OPEN HEAVENS 4 2DAY - SATURDAY - 31/05/2014 - THEME: IN VIEW?

MEMORISE

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Isaiah 49:16

READ

Isaiah 49:14-16

14 But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.

15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Exodus 17-19; Psalm 116

MESSAGE

One of the most depressing experiences of life is being forgotten by friends, relatives, family members, and those you really count on. Somehow you hope that you mean enough to people around that they won’t just forget and abandon you when you need them the most. This is so important to the average person that some have joined social clubs and endure inconveniencies to attend social functions and ceremonies as a means of building future credit with people in order to guarantee patronage whenever the need arises. The fear of being alone, forgotten, abandoned and separated from loved ones is so genuine and real that Jesus had to cry aloud with much agony when He suffered a similar fate on the cross of cavalry. The Bible in Matthew 27:46 says,

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Worst still, there are times when it seems as if the whole world is crashing on you; when life beats you down and gets the best of you, when friends and relatives are nowhere to be found. At such times, prayer begins to feel empty and God feels distant, almost as if He has forgotten you. It is very easy at this point to think that you have been deserted by God. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, be sure to stay closer to the word of God for constant reminders that God cares and that He is a present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1); He will never abandon you. I pray that whenever you call upon the Lord in times of trouble, He will answer in Jesus’ Name. No matter what you are going through, just hold on to Jesus and He will see you through.

God asked a rhetoric question in Isaiah 49:15a:

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?”

We know that it is seemingly impossible for that to happen, but God says even if it were possible, He will never forget you. You can rest on His word of promise because our God is dependable. God went on to say that He has engraved you on the palms of His hands; what a promise, what a word! Engravings are permanent inscriptions, therefore it symbolises an obsessed lover writing the name of his loved one on his hands for constant remembrance.

PRAYER POINT

Father, thank you for engraving me on the palm of your hand. Thank you for having me in constant remembrance.

Author: Pastor E. A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - WEDNESDAY - 21/05/2014 - SAFETY IN CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING

MEMORISE

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14

READ

Acts 27:30-37

30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 

 

MESSAGE

Counselling is used to describe the process of giving advice or suggestions to another person in order to help solve their problems. It is a situation where an individual that has problems comes to a person called a counsellor for guidance on what to do. It is true that there are many approaches to counselling. There is for example, the patient-oriented approach to counselling. There is the behavioural or stimulus-response contiguity approach, and there is the humanistic approach which is postulated on the premise that man possesses the capability of moving from a state of maladjustment to a state of adjustment when a threat-free, acceptable and conducive psychological climate is established. However, the safest form of counselling is Christian counselling. This approach involves trusting the Trinity (the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost) as the sole solution to all problems.

 

Every child of God should be involved in Christian counselling. Three entities are involved in Christian counselling. First, the Trinity is involved. He is the invisible and the infallible Counsellor. Second, there is the visible human counsellor and lastly, there is the human counselee. The Church should give serious attention to Christian counselling. The body of Christ should begin to develop seasoned counsellors to help solve the myriad of problems brought to her. Counselling involves communication. A Christian counsellor should therefore be a good conversationalist. Additionally, the human counsellor should receive training in the art of counselling and human relations. Such a person should also have emphatic understanding, patience and humour. He or she must be sociable and friendly, and possess at least an average intelligence quotient. A counsellor should equally be one that demonstrates consistent mature behaviour. The person should have respect for other people’s ideas, opinions, line of thinking and philosophy. Regard for other people’s worth and dignity as human beings irrespective of their economic status is also a necessary attribute. He or she should be alert to the feelings and non-verbal expressions of others, such as facial changes during counselling, and maintain honesty, confidentiality and self-evaluation. It is required that all Christians should endeavour to be good counsellors. Pastors and ministers of the gospel should be involved in Christian counselling, especially guidance counselling. Are you a pastor? It is mandatory for you to be a guidance counsellor. You should encourage the counselling department and stimulate the interest of church workers and other ministers in counselling. Seek to bring solutions to the problems of others. Be involved.

 

ACTION POINT

Pastors, encourage your counselling department with good offices, computers & accessories.

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Genesis 44-45;

Psalm 107:23-32

 

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY - 20/05/2014 - TIME FOR MIRACLES

MEMORISE

God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2:4

 

READ

Mark 4:35-41

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

 

MESSAGE

A miracle is an act or event which does not follow the known laws of nature. It simply means a higher law overruling a lower law. The law of the Spirit is higher than natural laws. A miracle involves the suspension of physical laws by divine intervention. It happens when God uses the spiritual law to set aside physical laws. In the first place, God is the one that ordained the natural and physical laws to govern the universe, he can choose to suspend them if He so wishes.

There are various categories of miracles. I pray that you will receive yours today in Jesus’ Name. In 1 Kings 17:10-16, we come across the miracle of supernatural supply manifested in the life of a widow and her child. In 1 Kings 17:17-22, we have the miracle of the dead coming back to life. I command that everything dead in your life, family, business and ministry should resurrect now in Jesus’ Name. In Mark 4:35-39, we have a miracle where the forces of nature were overruled. Are you suffering from any natural ailment? Are you living in fear or being oppressed by forces of nature? Receive a miracle that overrules nature in Jesus’ Name. There are also unusual or special miracles. These are unique miracles. An example is the miracle of the conception of Christ. The greatest of all miracles, however, is the miracle of salvation (John 3:7). It takes a miracle to be born-again. It is by grace that we are saved. It is not as a result of our works of righteousness (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ specialises in miracles. One of his names is ‘Miracle’. While on earth, He performed more miracles than any other human being. He healed the sick, cleansed lepers, opened the eyes of the blind, opened the ears of the deaf, made the cripple to walk and He raised the dead. He also saved sinners, gladdened the hearts of saints and went about doing good. It is not enough to know about miracles. Miracles can be experienced and enjoyed by you. You are a candidate for miracles. There are at least seven steps to receiving a miracle. The first step to receiving your miracle is to be reconciled to God. Confess your sins and iniquities to God and repent. Second, desire a miracle (Mark 8:22-24). Third conceive your miracle. Be specific about your miracle. Imagine your miracle. Dream your miracle. Get a clear picture of what you really want from God (Mark 10:48-52). Additionally, you should expect your miracle. Labour for your miracle by asking God for it and by worshipping and acknowledging God for it. Then, of course, receive your miracles and go ahead to thank God for the miracles you have received from Him.

 

ACTION POINT

Worship God for fifteen minutes and believe Him for your miracles today.

 

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Genesis 42-43; Psalm 107:10-22

 

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

WORKS OF THE DEVIL

MEMORISE

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8

 

READ

Deuteronomy 18:9-14

9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. 

 

MESSAGE

Joy means deep pleasure or great gladness. It is the opposite of sorrow. It will be stating the obvious to say that everyone on earth wishes to be joyful. Although God’s plan and desire is for us to live in joy, there is an actor in this world working frantically against this. There are two principal actors on the stage of history. These are Jesus Christ and the devil. The devil began to play his part in human history from Genesis 3 until the other actor, Jesus Christ, came with the gospel to destroy his works. Christ was able to overcome the devil through compassion, love and humility. The objectives of Jesus Christ are: to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), to save whosoever believes in Him and to present God as all in all. To overcome as Christ did, you must be ready to identify and to destroy all the works of Satan and his collaborators. Satan uses demons, human agents, forces of nature and even careless believers to do his works. He invades the spirit, soul and body of his victims and attempts to destroy them. Satan and his demons have the ultimate goal of torturing mankind, causing catastrophes, destroying lives and at last making humanity partake in the eternal fire which he and his cohorts are destined for.

 

The devil uses many means to capture human beings. He possesses, oppresses and afflicts his victims (Luke 22:3). He suppresses his victims, ensuring that they don’t manifest faith in God. Satan obsesses by filling the minds of his victims with fear and other things contrary to God’s word. Satan depresses his victims, making his victims discouraged and sad. Satan works through sicknesses and afflictions. Many incurable diseases and infirmities have demons behind them (Luke 13:11-13). Satan uses seduction, false doctrines, false religion and occultism. To be an overcomer, you should live right. Note that demons have no power over a child of God who is living right. You should therefore not open the way for Satan to invade your life. Renounce all previous involvement with the devil. Be informed: Satan is the brain behind magic, astrology, palmistry, Ouija boards, crystal ball-gazing, hypnotism, mesmerism, sorcery, hallucinogenic drugs, blood covenants, necromancy, body incisions and demonic initiations. Initiation into the demonic world is always done through the cunning craftiness of Satan and his demons. Persons that read unclean materials or watch devilish films and wrong programs on the television and also those who believe in what the stars foretell are easily possessed of devils. Demons must not be feared. Rather they must be discerned and rejected promptly.

 

ACTION POINT

Pray for the operation of the gifts of the Spirit to overcome demonic intrigues.

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Genesis 40-41; Psalm 107:1-9

 

 

AUTHOR: PST. E. A ADEBOYE

HAZARDING LIVES FOR MISSIONS

MEMORISE

Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 15:26

 

READ

Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

MESSAGE

Within the space of a few years after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the gospel about Him had reached Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and all the great cities in Europe, Africa and Asia. The gospel had made great inroads into the aristocracy and among intellectuals, and had already changed the lives of countless ordinary men and women. How did this happen? Evangelism was a priority among the first followers of Jesus. The Apostles and disciples of old obeyed the Great Commission; they were also missionaries who gave their all to missions.

 

I have heard people say to me, “Daddy, I am a pastor but not a missionary”. Who is a missionary? The unscriptural but popular view is that a missionary comes from a rich country that is advanced in education and technology. Because of the advantages of his culture, he comes to help those less fortunate by starting schools, hospitals, agricultural projects and also preaching the gospel. The scriptural view on missions is different. A missionary is someone who is sent with a message from a higher authority. ‘Missions’ does not refer to the social activities of the church for the transformation of the society. In the New Testament, wealth, race and technological advancement were not the basis of a missionary call. A missionary call is rooted in the need for those who have the gospel to share it with those who do not, whether they are rich or poor, advanced or primitive. Missions is therefore the Christian Church trying to win others to the Christian faith through a group of selected workers called missionaries. Every child of God should be involved in missions. First, you can be physically involved in missions, which could be either rural or urban missions. Rural missions is the work of a people sent by God to bring His work and power of salvation to people living in rural areas while in urban missions, people are sent by God to do the same work, but in urban areas. 

 

Mission work could be divided into two parts namely, Home Missions and Foreign Missions. Home missions involves reaching out to people living in hamlets, villages, towns and cities around your primary locale, while foreign missions involves reach out that is cross-cultural in nature. A second way by which you can be involved in missions is to give to Missions by sponsoring suitable volunteers to Bible Colleges or Missionary training schools; by linking prospective missionaries with those that can plan and supervise their work on the field; by organising financial, material and emotional support for missionaries, and by organising outreach trips to visit missionaries from time to time. Finally, you can organise prayer support for missionaries that go out. Missionaries hazard their lives for the gospel, be involved.

 

ACTION POINT

Reflect on how you can be involved in the work of missions and take practical steps on it.

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Genesis 32:22-34:31; Psalm 106:1-12

 

 

Author: Pastor Adeboye

CONVERSION OF THE PURSE

MEMORISE

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:38

READ

Philippians 4:13-19

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

MESSAGE

One of the very urgent needs of the Great Commission is financial liberation. For the gospel to reach the ends of the earth, we need liberation from financial bondage. The Body of Christ is in need of freedom from growing debts, little or no savings, inadequate income, lack of financial plans for the future and divorces resulting from financial tension in the home. Some members of the Church are financially strong but in dire need of freedom from suffocating materialism. Definitely as the Body of Christ, we need wisdom to spend our resources in eternally rewarding ways. It is obvious that the church is in need of financial resources to accomplish its assignment; the question is: in what ways are you of help to the Body of Christ today?

 

The first step to financial freedom is vision. Proverbs 29:18 says,

 

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

 

Vision denotes strong and specific conviction. You must not only have a vision, you must declare it and plan for its actualisation. If God is your partner, make your plans large. Many people give various excuses for lack of vision. Some blame themselves, saying they are not creative. Desire is more important to goal setting than creativity. Some others have no vision because they underrate themselves. To obtain vision, stop seeing things as they are, but as you are in God. Some are so defeated by the price of soul winning that they do not even start. Instead of giving yourself heartache about what the Great Commission will cost, the question you should first ask yourself is, “what will it accomplish?” Some complain that no one helps them. Let God start with you first, then enlarge your plans for Him and you will be surprised that help will come. Don’t allow these excuses to defeat you and hinder you from serving God. Instead of giving in to discouragement and despondency, the question you should ask yourself is: “Am I serving God in the right place? What would I like to do for God if I had no limitations?” Diligence is a key to financial freedom. There is no food for a lazy man. If you want to experience freedom in your finances, you must be ready to work hard. Hard work is the key to financial breakthrough. Additionally, you must learn the art of saving. Watch your budget closely and exercise financial discipline. Be a contributor and not a mere consumer. Finally, you must be prayerful. God is the one who gives power to make wealth. So learn to discuss all things with Him, including money.

 

ACTION POINT

Decide to have a personal vision for your life and family today.

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Genesis 31:1-32:21; Psalm 105:15-45

SOARING BEYOND THE SKY

MEMORISE

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. Ecclesiastes 11:6

 

READ

Genesis 26:8-15

8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

9 And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.

10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.

11 And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:

14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.

15 For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.

 

MESSAGE

You need peace of mind to succeed in life, business and ministry. To enjoy peace of mind, you need to overcome heartache, worry and anxiety. Forget past failures, disappointment and discouragement which can result in soul sickness. Soul sickness is the bane of life. Soul sickness is caused by lust, or as someone describes it, the natural love to do evil. It has been argued that the difference between love and lust is this: love can always wait to give while lust can never wait to get. Human beings have physiological or body needs. We crave food, water, sleep, general activity and sex. Soul sickness occurs when these needs are not met and we begin to lust after them, and as a result, abuse our body. 

 

Human beings also have psychological needs. These are our desire for love and acceptance, desire to feel important, special and useful. When these desires are not met, or when they are replaced by lust, one beg ins to have soul sickness. Soul sickness can be traced to unhealthy or wrong thoughts, unhealthy emotions (such as anger as a result of unattained goals), anxiety (resulting from pursuing foolish goals), and a sense of guilt which can be traced to unreached goals. Demonic influences are also responsible for soul sickness. Soul sickness is dangerous. It can result in rashness, misbehaviour, neurotic actions, poor performance, torment, compromise and unbelief. Other dangers include physical diseases, backsliding and death. The solution to soul sickness is genuine repentance. Repent of the past and turn a new leaf. Forget the past and begin to live according to the word of God.

 

Isaac did not allow the failures and opposition of the past to determine his action in the present. The land had experienced famine, his father’s wells had been stopped, yet he sowed in the land. However, it was after he had peace of mind from the guarantee that he will not be harmed on account of his wife that he sowed in Gerar. Sowing is a big secret of good success. You need to sow in order to succeed. Isaac sowed on a fertile land. To sow and be successful, you must know the land and ensure you are sowing on fertile grounds. Not all lands are fertile. Some are barren while some can be counterproductive. In whose ministry or life are you sowing your time, money and material resources? Be guided by the Holy Spirit on where to sow your seeds. Sow at the right time. Sow diligently. Sow prayerfully. Sow with expectation. Sow with persistence and faith. When you sow as expected, God will grant you a breakthrough. God’s blessings are the ultimate.

 

ACTION POINT

Allow yourself to be guided by the Holy Spirit on where and how to sow your seeds.

 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Genesis 29-30; Psalm 105:1-15

 

Author: Pastor E. A. Adeboye