Tue, 19/07/2011 - - Holiness Is Required - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Holiness Is Required

Memorise: "To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints" (1 Thess 3:13).

Read: Luke 1:74 -75 

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Rom 3:23). Sin separates man from the One who loves him most - God. Each time you sin as a believer, you lose a measure of the glory of God. And if you persist, there will be nothing left. Some Christians who were once saved are totally bereft of God's glory: no trace of that glory can be found any more. Beware of sin!

Apart from separating you from God, sin is the real culprit responsible for stagnancy, retrogression, sickness, fruitless efforts, etc. The witch or wizard disturbing you is the very sin you still wilfully engage in. As long as you obey and please God, no weapon or scheme of witches or wizards would harm you. So if you decide to live holy from today, all the good things you have lost shall be restored. Exodus 15:26 says if only you can obey the Lord, sickness will be far from you. Believe it or not, many sicknesses in a man's life can be traced to sin. If you ate what He asked you not to eat like Adam and Eve, you will be sick. If you venture where He warned you to keep off from, you will be sick. If you do what He asked you not to, you are simply inviting sickness. In addition, if you engage negative thoughts, worry and anxiety which He forbids, you can have hypertension or some other related illness. Disobedience is therefore the root cause of most ailments. Are you sick? Check yourself and see if there is an area you disobeyed the Lord. Repent and obey Him and you will observe that on rising up from bed in the morning, the sickness would have disappeared. Holiness is the key to restoration of every good thing you have lost. Have you lost anything precious as a result of disobedience? As you settle with the Lord today and begin to obey Him, every good thing you have lost will turn in your direction. They will return. This is your season of restoration. That lost joy is coming back. That means of livelihood that has been snatched shall be restored. The grace of God upon your life that has been grounded shall be revitalized. Straighten your way before the Lord and ensure you abstain from every pollution of the body and soul. Keep yourself pure!

Key Point:

God plagued the house of Abimelech because Abraham's wife was there. Do you know that God still plagues those who have abominations in their house? Medication may be ineffective against such plagues. 

Mon, 18/07/2011 - - Doctrine Of Balaam - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Monday, July 18, 2011

Doctrine Of Balaam

Memorise: "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;" (2 Peter 2:15).

Read: Numbers 25:1-9 

After commending the church at Pergamos in Revelation 2:12-17, the Lord pointed out some of their weaknesses, one of which was having among them those who held the doctrine of Balaam. In Numbers 23, while journeying to the Promised Land, the Israelites conquered several nations until they came to Moab. King Balak was afraid of them so he consulted Balaam, a prophet, to curse them. This ploy, however, failed. At some point, Balaam advised King Balak to feign friendship with the Israelites, invite them to a feast, and get the most seductive and near-nude ladies around to entice them. It worked; they fornicated with these ladies and later worshipped in their shrines. God was so angry that He killed 25,000 of them (Num 25:1-9). The lives Balak could not destroy initially were handed over to him on a platter of gold when sin intruded. Fornication and idolatry would make you lose your worth and turn you into a piece of bread for your enemies. Sin will always sell you cheap into the hands of your enemies.

When Jesus referenced the above story in His letter to the church at Pergamos, He was saying that there were people there who taught the satanic philosophy that says 'Once saved, forever saved', Meaning once you have been saved, you were free to do whatever you liked. This error was turning God's people into victims and prodding them towards God's judgement. Ironically, the bearers of this error called themselves 'The righteousness of God in Christ', and believed they could take excuse from the Lord to commit adultery, provided they returned later to ask forgiveness. Wherever you worship, be careful what you imbibe. Anyone that tells you that you are free to live as you like is ensnaring you. Anyone who lures you into lust, or fornication, and tells you it's okay is making you a victim of the doctrine of Balaam. Anyone who invites you to serve other gods is about to make you a victim of this doctrine. It does not matter whether it is a fellow minister, or member of your church. The real intention of the devil is to make you so loathsome to your Helper that He turns around to fight against you. Whenever you are being asked to violate God's Word, know that your soul is the main target.

Key Point:

When Satan cannot get to you, he will push you into offending God so that God will be the one to destroy you. Do not be unequally yoked.

Sun, 17/07/2011 - - The Word: What Direction? - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Sunday, July 17, 2011

The Word: What Direction?

Memorise: "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." (Heb 4:2).

Read: Hebrews 4:1-2 

To get your breakthrough, you can ask God for the way around the roadblocks on your path, as well as be prepared to act on God's Word even when it contradicts common sense. Another lesson from the story of the 10 lepers recorded in Luke 17:11-19 is that God's Word is enough foundation on which to build our expectations. The only reason the lepers obeyed was because Jesus asked them to. Today, many people have great expectations based on the words or promises of men. Man can disappoint you at anytime; hence, Proverbs 25:19 compares such men to a dislocated foot. Every expectation has a basis-a foundation. If the foundation is weak, the expectation will be a mirage. Do you have expectations for yourself, family, ministry or career? What is the basis for such expectations? To prevent any possible disappointment, let your expectations be founded on God's Word.

In addition, for God's Word to take the desired course in your life, it is important to know its direction and toe that line. The Lord told the lepers to go and show themselves to the priest. It was very specific. When the Word was to change Peter's night-long frustration, the Lord asked him to throw his nets at that particular time. When you identify the direction of God's prophetic utterance, never run contrary to that direction if you want it to work for you. Some people hear God but never bother to determine the direction of the Word they received. If you do not know the direction, there will be greater chances of taking the wrong steps and missing out on the blessing. God already knows where your blessing is, even before He sends His Word. If you do not follow that path, it is doubtful you will obtain your desire. Have you received a prophetic word through God's servant? Did you identify the direction and obey it? It is not enough to hear the word of prophecy. Many have heard and did nothing about it and it did not change them. Yet, others heard the same word, saw the direction and followed in faith and obedience and returned with testimonies. What is your attitude today?

Key Point:

Your ability to hear and flow in the direction of God's Word determines its effect in your life. Follow His Word diligently and faithfully.

SAT, 16/07/2011 - - Shining Through Hard Work- - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Shining Through Hard Work

Memorise: "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men" (Prov 22:29).

  

Read: Isaiah 60:1-3

  

Isaiah 60:1 says it's time to arise and shine. Anyone who is ready to shine must be ready to pay a price. There are degrees of shining. Depending on the size of each light and its make-up, light rays are beamed towards a particular location, with a specified intensity. And like battery operated torches that grow dim as the battery weakens, so also do the rays that come from the one who shines. In order to shine, you must make up your mind on the level of rays you want to release, the circumference of your glow, and how long it must be sustained. There are categories of glory. 1 Corinthians 15:41 says, "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory". Apart from paying the price, it must be commensurate with the level of glory expected. Some believers want to radiate the glory of the sun but cannot even pay the price to carry the shine of an ordinary torch. It does not work like that. You can only carry the level of glory you have paid for on your knees, in praying, fasting, sowing, evangelizing, worshipping, etc. The higher the price, the greater your shine.

Ideally, God is really the One who promotes (Psalm 75:6-7). He can choose a beggar from the dunghill and set him among the greatest (1 Sam 2:8). God has destined you for greatness and you shall be great. One thing I like doing is studying those who have gone ahead of me. I want to learn from their success, and mistakes. Proverbs 22:29 says diligence makes you wine and dine with kings. If you are lazy, you may never come close to the top. During our family devotion one morning, while discussing about Hannah and the birth of Samuel, I told my children that although Eli had already prophesied to Hannah that her request was granted and that she should go in peace, Elkanah still had to do his part by being intimate with his wife. If this was not done, Samuel would not have come. Good news is only the beginning of hard work. To what extent do you work? Do you leave what you should do undone?

Key Point:

Your spiritual altitude is determined by the price you are prepared to pay. 

FRI, 15/07/2011 - - Gathering In Summer - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Friday, July 15, 2011

Gathering In Summer

Memorise: "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame" (Prov 10:5).

Read: Genesis 41:25-36 

Besides your attitude at home, your ability to optimize your provisions marks you out as a wise fellow. Proverbs 10:5 says, "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame". It is not easy to gather during a time of lack or famine. It takes wisdom to do so. It takes wisdom to access abundance when everyone else is crying out of hunger. One Bible character who was able to gather in hard times was Isaac. "Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him" (Gen 26:12). Isaac's breakthrough did not come by chance. Abundance does not just come, it is provoked. To be able to access abundance during famine, you must be prepared to sow what others are not prepared to part with. Ordinarily, during famine, most will not want to make any investments. Their main concern would be how to generate more and safe enough food for the austerity period. It takes the fellow who is wise to plan for the future when others are thinking only of today. It is also a mark of wisdom to sow at a time nobody would want to sow. At such a time, the yield is usually above the normal. That was what Isaac did by divine wisdom and he became so prosperous in a time of famine that he was richer than a nation.

Another Bible character who applied the same principle was Joseph. In Genesis 41:25-36, after interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph advised that a fifth of the produce of the seven years of plenty be stored up to take care of the seven years of famine. But for this step, all the grains of the years of plenty would have been totally consumed or wasted. It is wisdom not to spend up all your earnings or profit. A wise person will set aside at least 20% of his or her profit for savings or future investment. Many people have nothing to fall back on in the time of emergency. That is because they lack wisdom. If you spend all you have, it means you live only for the moment. Should something come up that requires immediate financial attention, you will find yourself begging or borrowing. That is not wisdom. Apply these simple principles today and you will be among the wise.

Action Point:

Open a savings account where you will save 20% of your income for future investments or eventualities.

THU, 14/07/2011 - - Mindful Of Heaven Or Earth? - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Mindful Of Heaven Or Earth?

Memorise: "And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned."( Heb 11:15).

Read: Hebrews 11:9-10 

In John 3:31, John the Baptist said that God is above all. No wonder He is called the Most High (Psalm 91:1) and Higher than the highest (Eccl 5:8). Following this line of thought, Philippians 2:9-11 says His Name is above every other name in every plane of existence-both human and spirit. This has several implications. First, it means that God is higher than you, the General Overseer and any level of authority. Since He is higher than everyone, you can report to Him anyone who is higher than you, who is threatening or oppressing you. To this end, you can report those holding the reins of power to God. No matter how high that human mountain or hindrance is, as long as the fellow is mortal, he has a problem. As you report the one who is making life unbearable for you to the Most High God today, He shall arise on your behalf and fight for you.

1 John 2:15-17 warns us against the love of the world. While it is good for God to prosper us, it is however important to remember that the world is only a bridge. You are just passing through it to get to the other side. Never build your house on it. When God blesses you with a house, enjoy it within acceptable limits. Do not get to the point where you become so attached to it that it becomes an idol. If God says He wants to use the house, release it to Him. That is wisdom. If you refuse, remember that He can call you home and still have access to the house. Then He may say: 'Who is going to enjoy these things now?' God can separate an individual from the material things of life. He can also separate an individual from his harvest. In Luke 12:16-20, the rich fool was forcefully separated from his harvest. If you are wise, you will hold worldly things with loose hands. Why do you think patriarchs of old lived in tents and lived like strangers and pilgrims? It is for this same reason: they did not want to be so entangled with the affairs of earth to the extent of missing out of Heaven. Earth's best could never satisfy them hence, their hearts were fixed on the heavenly planet. But today, the story is different. We are so carried away by the few blessings God has given to us that we hardly even think of Heaven. Don't let Satan replace your heavenly reward with earthly ones!

Prayer Point:

Pray that believers will daily grow in Heaven consciousness. Ask God to turn around the famines affecting the nations of the world.

WED, 13/07/2011 - - Sudden Turn-around - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Sudden Turn-around

Memorise: "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream." (Ps 126:1).

Read: 2 Kings 7:1-8 

In 2 Kings 6:24-31, Samaria was besieged by the Syrian army and so they could not access fresh food supplies. When the food they had was exhausted, there was no way of bringing in more. As a result, the famine was rife to the point that the Israelites began to eat unclean animals and to practice cannibalism - eating fellow human beings. But when God decided to intervene in 2 Kings 7:1-20, nothing could stop Him.

Compared with other famines, it is obvious that there are different levels of famines. Some are more grievous than others. However, from this account, we learn that no matter how terrible a famine situation is, it can be reversed within 24 hours. A song writer says, "It's always darkest before the dawn". True. When a situation gets to unbelievable levels of severity, know that turn-around is just around the corner. Our God can turn around any famine situation. Are you going through a famine? The Lord will turn it around suddenly. You shall go to bed and by the time you awake, the famine is no more. That famine you are experiencing shall end suddenly. You will look for its signs but there will be none.

In addition, we see that the words of prophecy preceded the turn-around. This is why we should not underestimate prophetic utterances from bona fide prophets of God. Usually, God's word of prophecy goes ahead of what God intends to do. Unfortunately, when the word of prophesy that should reverse the famine of some believers is released in a church meeting, they are not there to receive it. When you miss your word of deliverance, it is most likely that you will continue in that negative situation. Do you know that for this reason, some people have repeatedly missed their turn-around, yet, they blame God for not answering their prayers. This is why you must not forsake the gathering of God's people. Furthermore, God used four lepers to terminate famine in Samaria. You can never tell who God will use to terminate that famine you are experiencing. He can use those you consider useless. Nobody is useless in God's hands. This season, the Lord will turn around your famine situation.

Prayer Point:

Thank God for adding another year to Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye. Ask for uncommon grace for uncommon success in all her assignments. 

TUE, 12/07/2011 - - Sin Still Separates - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Sin Still Separates

Memorise: "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isa 59:2).

Read: Isaiah 59:1-3 

The entrance of sin into this world negatively changed everything. Worse, it separated God and man. Until the advent of sin, fear was nonexistent. Adam was happy to welcome God whenever He visited. But after sin intruded, Adam became afraid and started to hide from God. Even today, whenever there is sin in your life, there would be something to be afraid of. Sin is the mother of fear. If you steal, you will no longer be free. If you have extra-marital affairs, you will suddenly become afraid. The purpose of fear in the life of a sinner is to torment and to incapacitate love. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18). If you toy with sin, you will live in fear. You will be afraid of that sin being uncovered. The fear of its exposure will further lead you to cover up like David, after defiling Uriah's wife. In addition, because the presence of sin erodes the sinner's protection, you will live in fear of your enemies, robbers, death, etc.; you could even fear your shadow! Are you living in fear? Trace the roots! Maybe sin is being covered somewhere.

The worst thing sin can do to you is to separate you from God. If you were enjoying a blossoming relationship with God and you entertained sin, that relationship will run into troubled waters. Separation, if not checked, can lead to eternal separation. That will not be your portion. When you are separated from God, it will affect His grace on your life. As a young believer, I was blessed with regularly hearing from God. He would tell me what routes to take to avoid serious traffic. In those days, because I was the sole interpreter to the church founder, I became proud. One day, I felt insulted when I had to interpret for one of the pastors and did it grudgingly. On my way to the car, the Lord said, "So you are now too big to interpret for my servant?" That was the last time I heard His voice for a long time. For about a month, I began to run into heavy traffic because I could no longer hear from Him. I pleaded, repented and wept, yet God was silent until I made a covenant that if I was going to offend Him again, He should take me away a day earlier. Then, He resumed speaking to me. Is there any separation between you and God? Bridge the gap today!

Prayer Point:

Every wall of partition created by sin between me and the Almighty God, Father pull it down.

MON, 11/07/2011 - - No Sealed Lips- - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Monday, July 11, 2011

No Sealed Lips

Memorise: "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Matt 10:33)

Read: Matthew 10:32-33 

If you are running from your enemies, you are making yourself their sitting target and that, brings shame to the Almighty. In spite of the heavy presence of idolatry, to the extent that the Lord Jesus described Pergamos as Satan's headquarters, the church held fast to their faith and stood strong. Is the community you are in bewitched by the powers of darkness? Do not fear! Call on the Lord to manifest His power. The truth is that wherever there is a strong satanic presence, there is by far a stronger divine presence. And God is ready to manifest His power if only you will courageously invite Him. In any case, if the early Church had run, there would have been no Christianity today. If you run today, you might delay the second coming of the Messiah.  

Moreover, the church at Pergamos was so resolute in their faith in Christ that they were prepared to die for it. To this end, Antipas was martyred, yet they held on. True believers in Christ are no cowards. They do not change their minds when it relates to their faith in Christ even in the face of persecution. In Greek, the word 'martyr' is 'matheus' which means 'to witness'. In the days of the early Church, to witness for Christ meant one's readiness to die. So only those who were ready to die witnessed Christ. And this they did, not afraid for their lives. Today, for fear of being ridiculed and called 'Mother of Jesus' or 'Religious fanatic', many keep closed lips. Even today, there are some missionaries who by virtue of their location and level of consecration are living martyrs for Christ. They are so sold out to the Lord that their lives do not count. If they can be so consecrated, at least you can witness Jesus where you reside, school or work. In Matthew 10:32-33, the Lord says one way to become popular in Heaven is by speaking to men about Him as that will make Him to reciprocate your gesture by speaking of you to the Father. The flip side is that you will toe the path of being unknown in Heaven (where all matters most). Do you want to be known and famous in Heaven? It is your choice! Choose right and lead souls to Christ on a regular basis.

Action Point:

Prayerfully lead 5 souls to Christ this week. Pray that God will arrest natural disasters across the globe and save lives and property. 

MON, 11/07/2011 - - No Sealed Lips - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Monday, July 11, 2011

No Sealed Lips

Memorise: "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Matt 10:33)

Read: Matthew 10:32-33 

If you are running from your enemies, you are making yourself their sitting target and that, brings shame to the Almighty. In spite of the heavy presence of idolatry, to the extent that the Lord Jesus described Pergamos as Satan's headquarters, the church held fast to their faith and stood strong. Is the community you are in bewitched by the powers of darkness? Do not fear! Call on the Lord to manifest His power. The truth is that wherever there is a strong satanic presence, there is by far a stronger divine presence. And God is ready to manifest His power if only you will courageously invite Him. In any case, if the early Church had run, there would have been no Christianity today. If you run today, you might delay the second coming of the Messiah.

Moreover, the church at Pergamos was so resolute in their faith in Christ that they were prepared to die for it. To this end, Antipas was martyred, yet they held on. True believers in Christ are no cowards. They do not change their minds when it relates to their faith in Christ even in the face of persecution. In Greek, the word 'martyr' is 'matheus' which means 'to witness'. In the days of the early Church, to witness for Christ meant one's readiness to die. So only those who were ready to die witnessed Christ. And this they did, not afraid for their lives. Today, for fear of being ridiculed and called 'Mother of Jesus' or 'Religious fanatic', many keep closed lips. Even today, there are some missionaries who by virtue of their location and level of consecration are living martyrs for Christ. They are so sold out to the Lord that their lives do not count. If they can be so consecrated, at least you can witness Jesus where you reside, school or work. In Matthew 10:32-33, the Lord says one way to become popular in Heaven is by speaking to men about Him as that will make Him to reciprocate your gesture by speaking of you to the Father. The flip side is that you will toe the path of being unknown in Heaven (where all matters most). Do you want to be known and famous in Heaven? It is your choice! Choose right and lead souls to Christ on a regular basis.

Action Point:

Prayerfully lead 5 souls to Christ this week. Pray that God will arrest natural disasters across the globe and save lives and property.