MON, 31/10/2011 - - IDENTIFIED BY FRUITS - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Monday, October 31, 2011

IDENTIFIED BY FRUITS

Memorise: "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." (Matt 7:18).

  

Read: Matthew 7:15-20 

  

Good works are a manifestation of the anointing of God. If you are truly anointed of God, it will show in the frequency of good deeds emanating from you. If Matthew 5:14-16 is anything to go by, it gives us a veritable link between three variables: the shine of a believer, his or her good works, and glorifying the Father. Anything you do that compels men to offer true praise to God is a good work. As long as it is done by a believer in Christ, with the right motives, and in obedience to God's instructions, it will elicit Heaven's reward. A true mark of a disciple of Christ is the desire for God to be glorified in all his or her deeds, speech or conduct. Your life is supposed to point people to your Father. Can they see Christ in you?

It is possible to identify a believer by his or her conduct. A little child ran home in excitement one Sunday morning telling the mother that he has seen Jesus. "How do you know its Jesus you saw?" the mother asked. "He saw my loosed shoes, bent down and laced them for me", he replied. "OK, can you describe him for me?" she asked. By the time he was through, it was obvious that it was their pastor. Do you have time to knot the tie, wipe the sweat or take off the sand on your children? Little things like that could make great impressions on the minds of these little ones. And adults too! I once travelled to America; as soon as I arrived at the airport, I was conveyed to the church where I was to preach. I kept going from one place to another such that I could not rest except on board a plane. As I took my seat on board the plane, I found myself sitting next to an old woman who had never travelled by air. Since I knew starting a conversation with an old woman would cost me my rest, I decided not to say a word. When she greeted me, I smiled without a word. When we were asked to place our luggage in the upper-compartment, she did not understand what to do, so I helped her. When they announced that we should fasten our belts, she was also at a loss, so I helped her. She thanked me and I smiled. When it was time to eat, she did not know how to release her table from the back of the seat in front of her, so I helped her. She thanked me and I smiled. Before we landed, I assisted her again and then she said, "You must be a pastor". I said "Yes, ma" and she screamed, "I knew it". Can you be identified as a believer without saying a word?

Prayer Point:

Pray that believers in your nation will bear fruits of righteousness that will make unbelievers identify them as the lights of the world. 

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SUN, 30/10/2011 - - UNITE AGAINST THREATS - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Sunday, October 30, 2011

UNITE AGAINST THREATS

Memorise: "And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:" (Acts 4:24).

  

Read: Acts 4:21-31 

  

From the story of Gideon recorded in Judges 7, we see how unity can give victory in the time of war. If you and a selected few can be united in the battles against your lives, you will have victory. Unity is so powerful that it can deliver from death. By the hands of Haman, who was the second in command over the kingdom of King Ahasuerus, there was a plot to massacre all the Jews under the realm. The plot was strong and money was used as motivation. It took unity of purpose in fasting, prayer and self-defence by Queen Esther, her maids, and all the Jews in Shushan, for their lives to be spared. In a letter, they were asked to unite, resist their enemies and fight. "Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey," (Esther 8:11). Is your life, family, community or nation under threat? With prayers, fasting and the presenting of a united front, your lives would be spared.

In the days of the Early Church, the disciples faced serious threats. A time of threat is not a time to be divided or to go it alone. It is a time to settle your differences and unite to prayerfully overcome the opposition. In Acts 4:21-37 after being threatened, the disciples lifted up their voices to God in one accord (verse 24). They were united. As many as they were, when they cried to God, it was like God heard one voice. Unity unifies the voices of the united. How God loves to hear a church speak with one voice! What was the result of their prayer? Instead of being silenced or becoming irrelevant, a revival broke out which their opposers could not withstand and all the disciples were filled with supernatural boldness. There is a difference between the courage that comes from the Spirit and the one from the flesh. Peter had the one from the flesh, yet he could not affirm Christ before a house maid. The boldness that comes from the Spirit through united prayer is, however, unstoppable. If challenged, it is capable of unpredictable divine power and performance. From today, handle your threats the united way.

Key Point:

Unity is a way around human threats! If family units can unite against whatever is threatening their joy or existence, they will be victorious. 

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SAT, 29/10/2011 - - KEEPING DEATH AT BAY - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Saturday, October 29, 2011

KEEPING DEATH AT BAY

Memorise: "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Rev 1:18).

  

Read: Isaiah 38:1-5 

  

The Creator of death is greater than death, for he created it. As a result, the one to be feared is the Creator and not death itself. Many people have strayed from the narrow path because of the fear of death. For instance, in the time of sickness, when medication and prayers do not bring healing, the fear of death makes some people to yield to satanic alternatives. Yet, in spite of the sacrifices and covenants they enter into with the devil, they still die, ending up in the hands of the enemy. When this happens, they spend their eternity in hell. Now, is it not better to die in that sickness with your faith intact? If you are sick and do not get healed, know that any offer of healing from elsewhere is not worth it. There is no sickness God cannot heal. So, if He says you should come home as a result of that sickness, no devil can heal you. Fight to keep your faith no matter what. The three Hebrew children had this understanding. No wonder when facing Nebuchadnezzar's furnace, they told him that their God could deliver them. And that even if He chooses to let them in the fire, they will retain their faith. Are you denying the Lord through an act of compromise?

Moreover, the Lord Jesus, the Controller of death, can keep death away from you. Is death targeting you? The Lord will keep it from you. In Isaiah 38:1-5, when King Hezekiah's appointment with death came, he cried out to God and the Lord asked death to keep a distance of 15 years from him. Is death so close to you? The Lord shall keep it several years away from you in Jesus name. You shall not die before your time. And like King Hezekiah, when your appointed time comes, you can ask for an extension and it shall be granted. However, you must be born-again. You must have a blossoming relationship with God. You must obey His Word and serve Him with all you have. Above all, you must fear Him and Him alone. No death will come near you when the Controller of death is inside of you. Whenever death comes near you, it will see you carrying His Controller and Creator and will keep off.

Prayer Point:

Every spirit of death sent against me, my family and members of our church keep off and return to sender. 

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FRI, 28/10/2011 - - GOD'S SPOKESPERSON - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Friday, October 28th, 2011

GOD'S SPOKESPERSON

Memorise: "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:10).

  

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 

  

John 1:1 says Jesus existed before the beginning, and was with God and was God Himself. What does the phrase "And the Word was with God" mean? It means that because Jesus and the Father have been together even before the beginning of the creation, they have the same knowledge. Hence, in Matthew 11:27, Jesus says, "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him". Whatever God knows, Jesus also knows. If you desire to access what God knows, draw nearer to Jesus Christ. You can be close to Jesus Christ through His Word. When there is closeness between you and the Lord, He will be able to confide in you and share so many divine secrets with you.

Another way of accessing God's secrets is by being baptized in the Holy Spirit. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are one (1 John 5:7). Whenever there is a meeting of the Godhead, the three of them would be present. God the Father could reveal something to you through direct revelation, while God the Son could tell you through the Word or God the Holy Spirit could unveil it by speaking to you because He is the custodian of all of God's secrets (1 Cor 2:9-11). And presently, the Holy Spirit is the PRO of the Godhead. Most times when God speaks, it is voiced out by the Holy Spirit. When you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, you are at the threshold of the supernatural.

Unfortunately, many stop at that and never realize their spiritual potentials. But those who decide to walk with the Holy Spirit see themselves operating in the spiritual realm as an active player. Divine secrets are revealed to them. Events capable of affecting them, their loved ones and even those afar off are shared with them by the Holy Spirit. You can become an active player in the spiritual realm by cultivating a healthy relationship with the Holy Spirit. If you are not born again: Give your life to Christ, feed on God's Word and ask God for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Fellowship daily and regularly with Him by praying in the Spirit, noting His commands, obeying them promptly and not grieving Him. Worship Him and hide God's Word in your heart. As you take these steps, you will enjoy a cordial relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer Point:

Holy Spirit, help me to cultivate a good working relationship with you.

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THU, 27/10/2011 - - ROCK OF OFFENCE - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Thursday, October 27, 2011

ROCK OF OFFENCE

Memorise: "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Rom 9:33).

  

Read: Isaiah 8:13-17 

  

Apart from being called the Rock of our strength and the Rock of our salvation, our Lord Jesus is also called the Rock of offence. Romans 9:33 says, "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed". The implication of Christ being the Rock of offence should call for sober reflections. First, as a Rock of offence, He is a stumbling-block-a hindrance or setback to some people. This is frightening! Believers who fail to follow the Lord with all their hearts, or who take Him for granted and continue to violate His laws, will soon see that the Rock that should protect them, will begin to cause them to fall. In Isaiah 8:13-17, because the children of Israel refused to fear and obey God, He became a stumbling stone and a Rock of offence to them. He hid His face from them and many stumbled, fell and were broken. Some believers today are encountering difficulties not caused by the devil but by the Rock of offence. One way to know if your challenges are as a result of annoying the Rock of offence is if your challenges defy prayer and fasting. Also, God's face will be turned away from you. It is like no matter what you do, you cannot hear his voice. If this is your situation, go to God in repentance. Trace the cause of the stalemate and obey God on all pending issues.

Another implication of Jesus Christ as the Rock of offence is that He will be your stability, and make sure that no matter the boisterous wind, fire, storm or flood you go through, you will not be moved. Whatever happens, the Rock of offence is there to absorb your shame. What are your enemies planning against you? Fear not! You shall not be ashamed because the Rock of offence is there to absorb the shame projected against you. It also means that those who are fighting against you will soon realize they are fighting against the Rock of offence. They will lose their legs. Hence, Jesus told Saul, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.' (Acts 9:5). He did not want that to happen, so he too became a convert. In the name of Jesus, all your persecutors will become your converts.

Prayer Point:

Lord Jesus, be my Rock of offence and bring stability into my life.

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WED, 26/10/2011 - - YOUR VOICE SHALL BE HEARD - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

YOUR VOICE SHALL BE HEARD

Memorise: "As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me." (Psalm 18:44).

 

Read: Psalm 18:43-45 

  

When Bartimaeus was steps away from his breakthrough, the crowd around him shouted him down. But by the grace of God, he doubled his efforts and cried out the more. He simply told the crowd: 'If you think you have heard noise, you have not heard anything yet'. The reality is that if you need help and send a faint cry in the midst of a crowd, they will want to shut you up. But if your cry is unparalleled, defying the voices of the opposition, there would be a general consensus by the crowd for you to be attended to, at least so that they can have their peace. This season, by the mercy of God, there will be a meeting of the crowd hindering your blessing and their consensus would be that you receive immediate attention.

Another lesson from this story is that while people like to hear their own voices, they do not want others to be heard. They can tolerate their own voices but are intolerant of others. It is therefore the mercy of God that causes your voice to be heard even over that of your oppressors. If Bartimaeus' voice could be heard, your voice shall be heard. Has oppression caused you to lose your voice? The mercy of God will restore it to you today. Moreover, it is the mercy of God that compels your enemies who never wanted to hear your voice, to pay attention to you. All those who refused to hear your voice shall hear it from today. In your family, where you had no say on crucial issues, from today, your voice is restored. Your voice shall be heard. In those quarters where you cringed in fear, shame and timidity, you shall stand boldly and speak up. Are you a child of destiny? Then nobody can shut you up. Whatever has shut up your mouth is destroyed today in Jesus name. Your tongue is loosed from today! Do you know even at death, your voice can still be heard? After Abel was murdered, his blood spoke. After Dorcas died, her good works spoke and brought her back to life. What good works have you done that can speak for you today? For your voice to be heard in this world, God needs to hear your voice every morning and evening (Psalm 55:19) and let your good works speak for you. Every stranger shall submit to you, in Jesus mighty name.

Prayer Point:

Father, from today, let my voice be heard!

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TUE, 25/10/2011 - - WHAT TESTIMONIAL? - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

WHAT TESTIMONIAL?

Memorise: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt 5:16).

  

Read: Matthew 15:13-16 

  

Just as men assess fellow men and issue out a report of their assessment, so also does God. A testimonial is an official statement that describes an individual's abilities, qualities and character. This could be written by one's former employer or head of an academic institution where the individual was a student. Sometimes, an applicant for a job could get employment on the strength of his testimonial rather than his certificate.

Sometimes, a testimonial may be written in coded language so that the real message is shielded from the person it is written about, but known only to the one to whom it is addressed - such as an employer. This could be dangerous as any potential harm borne in the testimonial is completely hid from the holder. Recently, I stumbled on the testimonial that was issued to me from Ilesha Grammar School in 1960 while searching for documents I needed to apply for a visa. In it, my principal wrote that I was 'cool, calm and collected'. That appeared to be more of a prophesy because to the best of my knowledge, I was anything but what was written of me then.

Today's reading can be considered as the code of our testimonial. The challenge here is for us to live better, healthier and more God-glorifying lives. According to John 1:11-12, the first testimony you are expected to have is that you are a child of God. Whatever is said about you is your recommendation to the world. In those days, when employers were considering some members of the church for sensitive positions, they would come to see the late founder of the church for his recommendation about the applicants. As was his custom, my father-in-the-Lord would describe the applicant either as just a 'Christian' or as a child of God. If you were saved and living right, your testimonial would be that you are a child of God, while a 'Christian' was one whose faith did not go beyond mouth confession. Today, it is so difficult to describe the conduct of believers as a result of their double life styles. If your testimonial is to give you access to a higher spiritual or secular position today, what would be written of you? Would it be that you are just a 'Christian' or a child of God?

Prayer Point:

Father, grant me the grace to be a living witness of the Christian faith.

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MON, 24/10/2011 - - LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Monday, October 24, 2011

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

Memorise: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt 5:16).

Read: Matthew 5:14-16 

According to Acts 10:38, it takes the one who is anointed to do good works. If you perform miracles but your character is questionable, you need to trace the source of that anointing. If you heal the sick and raise the dead, but still live like the devil, your anointing is obviously not from God. If you perform no miracle but exude the fruit of the Spirit, you are heading for Heaven, and God will be proud of you. If you operate under a so-called anointing and miracles are taking place while you are living in lies, deceit, fornication and lust, immediately run to the Cross to be born-again. Any anointing that cannot take you to Heaven is useless and unnecessary. Any anointing that continues to operate while the vessel is still in sin must be avoided.

If you are the light of the world, it will show in your conduct. It will show in your behaviour. It will show in the way you relate with your fellow human beings. It is not enough to preach; many preach but their conduct negates their message. Your life is saying something to those around you. What is the message your conduct is sending out? Many years ago, one of our pastors in Ilesa took up the challenge of daily cleaning up the pit latrine that no co-tenant wanted to touch. When this pastor was eventually transferred from the local church, his co-tenants wept. Like they say, actions speak louder than words. By your good works, you can show to people that you serve the living God. Come down from your lofty place! Some people are so proud and unreachable. They look down on virtually everyone. If you claim to be a believer and look down on unbelievers, how can they ever see Christ in you? Pride is satanic! As long as you remain proud, it is Satan you are showing to those around you.

Key Point:

If your character is not pointing others to Christ, you are probably emitting a negative ray. Shine for God in all you do.

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FRI, 21/10/2011 - - REPLAYING OLD TRICKS - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Friday, October 21, 2011

REPLAYING OLD TRICKS

Memorise: "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (1 Cor 9:25).

  

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 

  

In Revelation 2:18-29, God spoke angrily about Jezebel. Why? She used three powerful weapons against the children of God, namely: food, sex and money. These are still part of Satan's tools today. The reason some people refuse to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour is because of what they will eat. Some people love beer, alcohol, and cigarette so much that they prefer to ignore Christ in order to continue such sinful and unhealthy habits. Even for some who have received Christ, the reason they cannot serve God, pray at night and fast is because they worship their stomach. They do everything possible to avoid hunger. Whenever they feel the slightest hunger pang, they grab food. They have forgotten that 1 Corinthians 6:13 says both the belly and food will perish some day. If the reason you cannot pray at night is because of eating heavy food late or over eating, you are still a victim of Satan's old trick. If you have truly decided to follow Christ, it will show in what, how and where you eat.

Another old trick of the devil that Jezebel used was sex. Ordinarily, sex is good as long as it is practised within the context of marriage, and meets with standards of decency. But rather than wait for the right time, many youths have become victims of premarital sex. Apart from this, there is so much abuse of the gift of sex that today men sleep with men, women with women, man or woman with animals, etc. Even between married couples, abuses such as oral sex, anal sex, masturbation, pornography are rife. If you have become a victim of these, run to Jesus for deliverance today as you are in great danger.

In addition, Jezebel used the old satanic tool of money. Everyone wants to be wealthy. If you have tasted poverty, you would almost do anything to avoid it. The devil knows this; hence, he offers people several get-rich-quick schemes which end up engulfing the recipient in hell. Are you already accepting Satan's offer of wealth? Turn it down now or else you will pay with your life and still burn in hell. One common feature in all three-food, sex and money-is that there is need for lots of self-control or restraint. If you will not fall a victim of any of these satanic booby traps, you must develop the fruit of the Spirit called self-control or temperance.

Key point:

Self-control is another indicator of Christian maturity. Ask God for grace to be temperate in all things. 

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Thu, 20/10/2011 - - ROCK OF SALVATION - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Thursday, October 20, 2011

ROCK OF SALVATION

Memorise: "He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved." (Psalm 62:2).

  

Read: Psalm 62:2-7 

  

Jesus Christ is not only the Rock of our strength, but also the Rock of our salvation. One person who experienced Him in this capacity was David. In Psalm 62:2, He says, "He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved". One implication of being the Rock of our salvation is that there is no way any man or woman on earth can be saved from the problem of sin, except he or she receives Jesus Christ as Saviour (Acts 4:12). If you want to be spiritually salvaged but you are yet to receive Christ, you are still miles away from your source of salvation. The answer is either Christ or nothing! Similarly, His scope of salvation goes beyond the spiritual plane. There is no type of danger you may find yourself that the Rock of salvation cannot rescue you from as a child of God. No wonder Hebrews 7:25 says, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them". What is that situation that you need to be delivered from? Call upon the Rock of our Salvation and He will deliver you even from unseen and hidden forces.

Jesus as Rock of our salvation is the One who can assure you of salvation. When He saves you, you can go to sleep. You are saved. If the Lord has saved you but the devil brings doubt, ignore the fears and doubts and hold on to the Word of the Rock of our salvation. He is the only One who can tell who is saved and who is not. Are you a religionist or churchgoer whose leader has assured will get into Heaven by merely doing good, alms-giving and being kind? Well, you have been deceived! Without accepting Jesus Christ, you will end up in the very same hell that leader is headed. Run to Jesus today, confess your sins, forsake them and invite Jesus into your heart. Do not return to your evil ways. Join a Gospel or Bible-believing church and start attending the young converts class there and it shall be well with you. In any way you need the touch of the Rock of salvation, He will visit you today.

Prayer Point:

Pray for members of your extended family that the Rock of salvation should totally deliver them from sin, Satan, self and every evil. 

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