THE MAN GOD USES

DATE: SUNDAY 1 MAY 2016

THEME: THE MAN GOD USES

Memorise:

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 2 Timothy 2:20

Read: 2 Timothy 2:19-21

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Message:

Today’s memory verse speaks of the availability of vessels of different makes, designs, and qualities to a great person. The choice of what vessel to use for any particular purpose is dependent on the master’s preference and the suitability of each vessel to the assignment at hand. So also, the man that God will use for any assignment must be found suitable for Kingdom assignment. God is always in the business of searching for suitable resources that He can use to fulfil His purpose here on earth. Whenever He locates one, He proceeds with the preparation and training of the chosen for the assignment. Incidentally, the divine equipment usually employed for the preparation and training of the man that God use is the cross. Many Christians are not fulfilling their purpose in life and ministry because they have consistently refused the required training for their assignments, and because they are not found to be suitable yet, their commissioning remains pending. May the Lord wake you up to the reality of your situation today, so that you can take your rightful place in the programme of heaven in Jesus’ name. 

The man that God will use becomes completely transformed by going through the preparation process of God. The relationship that follows guarantees that the person's mind, heart, will and life now belong to Jesus Christ alone, he becomes reoriented with God and God’s kingdom. He is convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that he or she was created to please God and would begin to pursue godly purposes with all determination. In the life of the man God uses, the words of 2 Corinthians 9:8 come to play;

“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Therefore, the man God uses is the person who has absolute trust, reliance, and faith in God. He relies on God as the source of all things; he is a man through whom God can do all things. He is fully aware of God’s agenda in the world, and he lives with a clear, God-given sense of direction toward fulfilling God’s purpose. The presence of God is with him always and he is always careful to keep his character and integrity in line with the Word of God. 

The man God uses is able to bring incredible changes and blessings into the life of anyone that comes in contact with him, through him, people with broken spirit, unstable families, the poor, those with health challenges, the demon possessed and the disenfranchised, can all find peace and prosperity with God. This is the whole essence of Christianity, and all it requires is our total submission to the preparation and training process. May the Lord give you the grace to pay the price for greatness in Jesus’ name.

Prayer point:

Father, give me the grace to depend totally on you and completely submit myself to your training in Jesus’ name. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 14:1-15:32 and Proverbs 18:1-14

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 12: MY HOPE IS BUILD ON NOTHING LESS

1. My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. 

Chorus:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand. 

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil. 

Chorus:

3. His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay. 

Chorus:

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne. 

Chorus.

OVERCOMING TRIALS 2

FRIDAY 29 APRIL 2016

THEME: OVERCOMING TRIALS 2

MEMORIZE:

 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

READ:  James 4:6-10

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

MESSAGE:

Submitting to the perfect will of God is a great weapon against trials and temptations. It is wisdom for us to submit to the One who is our present help in time of trouble. Jesus Christ is our closest ally in the battle of life. This is why those who do not have Him as their personal Lord and Saviour are vulnerably disposed to sorrow, frustration and death. 

For Us to enjoy the support and the defence of our great Ally , Jesus Christ , Apostle James wrote to say that we should submit ourselves to God , resist the devil and then he will flee from us (James 4:7).

The Bible says that pride goes before a fall. Many people fall into temptation because of pride . This is why the scripture enjoys us to live soberly as we fight the good fight of faith. 

For I say , through the grace given unto me , to every man that is among you , not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think ; but to think soberly , according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Romans 13:3

Humility and sobriety are great instruments of defence in the face of temptation. We are encouraged to humble ourselves in the sight of God so that He can lift us up.Once we are lifted up above principalities and powers, no temptation can floor us, because the Almighty is our Ally. People easily fall prey of trials and temptations because of their failure to live soberly . Over two  thousand years ago, Apostle James gave us a key to solving the problem. He wrote: 

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust , and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin  when it is finished bringeth forth death. James 1:14-5 

To overcome trials and temptations , we must run to Jesus afresh today with sober hearts and humility . He will come to our aids, just on time. 

ACTION POINT:

Examine your life ; see where and how you have exposed yourself to trials and temptations and make amends with the blood of Jesus Christ.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 

1 Kings 10-11 and Proverbs 17:1-14

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE 

HYMN: 

MY FAITH HAS FOUND A  PLACE

My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device or creed;

I trust the ever living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

Chorus:

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,

This ends my fear and doubt;

A sinful soul I come to Him,

He'll never cast me out.

Chorus:

My heart is leaning on the Word,

The living Word of God,

Salvation by my Savior's Name,

Salvation through His blood.

Chorus:

My great Physician heals the sick,

The lost He came to save;

For me His precious blood He shed,

For me His life He gave.

Chorus.

OVERCOMING TRIALS 1

THURSDAY 28 APRIL 2016

THEME: OVERCOMING TRIALS 1

MEMORISE:

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

READ: Proverbs 1:11-15

11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

MESSAGE:

The irony of the spiritual realm is that the tempter is the prosecutor. The Bible says:

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:9-10

The Above scripture points to one bitter truth; trials and temptations are characteristics of life whether we believe it or not. It is. However, better to believe it because it is then we can preparedly overcome it. The Bible also confirms it by attaching a blessings to overcomers  of temptation:

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

It takes genuine love of God to be able to overcome temptation. Joseph was able to overcome temptation of sleeping with his masters wife because of the love he had for God. This love was what produced his victory. He said:

 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Genesis 39:9

As said earlier, there will always be temptations as long as we on this earth. Temptation is not a sin but falling into it is a sin. The bad thoughts that the devil flashes at you are not sins until you begin to hatch and execute them. It is our resistance to temptation that makes us overcomers. The Bible says: Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Hebrews 12:4

My prayer for Someone using this devotional is that you remain an overcomer over sin from now on in Jesus name. 

PRAYER POINT: 

Father, Sanctify me wholly from every besetting sin by the Blood of Jesus she on the cross.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

1 Kings 8:22-9:28 and Proverbs 16:20-33

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

KNOW YOUR ENEMY 2

DATE: WEDNESDAY 27 APRIL 2016

THEME: KNOW YOUR ENEMY 2

Memorise:

O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Romans 7:24

Read: Romans 7:18-25

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Message

The flesh is another deadly enemy of man. The flesh attacks the soul through its poisonous activities. These are listed in Galatians 5:19-21:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The above listed activities of the flesh are deadly, primarily because they prevent a man from inheriting the kingdom of God. An enemy is not a serious one of it can only kill you, but cannot prevent you from making it to heaven. Jesus Christ said:

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both and body in hell. Mathew 10:28

Consequently, the flesh and its activities are very dangerous, but Christians have become so complacent that they sit back and allow these activities drag them off the track to heaven. The Bible says :

 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth into his neighbours wife; whosoever touched her shall not be innocent...But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 

Proverbs 6:28,32

The works  of the flesh can be destroyed through only one means and that means is Jesus Christ. Beloved, I encourage you to give your life totally today, and do away with all works of the flesh.

Action Point: 

Read Colossians 3:5 and pray with it.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 7:1-8:21 and Proverbs 16:6-19

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

KNOW YOUR ENEMY 1

TUESDAY 26 APRIL 2016

THEME: KNOW YOUR ENEMY 1

MEMORISE:

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Proverbs 1:10

READ: Genesis 3:1-5

1 NOW the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

MESSAGE:

One of the earliest weapons of the devil against both spiritual and physical well-being of a man is enticement. He has, from time immemorial, been successfully using this weapon against humanity. The first time he used it was in the Garden of Eden.

And the serpent said to the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:4-6a

As a matter of fact, the fruit was not better looking than other fruits of the garden, but the mental picture that the devil painted about it suggested to the woman that the fruits was better than the ones God has generously given them to eat. Today, there are many good things of life that God has provided for humanity and His children in particular, but the enticement of the enemy has robbed many people of the joy and contentment in God's benevolence. For example; if am man goes about chasing a woman who is not his wife, he is deluded and enticed to think that the strange woman possesses  something that his wife does not have. It is the lie of the devil when you think that a second marriage will give you the joy that you did not have in the first. Read this confession of the first polygamist in history:

And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and  the name of the other Zillah... And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zalilah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to hurt. Genesis 4:19,23

Though we may not have the full details of Lamechs lamentation in this passage, the fact remains than an increase in the number of his wives did not spare him from the agony that instigated this lament.

Beloved, in what areas have you been deceived through the enticement of the devil? I pray that the enticement will loosen its grip over you from today in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, when sinners come around to entice me, may I not consent in Jesus name. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

1 Kings 4-6 and Proverbs 15:25-16:5

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

BELATED OFFERING?

DATE: MONDAY 25 APRIL 2016

THEME:  BELATED OFFERING? 

Memorise: 

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. Luke 24:1

Read: Luke 24:1-8

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8 And they remembered his words,

Message

Some offerings are acceptable while some are not; some offerings are given at the right time while some are belatedly offered. On the morning of the resurrection, some people brought spices to the sepulchre of Jesus, meanwhile, a few days to His crucifixion, a woman anointed Jesus Christ’s feet with expensive ointment. This woman’s kind gesture was just in time.

“When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, why trouble ye the woman? For she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.”

Matthew 26:10-12

Incidentally, when Jesus Christ died, no one was there to perform the customary anointing before burial for Him. It was in lieu of this that certain disciples came to the resurrection morning that they may anoint Jesus in arrears. However, He had resurrected!

Beloved, there are many lessons to be learnt from this resurrection story; whenever the Holy Spirit asks you to do something, no matter how illogical it may sound, do it immediately. The reason is that if you do it later, it will be a belated offering or service. The disciples who came to anoint Jesus went back with their perfume because the Master was no longer in the grave. James, an apostle of Jesus Christ wrote:

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit.”

James 2:14-16

If I may answer the apostle; there can be no profit whatsoever. There could, however, be a loss of that person in need, and it may be a physical or spiritual loss as the fellow may die of hunger or backslide. In this same vein, whenever the Holy Spirit asks you to do something and doing that thing attracts criticisms from men, be undeterred, go ahead and do exactly as you were told. Your critics will soon realise that they were wrong to have criticised you. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us, and may we continue to obey Him as we journey from the world to our eternal home above.

Action Point:

Listen to the Holy Spirit and do all that He asks you to do immediately.  

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 2:13-3:28 and Proverbs 15:11-24

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

GODLY SORROW?

DATE: FRIDAY 22 APRIL 2016

THEME: GODLY SORROW? 

Memorise:

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2ndCorinthians 7:10

Read: Luke 22:60-62

60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Message

When Peter realized that he did not fulfil his promise to not deny Jesus Christ, the Bible says: “…he went out, and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75). This is what we call godly sorrow and it has its blessings.

When an individual is confronted with reality of his sinful life and the certainty of hell, if he is not a reprobate, he will mourn of his woes. The best way to mourn for one’s sin is to confess and forsake them.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 28:13-14

In our Bible reading for today, the Pharisee went to the temple, only to begin to eulogise himself about all his good deeds. The Publican, on the other hand, smote his heart and mourned for his sins. Some of us have been so self-conceited for too long a time that we have piled-up sins that are now standing in our ways to spiritual revival.

The Bible says:

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven but smote upon his breast, saying God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exaleteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:14-14

Beloved of the Lord, let us examine ourselves and see where we are falling short of God’s grace for living holy. Let us repent genuinely, and come back to our first love. I pray that the Lord will revive you today in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point:

Father, I need a revival of holiness, please revive me again.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 21-22 and Proverbs 14:4-17

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

DATE: TUESDAY 19 APRIL 2016 

THEME  IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME 

MEMORISE : And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:24 

READ: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 

24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 

25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 

MESSAGE 

There is one Significant and fundamental reason ( among other Important reasons ) why the Holy Communion ( The Lords Supper ) was inaugurated by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Jesus died for us. Shedding His blood to atone for our sins because it is written, 

".... and without shedding of blood there is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22). 

Consequently, Jesus Christ said we should observe the Holy Communion often in remembrance of Him, but it takes a deep level of wisdom to understand and remember what He went through for our redemption. One important thing to note here is that Jesus Christ knew what He would go through to die for His friends. Having died for us, He surely doesn't want His gesture of love to be forgotten by the people he did it for. We unfortunately often forget the passion of our Lord, which led to His ignoble death. This is why we do things that, by implication, necessitate our Lords going back to the Cross frequently. 

" If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:6 

Most people backslide because of their loss of memory about agony of the death that the Saviour suffered in order to procure salvation for us the Bible says: 

"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained." 1 Timothy 4:6 

What should we put ourselves in remembrance of ? Paul, the apostle wrote : 

"Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:" 2 Timothy 2:8,11-12 

In all ideal situation, communion should be taken as frequently as possible in order to enable us remember the death of our Lord and the reason for it. The Bible says we should not be forgetful hearers but doers of the Word ( James 1:25 ). When we gather for Holy communion, everyone is compelled to carry out self-examination so that he or she does not eat to damnation according to our Bible text for today. May the passion, suffering and death of Jesus Christ avail for us through eternity in Jesus name. 

ACTION POINT: Do you remember what Christ went through for you often enough? 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 Samuel 16-17 and Proverbs 12:15-28 

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

LESSONS FROM THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY

MONDAY 18 APRIL 2016

THEME: LESSONS FROM THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY 

MEMORISE:

Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. Mark 11:10

READ: Matthew 21:1-9

1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.

3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

MESSAGE:

A lot of lessons can be deducted from the historic entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Right from verse two of our Bible text, we are exposed to revelations from the Lord’s actions. Jesus had not entered into the village, but He knew there was an ass tied; not alone but with its colt. We can see the omniscient attribute of Jesus Christ, like that of His Father. He said loose them, and bring them unto me. To soul winners, you are expected to loosen your converts before bringing them for the Master’s use. He said:

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18

We are not supposed to dialogue with the devil and his cohorts; all we need is to exercise authority (Luke 10:19). Since all these are written for fulfilment, we have a date with destiny to fulfil our divine mandate. As missionaries and soul winners, we must endeavour to go after our entire household to win them for Christ. It was not the ass alone but also its colt. The disciples decorated the ass and its colt for the use of the Master. Before our converts can be useful for the Master, we must work on them through the teaching of the Word. The Bible says: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2

Another lesson from the story of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem is the high praise of God through His beloved Son. Whoever will glorify God the Father must do that through the Son because God has given Him a Name that is above every other name.

Our Lord Himself said:

“…I am the way the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

He said,

“Behold I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

If we do not shut Jesus out of our lives, we are bound to be happy like the inhabitants of Jerusalem in our Bible text for today. I implore someone reading this devotional; open your heart to Jesus, let Him have full control of your heart and you will find rest for your soul. 

 

PRAYER POINT: 

Holy Father, take absolute control of my life today.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

2 Samuel 14-15 and Proverbs 12:1-14

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN:

 O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED. 

1. O Jesus, I have promised, 

To serve Thee to the end;

Be Thou forever near me,

My Master and my Friend;

I shall not fear the battle

If Thou art by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway

If Thou wilt be my Guide.

2. Oh, let me feel Thee near me;

The world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle,

The tempting sounds I hear;

My foes are ever near me,

Around me and within;

But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,

And shield my soul from sin.

3. Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,

In accents clear and still,

Above the storms of passion,

The murmurs of self-will;

Oh, speak to reassure me,

To hasten, or control;

Oh, speak, and make me listen,

Thou Guardian of my soul.

4. O Jesus, Thou hast promised

To all who follow Thee

That where Thou art in glory

There shall Thy servant be;

And Jesus, I have promised

To serve Thee to the end;

Oh, give me grace to follow,

My Master and my Friend.

5. Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,

And in them plant mine own;

My hope to follow duly

Is in Thy strength alone.

Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,

Uphold me to the end;

And then to rest receive me,

My Savior and my Friend.

ABUNDANT BLESSINGS

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SUNDAY 17 APRIL 2016

THEME: ABUNDANT BLESSINGS 

Memorise:

Blessing shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

Deuteronomy 28:3

Read: Deuteronomy 28:1-2

1: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

Message

Jesus Christ said; “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). 

In other words, there are abundant blessings in the kingdom of God. It goes without saying that there is wisdom in seeking to please God above all other ambitions. The Almighty God revealed the secret of abundant blessings of His people in today’s scriptural reading; abundant blessing is embedded in perfect obedience to the Word of God.

Many people think that the moment they become Kingdom seekers, they will enter into a world of penury. This is the deceit of the devil which has unfortunately been believed through the ages. The devil has succeeded in making many people believe that unless they serve him, they cannot make it in life. He even had the audacity to attempt deceiving Jesus Christ during the temptations in the wilderness, but our Lord defeated him (Luke 4:5-7).

Beloved, I want to announce to you that there are abundant blessings in our Lord Jesus Christ; my life is a living testimony of this. 

Before I gave my life to Christ, I used to borrow money from my own drive to fuel my car two weeks into a new month. It was when I gave my life to Christ that I began to know the true meaning of prosperity. Deuteronomy 8:18 says: “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he aware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

The Psalmist says that unless the Lord builds a house, the builders build but in vain (Psalms 127:1). Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ also corroborates this when he wrote:

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

1st Corinthians 3:6-7

May the abundant blessing from the throne of God be your portion in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point

Father, please let Your abundant blessings be my portion this season in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 Samuel 12-13 and Proverbs 11:18-31

AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE 

HYMN 1: O LORD MY GOD

1. O LORD my God! When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hand hath made; 

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, 

Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed:

Chorus:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee, 

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee, 

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander 

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,

And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze:

Chorus:

3. And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, 

Sent Him to die - I scarce can take it in:

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, 

He bled and died to take away my sin:

Chorus:

4. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation 

And take me home - what joy shall fill my heart!

Then shall I bow in humble adoration, 

And there proclaim, my God how great Thou art!