The Lord’s dear promise giv’n;
Oh, spread the tidings ’round,
Wherever man is found,
The Comforter has come!

2. The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last;
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast!
The Comforter has come!

Chorus:

3. Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings,
To every captive soul a full deliv’rance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings:
The Comforter has come!

Chorus:

4. O boundless love divine! how shall this tongue of mine
To wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine
That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine!
The Comforter has come!

Chorus.

OPEN HEAVENS BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE WEDNESDAY 15TH JUNE, 2016. GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT

OPEN HEAVENS BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
WEDNESDAY 15TH JUNE, 2016.

GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT

MEMORISE: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

READ : 1 Timothy 6:6-11
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Nehemiah 1-3 and Ecclesiastes 7:19-29

MESSAGE
The moment a person makes up his mind to focus his passion and life on seeking after the things of God, he becomes very content with life. There are lots of people who are not enjoying their lives because they are being consumed with the mundane things of this world. As a child of God, your focus and attention should centre on the Word of God which will help you live life with a sense of fulfilment.

It is not the abundance of what you have that determines the joy you get in life. I have been privileged to get close to many wealthy and influential people, and I have concluded that the best kind of life is a life of simplicity. There are people, who focus on gaining worldly possessions, but those who know the essence of life will focus on things of the spirit and they will not allow the lust of this world to consume their  hearts.

"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Philippians 4:12

Paul had learnt how to be content in poverty and in wealth. This should also be the life of every child of God, because it is only in Christ that one understands the purpose of all things. Paul learnt how to be poor without complaining about his circumstances. He knew how to go about his life in situations of want knowing that God was in charge of his life.

It is no news that the greatest problem of man is greed; it is also the major cause of underdevelopment in many nations, as those that have been entrusted with resources are continually greedily trying to acquire more money. As believers, we must know how to posses money without money possessing us. We should not follow the  examples of those who have allowed money to become an idol in their lives.

Anytime we are in need, we should call on God; it is only Jesus Christ who gives strength to overcome the despair and discouragement of such moments, and any time we are in wealth, we need Christ to help us exercise full control over the wealth.

There is nothing we go through that we don't have the power to endure because our strength is of the Lord. We must not become obsessed with the gains of this world at the expense of our souls, especially since it is not possession that brings happiness. Christ is the source of happiness; therefore, it is the foundation that we have in Him that determine the extent of our commitment in life.

We must not allow the process of getting rich deny us the ultimate satisfaction and joy in Christ Jesus. We should not become spiritually bankrupt because we are on a quest to get rich. We should not stray away from the Faith because we want money. God is more than able to supply all our needs as we put our trust in Him and follow His instructions for our lives.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me to find rest in You.

OPEN HEAVENS BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE TUESDAY 14TH JUNE, 2016. MIGHTY TO SAVE.

OPEN HEAVENS BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
TUESDAY 14TH JUNE, 2016.

MIGHTY TO SAVE.

MEMORISE : If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. DANIEL 3 : 17

READ : DANIEL 3 : 20 - 25 :
20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : EZRA 8 : 24 - 10 : 44 AND ECCLESIASTES 7 : 9 - 18.

MESSAGE
It is a precious things to know the God you serve. The Almighty God is mighty to save. They that know their God shall be strong and do exploits. The three Hebrew boys were able to stand before the King and the religious leaders of their time to declare the sovereignty of the Almighty God because they knew Him well.

From the story in today's Bible reading, it is evident that there are tremendous benefits in knowing the God you serve. The knowledge of the boys delivered them from the destruction of the King. The presence of God provided a divine seal of approval that these were not jokers, but genuine children of God. The knowledge of God produces strength and courage, knowing well that there is nothing that confronts you in life that is beyond God. These boys did not serve God only because He save them; they serve Him majorly because of who they knew Him to be. There are many people who are only serving God as long as things are happening in their best interests.

God does not like enemies rejoicing over His children. Every time there is a situation that might result in the enemy rejoicing over the children of God, He will step in to show to the world that He is mighty to save. This is why I pity those who mess with the anointed of the Lord. There are two people to fear in the world: God and the man that fears God. The moment you are genuine child of God, all your enemies automatically become God's enemies. Nobody can fight God and win, the moment God takes over the battles of your life, you can confidently go to sleep with your two eyes closed.

Are you like Shedrack, Meshach and Abednego? Have you made up your mind that no amount of threat made towards you in your place of work will make you compromise your faith? I want to congratulate you, because if you don't bow, you are not going to burn. Don't ever risk your glorious destiny in God by worshipping anything that represents Nebuchadnezzar. Your God is greater and has full control over all kings and powers. He has the power to unseat anyone making life difficult for you. I decree that everyone who wants you to bow to them at the detriment of your faith in God will be removed from their positions without prior notice in Jesus' name.

PRAYER POINT :
Father, from today, deliver me from those that are stronger than me in Jesus name.

OPEN HEAVENS BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE SATURDAY 11TH JUNE, 2016. SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS 1

OPEN HEAVENS BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
SATURDAY 11TH JUNE, 2016.

SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS 1

MEMORISE: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3

Read : 2 Timothy 2:1-7
1 THOU therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Ezra 1-3 and Ecclesiastes 5:10-20

MESSAGE
One of my sons once said 'for every new level there is a new devil'. This is very correct in the life of every believer. I always tell my children that if they are not relevant in the scheme of things, they cannot be a target to the devil. But, the moment you make up your mind to obey God, to love God and to serve Him, you become a target for the enemies, both within and without.

As a soldier of the Cross, you do not fight your battles with physical weapons because it is the nature of a battle that will determine your arsenal of weapons. As a good soldier of the Cross, you must be able to endure hardness in the race to heaven. You have to fight lawfully and follow those rules which characterise a righteous person.

There are many factors attacking the Christian faith today. We cannot just continue to be passive; there is the need to defend the Christian faith against modern and post-modern ideologies, so that we can all lay hold of eternal life. Any Christian who is timid and fearful cannot carry out the struggles of spiritual warfare.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" Ephesians 6:11.

Those who were before us were able to stand strong and give a reason for the hope they had in Christ Jesus, we cannot but do the same. Timothy as an evangelist, did not waste any opportunity, he constantly stood before men and confessed his faith in Christ.

Jesus Christ our master stood before Pontius Pilate and defended his Sonship and Kingship. One of the ways to be a good soldier of the cross is to appreciate the works of the cross and live our lives to reflect the sacrifices made by Jesus. This we can achieve when we begin to live a life of purity and godly behaviour.

We must follow the truth that has been received in Christ. The truth that set you free and gave you liberty must be passed to others, so that they can experience what you experienced. This is why our pastors need to go back to the ancient landmarks of sound apostolic teaching. There is a need for urgency on the part of the clergy to feed their flocks with the undiluted Word of life.

Hardship will come, Satan will launch all forms of attack against preaching of the gospel of Jesus, yet we must not allow these to divert our focus from our primary assignment as soldiers of the cross.

Also, don't allow the affairs of this world to make you a victim in the battles of life. As a messenger of Jesus, you must do all that is within your power to please the owner of your life and be committed to the work of the Kingdom. It is my prayer that your enemies will miss whenever they target you in Jesus' name.

ACTION POINT:
Put in the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.