SAT 03/12/2011 - - GOD CALLS UP - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Saturday, December 3, 2011

GOD CALLS UP

Memorise: "And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him" (Mark 3:13).

  

Read: Mark 3:13-15 

  

There are all kinds of calls in the world today. In God's Kingdom, a call is actually an unquantifiable offer, the beginning of which you will know but may never tell where it will take you precisely. However, we need to know the nature of God's call. The first is that God's call is a call to uplifting. Since He is up, when He calls you, it is upwards. According to 1 Samuel 2:8, God can call you from nothing to something. He can call a beggar from scavenging in the dunghill to feasting with kings. Similarly, He can call ordinary fishermen to keep company with the King of kings (Mark 1:16-18). Whatever happens, God's call moves you up.

Sometime ago, one of my pastors told me that God called him into full time service. Then, he was gainfully employed in an oil company where he was paid in dollars. What he earned in a month exceeded what an Assistant General Overseer would earn in a year. He had difficulty responding to the call. So I simply told him God was calling him from sugar to honey. Recently, he told me, "What you told me then, I found it difficult to understand, but now I know". Has God called you? Fear not! Accept God's call because it is a call that will uplift you.

God also calls unto separation. If He calls you, He expects you to separate from others in order to fulfil the call. The disciples He called up the hill in today's reading never returned to what they used to be. Their call moved them from being disciples to apostles. Figuratively, they remained on the mountain top. When Abraham got God's call, he was asked to separate himself from his country, kindred and his father's house (Gen 12:1-3). In 1 Kings 19:19-21, after Elisha's call, he killed his farm animals and burnt the tools. When God calls you, you may be required to do away with certain legitimate things and activities in order to make good your calling. If God has called you, you can no longer do what everybody else does. For instance, a church member may be embroiled in fisticuffs but certainly not a minister of God. In what ways are you keeping to the terms of reference of your calling?

Prayer Point:

God's call is a higher call. Thank God for previous Holy Ghost Congresses. Ask for divine protection for all attendees during this year's Congress. 

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FRI, 02/12/2011 - - WRONG MEASURES, FALSE RESULTS - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Friday, December 2, 2011

WRONG MEASURES, FALSE RESULTS

Memorise: "For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." (2 Cor 10:18).

  

Read: 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 

  

After Jesus introduced Himself in His letter to the church in Sardis, He said they were reputed for being alive whereas they were dead. Yet, these were a part of the Body of Christ. Is it possible to be dead and not know it? From scriptural evidence, it is possible. The first thing to note here is that the church in Sardis employed wrong yardsticks for determining who was spiritually alive and who was not. Anytime wrong measures are used in assessing performance, the results will always be deceptive. Today, there are church leaders who engage in so much of fanfare to create an impression that they are 'alive'. Spiritual activity does not necessarily make you alive. There are many who are so full of spiritual activities but they are so carnal and close to hell. It is the height of deception to equate activity with spirituality. Some activities feed the flesh but starve the soul. This is why leaders must not plan programmes just for the fun of it, but to achieve spiritual uplift in members. Any church programme that does not add spiritual benefits to the congregation is simply a jamboree. What is the spiritual content of the programmes you are planning? If that choir vigil is all about talking, socializing and laughing, without spiritual content, do not be surprised to hear that some who attended fornicated that night.

The error of the church in Sardis is still with us today. They wanted to be seen to belong. When you want to belong, your focus shifts from Christ to man. You will do anything just to get the attention or praise of men. Anything you do to impress men rebuffs the Lord. The approval of man does not necessarily mean God has also approved. Who do you really want to impress? Who are you trying to impress by inflating attendance figures and lying about your performance? The church at Sardis met the requirements of men and was rated as a lively church, but the Owner of the church could not find any atom of spiritual life in it. Large churches easily fall into this deception. The size of your church does not make you better than smaller churches. In fact, it is easier to receive greater spiritual life from smaller churches than the 'happening' larger churches. What are the parameters for evaluating your performance? Are you God-focused or men-focused?

Prayer Point:

Ask God for wisdom to not be self-deluded, but that you will see yourself the way God sees you. Go before God in humility and sincerity. 

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THU 01/12/2011 - - HOPE AND FAITHFULNESS - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Thursday, December 1, 2011

HOPE AND FAITHFULNESS

Memorise: "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Titus 1:2).

  

Read: Deuteronomy 7:9-11 

  

Hope links with the future. Moreover, there is a link between hope and God because He is the One who controls tomorrow. Anyone in charge of tomorrow is definitely able to uphold hope. Revelation 1:8 says, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty". Hope is linked with tomorrow and God is the One who holds tomorrow. Do not let any man deceive you: no man holds tomorrow except God. This is why James warns against boasting about tomorrow while acknowledging that we need God-the One in control of tomorrow-to enter into the tomorrow of our dreams (James 4:13-16). Many who bragged about tomorrow never lived to see it. If you are wise, you will not only acknowledge God but ensure you live in consonance with His dictates.

Another way God is linked with hope is through His faithfulness. Deuteronomy 7:9 says, "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations,". God is extremely faithful. The quality of His faithfulness in keeping promises and agreements is unparalleled. There are some people around us who make simple promises that they can easily fulfil yet, they fail to fulfil them because they lack faithfulness. Putting all your hope in an unfaithful man can lead to great embarrassment and loss when the fellow suddenly disappoints you at a crucial time. God cannot disappoint you. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" The day God promises and He fails to perform, He becomes a liar. Lying demotes God from being God to being a mere mortal. When He was about to redeem man, He became a man. However, He is not ready to be brought to the level of a man by being unfaithful. In addition, He not only keeps covenants but He is the greatest covenant keeper as He can fulfil His promise to an individual or a family for up to a thousand generations! What a wonderful God!

Key Point:

God's faithfulness is never in doubt. The issue is how trusting are we? 

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MON 14/11/2011 - - TONE OF GOD'S VOICE - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Monday, November 14th, 2011

TONE OF GOD'S VOICE

Memorise: "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." (Prov 29:1)

  

Read: Matthew 11:28-30 

  

God has several tones of speaking depending on several factors. First, He could plead with an individual or nation. In Ezekiel 18:31-32, God asks: 'Sinners, why will you die?' Here, He is begging sinners to repent. Are you still living in sin? The Lord is begging you to quit today. In Proverbs 1:22, He asks: How long will you simple ones love simplicity? In other words, how long will you stupid fellows continue in stupidity? Secondly, He could advice. For instance, in Deuteronomy 30:19, He gives a piece of advice for you to choose life and live, out of two options. He is the best person to give you advice because He is the Wonderful Counsellor (Isaiah 9:6). Have you accepted His advice? Going by Matthew 11:28-30, another tone of God could be invitational. He invites you to come and reason with Him (Isaiah 1:18). The day you will heed His invitation and take your burdens to the Lord, you will become a free person. Are you still carrying your load of care all by your limited strength or resources?

God's tone could also come in form of an encouragement. In Isaiah 1:19, He tries to motivate you to be willing and obedient so that you can access the best planet earth has to offer you. Similarly, in Proverbs 1:23, God encourages you to take correction so that He can release His Spirit upon you, and reveal His Word to you. Are you ready to be corrected? In addition, another mood of God's voice could be a warning. God likes to warn people before judging them. In Isaiah 1:20, He warns that destruction awaits those who reject His Word. Similarly, in Proverbs 29:1, He warns that continuous stubbornness can attract irredeemable destruction. Has God been warning you of certain sins yet, you continue? Repent today before your time of grace runs out! Moreover, when God has warned but the fellow continues to pay deaf ears, then God can use a declarative tone according to Proverbs 1:24-31. Also, in Hosea 4:17, God said Ephraim should be left alone with his idols. May God not leave you to your self will! In Hosea 5:9, God said Ephraim shall be desolate. This was no longer a warning but a declaration. God can also speak with a tone of command. In Genesis 1:3, He commanded that there should be light. In Matthew 28:19, God commands that believers should go and preach the Gospel. Have you obeyed His command?

Action Point:

When you hear His voice, determine the direction of His tone and comply immediately. 

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SUN 13/11/2011 - - DIVISIONS NOT ALLOWED - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Sunday, November 13, 2011

DIVISIONS NOT ALLOWED

Memorise: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Cor 1:10).

  

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 

  

If there will be unity in a family, church or a group of people, the role of the leader cannot be over emphasized. A leader should be the unifying force over those he or she leads. In this regard, the leader should ensure his subordinates' opposing or dissenting views are harmonized in a way as to carry all of them along their common objective for being together in the first place. Unfortunately, some leaders deliberately encourage divisions, by sowing seeds of discord and turning one subordinate against the other. They call it divide and rule 'strategy'. That is satanic! Some leaders encourage or provide the platform for subordinates to create camps. Not Jesus! As long as Jesus was physically present, He was the rallying point of unity for all His disciples. One day, two brothers - James and John brought their mother to lobby Jesus, so that they would secure the highest positions in Heaven, right beside the Lord Himself (Matt 20:20-24). When the other disciples heard of it, they were very angry! That move could have broken the twelve into separate camps. But the Lord handled it with wisdom and they remained united without killing the desire of the Zebedees to attain heavenly greatness.

It is very challenging to unite people with diverse backgrounds, goals, interests and understanding. However, it is very easy to cause division. One hallmark of a true leader is that he or she is not easily carried away by comments or selfish actions of the team he or she is leading, as the group goal is uppermost in his or her heart. Another person who could not stand God's church being broken into camps was Paul. In His days, converts began to break into at least four different camps right in the church at Corinth but with wisdom, Paul resolved this and unified Christ's church. Are you instrumental to the division of God's church? You are calling for God's judgement. Repent and restitute. Go and meet the people you sowed those seeds of discord into and compel them to reverse their rebellious acts. This will be good evidence of your repentance.

Key Point:

A body that is dismembered cannot operate as a whole. A part of the body can never be the whole. Division limits us. Strive for peace and unity 

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SAT 12/11/2011 - - HOSPITALITY - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Saturday, November 12, 2011

HOSPITALITY

Memorise: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Heb 13:2).

  

Read: Hebrews 13:1-2 

  

Another lesson from the story in 1 Kings 17:17-24 is that God rewards the hospitable. The woman who lost her son was a hospitable person. One benefit of hospitality is that hospitable people may not suffer a permanent loss. An example here was Abraham. In Genesis 18:1-14, Abraham received heavenly visitors and pending promises of many years were fulfilled. Another example was Lot. In Genesis 19:1-22, when he received the angels who came in the form of men, he made them a feast. Through his hospitality, he delivered himself and his immediate family from the fire that fell from Heaven on Sodom. Similarly, Cornelius was hospitable and through this, he and his family were saved.

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb 13:2). God wants His children to be hospitable. The hospitable have a way of attracting divine visitors such as God, angels or even men of God that can command God's blessings on them. Hospitable people are generous. They do not have to necessarily have all the money in the world. The little they have is presented with love and with all their heart. They strive to make their guests comfortable. They are prepared to sacrifice for the maximum comfort of their guests. The way they receive the guests will make them want to come back. They would prepare the best meals and present it in a most attractive and healthy way. Where they can, they would do everything to spoil their guests. They would make sure the visitor's room is swept, cleaned and dusted. The bed is well dressed and inviting. They will wait on their guests through out their stay. Where they cannot drive them to, they would arrange the cab that would convey them there. Hospitable people are homely and humble. How hospitable are you? Some people do everything just to scare visitors from coming to pay them visits. Are you hospitable? Hospitality should be taught to all your children. It is one of the healthy family values that Christian families must imbibe. How do you receive your pastors and ministers? How do you receive unbelievers in your home? The truth is, through hospitality, the Gospel message can be preached non-verbally and souls of visitors can be won.

Key Point:

If your hospitality cannot attract your visitors to Christ, you are probably not doing it right. Always be prepared to make your guests, even unexpected guests comfortable. 

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FRI 11/11/2011 - - ALWAYS A REMNANT - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Friday, November 11, 2011

ALWAYS A REMNANT

Memorise: "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:18)

  

Read: 1 Kings 19:13-18 

  

The letter the Lord wrote to the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6 was a very sad one. Unlike the previous letters, there was barely anything good to say about them, except that there were a few who did not defile themselves. One lesson here is that the Lord Jesus is the most objective person you can think of. He calls a spade a spade, not an axe. If there is nothing good about you, He will say it with love to provoke you to do something about it. Church leaders, unlike Jesus have become so subjective. When an incident occurs, many ministers will do all they can to avoid calling it exactly what it is. This could be due to fear, favouritism, or tribal sentiments. One virtue that should distinguish you as a man or woman of God is your commitment to truth. If you cannot tell the truth at all times, irrespective of who is affected, you are a disgrace to the Christian Community. Do you take sides when judging a matter? How impartial is your judgement? Remember, Jesus says it is the way you judge, you will be judged yourself. If you denied someone justice, expect that you will be denied justice where it matters most. Be like Jesus - The Truth.

This passage also reminds us that no matter how polluted a people are, there is always a faithful remnant. They may be one, two or just a few; yet, there are those who will always strive to meet the Master's standards. This is why you must not allow anyone to deceive you. If people generally tell you that holiness is impossible, leave them alone. Look for the remnant few who believe God's Word completely. In Sardis, there was a remnant few. At a time the Israeli captives taken to Babylon compromised their faith and joined with the rest of Babylon to bow down to the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar, the remnant three stood for the God of Israel (Dan 3). At a time the nation of Israel backslid and began to worship idols during the days of Jezebel, there was a faithful remnant - Elijah and the 7000. In your generation, there is a remnant of God-fearing, heaven-bound saints. You have a choice to either be part of those who shall be saved, or the crowd that will be damned. Make your choice today!

Prayer Point:

Father, let me be a part of Your faithful remnant.

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THU 10/11/2011 - - MOVE ON - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Thursday, November 10, 2011

MOVE ON

Memorise: "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light" (Eph 5:14)

  

Read: Psalm 1:1-3 

  

When the prodigal son resolved to leave the pigs and return to his father in Luke 15:18, he was simply stepping out of the congregation of the dead. Ephesians 5:14 says, "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light". Some people are not dead but asleep. It is dangerous to stay beside those who are asleep because they fail to recognize danger signs or observe what is going on around them; hence the above scripture compares them with the dead. When you fail to flow with what the Spirit is telling His church at a particular time, you are asleep. When your defences are down and you live like there is no enemy or danger in sight, you are sleeping. Do not keep company with those who are spiritually backward. Do you know some people are yet to receive the light of the Gospel that has shone on certain dark areas in the sixties and seventies? For instance, if you belong to the group of people who believe that financial or material poverty is a necessary condition to making it to Heaven, you are sleeping, probably spiritually dead. It is like somebody clinging tenaciously to the type writer with all its limitations in the age of computers and the internet. Stop limiting yourself! Jesus did not just say 'pray', He first said 'watch'. If you cannot watch, your prayers could be misguided. It takes one who is awake to watch and pray.

On the other hand, some are not sleeping but sitting. They are sitting with scorners, gossipers and those of critical spirit. Don't sit with such an evil crowd. Some are standing. As good as this may be, do not be kept on the same spot. Others are walking. That is some measure of progress but not enough because the King's business requires haste. The Lord is in a hurry, are you? There are those who are running. Even this is limited. Why run when you can fly? Why fly low when you can soar to the greatest heights? Never be satisfied with your position. Continue to press forward until you leave the earth.

Action Point:

Break off from everything tying you to the same spot today.

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WED 9/11/2011 - - SUBMITTING TO SUPERIORS - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

SUBMITTING TO SUPERIORS

Memorise: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God" (Rom 13:1)

  

Read: Romans 13:1-7 

  

When Heaven's verdict was being pronounced on King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:15-16, it was stated that although the tree stump would be left, however, seven times would pass over him. This means while serving his punishment for seven years, God will not forget him. He may even get a parole afterwards. This act of God's mercy tells us that God never forgets the punished. Are you undergoing discipline and feel the whole world has turned against you and you feel like returning to the world? Don't! God has not forgotten you. Patiently endure that chastisement of the Lord because it is for your good. Afterwards, you will still have reasons to thank Him for that punitive action. Nebuchadnezzar was ignored for seven years! It is better to die than to be ignored by the One whose presence is needed each second. May you never be ignored by God.

Moreover, every divine judgement has a purpose. In King Nebuchadnezzar's case it was ".... that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men". If you are born again, then you are part of the living. In that position you are today, give God praise and be content. According to Daniel 4:17 and Romans 13:1-7, whoever becomes your boss or superior must be accepted even if such got there through questionable means. The fact is that, such a person could not have gotten there without God allowing it. Hence, if you rebel against your boss, you may indirectly be rebelling against God. Psalm 115:3 says God cannot be queried. God is free to do whatever He likes with any of us. Yet he is a wonderful friend but a dangerous enemy. Do all you can to keep Him your friend!

Action Point:

Do you find it difficult to submit to your superiors especially if they used to be your subordinates? Ask God for grace. 

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TUE 8/11/2011 - - PARTAKING IN REVIVAL - - OPEN HEAVENS - - KINGDOM 28

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

PARTAKING IN REVIVAL

Memorise: "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:5).

  

Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 

  

We are at the threshold of the biggest revival in the history of the world. The world requires fire to jolt it out of complacency in order to appreciate God's move. Without signs and wonders, most unbelievers will refuse to believe. The faith of Christ is one that is backed up with power but if this essential ingredient is missing, it becomes an empty, unprofitable faith. Without the presence of fire, Christianity will not be different from the world's religions. When God started His dealings with the Israelites, fire played a key role. Even as the relationship between them progressed, the fire increased. But at some point, human wisdom suggested that they dropped the fire ingredient. From that time, power eluded them and their relationship with God became a form of religion that contained traditions, rules and laws.

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:5). The coming of the Lord Jesus restored fire to the nation. Shortly before He ascended, Jesus promised His disciples a baptism of fire which took place on the day of Pentecost. At the upper room, literal fire was seen on the heads of the 120 believers. As the church grew, the fire waxed hotter and the revival progressed. The Acts of the Apostles is a record of the fire of the Early Church. How is it with us today? Methods, scientific gadgets and human wisdom are fast replacing Pentecostal fire. Human acceptance and applause is now preferred to divine recognition and approval.

The Early Church did not care about human approval and applause. Attempts at dowsing the fire of the Holy Ghost in the Early Church further increased it. After many years, this type of fire has not been seen in the world. But these last days, there is an outpouring of God's Spirit that surpasses the previous moves of God. You can be a part of it. To benefit from this move, you must be saved, live righteously. Your obedience must be total. You must have a heart for Him and be willing to spend and be spent for the Master. You must drop any tradition that conflicts with God's Word. You must be prepared to offer sacrifices of praise regularly. Break off from sinful partners and unequal yoke. Cut off compromise and be prepared to stand out for the Lord. Let your greatest desire be to please Him according to His terms. The fire of God will fall upon you this season. Your life, family, business and ministry will never be the same again.

Prayer Point:

Father, make me an instrument of Your revival as You release fresh Pentecostal fire on me. 

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