Nothing Too Sudden – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Sunday 11th August 2013

Nothing Too Sudden – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Sunday 11th August 2013

NOTHING TOO SUDDEN BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5

Read:

Luke 8:22-25

( Luke 8:22) Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

(Luke 8:23) But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

(Luke 8:24) And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. Luke 8:25

Open Heavens Devotional Message
The scripture in today’s memory verse, tells us that negative events have time limits. If this were not the case, no one would have been able to enjoy life at all. This also means that the fact that something went wrong is no reason why it will end wrong. Weeping can last for a night, but it will be gone in the morning. Are you weeping? It shall soon give way for joy. It also tells us that no matter the situation you are in now, as long as you are linked with Jesus who is a master of situations and circumstances (M.Sc.), it shall end in joy.

From the story of the Shunammite woman recorded in 2 King 4:18-26, we learnt that often times, storms never give notice before they come. Early that morning when the woman woke from sleep, the temperature of her son was normal, if it was not so, the boy would not have been allowed to visit his father in the field. You may never know when you will need to cry to God; therefore you must not owe God in vows (Psalm 50:14-15). When Jesus asked that they go over to the other side, the storm did not give any indication that it will come.

One of my daughters was travelling to the Eastern part of Nigeria, sitting at the back seat of a Peugeot car as she read her bible. Then suddenly while at top speed, the front tire of the vehicle she was in busted. She could only remember one word – Jesus. She shouted it while the car began to somersault. At that point, there was no time to confess sins. Suddenly, the door was flung open and invisible hands picked her up and gently sat her down by the road, from where she became onlooker in an accident she was involved in. at the end of it all, she was the only survivor who narrated the story. Usually, what occurs suddenly may be out of the control and timing of man, but it is within God’s control. No sudden event can take God by surprise. The Lord will step into that so-called sudden event and bring you out of trouble. However, let your ways always be right with God.

Bible In One Year:

1 Kings 20-22

Key Point:
The reality of sudden disasters is a good reason to always be prepared for death.




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Power In The Blood – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Thursday 1st August 2013

POWER IN THE BLOOD BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:28

Read:

Matthew 26:26-28
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Matthew 26:26

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; Matthew 26:27

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:28

Open Heavens Message
Wrong use of the tongue can be so destructive that it can forever severe one’s link with the Saviour in a situation such as blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. May this never be your portion in Jesus name. However, avoid everything that attracts you into sin as they are targeted at breaking your link with the Vine. Just feeding your eyes lustfully for a few minutes on pornographic materials and websites could have the end result of breaking the tree-branch relationship that exists between Jesus and you.

At the first Holy Communion service with the disciples, the Lord said,

“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Matthew 26:28

In other words, He was saying that if you have been detached from the Vine and already withering, when you reconcile with God and receive the blood, you will be revived. The blood is so powerful that it can flush out every stranger hibernating in your body. Matthew 15:13 says,

“But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up”.

The doctors will tell you that one reason you bleed after cutting your skin is because the body system recognizes that once there is an opening in the body, strangers can come in; so the blood rushes out to prevent strangers from coming in. Is there any contamination in your system? It shall be uprooted. Every virus, germ or bacteria hibernating in your system shall die and be flushed out as you partake of the blood of Jesus Christ made available through the Holy Communion. Revelation 12 :11 says the blood of Jesus can give you victory over the devil.

As you partake of the Holy Communion, key into it in faith and receive your victory over forces of darkness. As soon as the sick branch is healed, it begins to bear fruit again (John 15:5). Are you a sick branch? Or have you become detached through compromising with sin? Repent from your heart, dump that sin that broke you away from the Vine and reconnect today. If you are not yet born-again, it means you have never been connected to the Lover of your soul. Confess your sins, forsake them and invite Jesus Christ into your heart and confess Him as your Lord. As you do so, you will be attached to the Vine.

Bible In One Year:

Lamentation 1-2

Action Point
The blood of Jesus was under utilised by believers today. Apply this blood on every area of life, using it to attack every opposition you are facing.



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Sin Is A Bad Painter – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Tuesday day 30th July 2013

SIN IS A BAD PAINTER BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Read:
Mark 2:1-12

(Mark 2:1) And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

(Mark 2:2) And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

(Mark 2:3) And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

(Mark 2:4) And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

(Mark 2:5) When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

(Mark 2:6) But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

(Mark 2:7) Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?

(Mark 2:8) And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

(Mark 2:9) Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

(Mark 2:10) But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

(Mark 2:11) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

(Mark 2:12) And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Open Heavens Message
''And God saw everything that he made, behold, it was very good. And the evening and morning were the six day.'' Genesis 1:31

The above scripture speaks of the events that occurred at the beginning, when God created the Heaven and earth. He examined all He made and they were very good. There was sickness, sorrow or lack. All you could find was blessing, fruitfulness, multiplication, longevity, dominion and abundance. But that was before the advent of sin. From Genesis 3:16-19 after man fell, his fall gave rise to several negative things that never existed until then - curses, painful conception and delivery, sorrow, sweat, hardship, etc.

What was once very good became very bad when sin came in. There is a link between sin and everything evil. This also tells us that sin can change the colour of events, situations and circumstances from bright beautiful colours to dark and repulsive ones. Believe it or not, sin paints your today and tomorrow in colours you detest

Sin is a very powerful force. It is so powerful that it conquered the whole of the human race. It changed the bright and glorious outlook of the earth. According to Psalm 107:17-18 it brought sickness and affliction. Bondage, failure and helplessness also came because of sin (Psalm 107:10-12). What of barrenness and poverty? Psalm 107:33-34 confirms that these came through sin, hence Romans 6:23 concludes that sin always delivers death to sinners.

As powerful as sin is, forgiveness comes, it even much more powerful. When forgiveness comes, it is able to restore the bright pictures of your life, which were lost to sin. Forgiveness turns the tide of the life and destiny of a sinner. In today’s reading, when the paralyzed man was brought before the Lord, He forgave him his sins and thereafter, helplessness, sorrow, sickness disappeared and healing was delivered. Are you in need of a miracle from God but you are still living in sin? Immediately acknowledge your sins, confess them and ask for God’s forgiveness, then invite Jesus into your heart

Bible In One Year:
Deuteronomy 29-31

Prayer Point:
Father, every negative colour sin has painted my life and destiny with, change it into something glorious

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Secure Your Salvation – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Saturday 27th July 2013

SECURE YOUR SALVATION BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise:
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:16

Read:
Philippians 2:12-16

(Php 2:12) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

(Php 2:13)For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

(Php 2:14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

(Php 2:15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

(Php 2:16) Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Open Heavens Message
If you are born-again, go further to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, walk in the Spirit. Do everything possible to retain the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Several years ago, I used to preach to my mother to give her life to Jesus, but she would tell me she has been a Christian before she was married to my father. Yet, I would ask her: “Are you really born-again?” When she could no longer stand the pressure, she asked me what I wanted her to do, so I led her to Christ. After this, I was worried about the genuineness of her salvation, so I told God I needed to see the evidence of her conversion especially because she was advanced in age; I wanted God to baptize her with the Holy Spirit before she dies, so that I can be certain she is born-again.

During a visit one afternoon, while praying for God’s help so that she would be baptized with the Holy Spirit that same day, I fell asleep. Two of my daughters visited and met me sleeping, so they went to ask mama whether she had been baptized of the Holy Spirit. They took some time with her and mama received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It was the noise that woke me. Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If you have, are members of you nuclear and extended families saved? If they are, praise God, but don’t stop at that; help them to receive the Holy Spirit. Luke 24:49 says,

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with the power from high”

The presence of the Holy Spirit will be a witness of conversion to Christ as well as make them witnesses of the power of the Gospel according to Romans 8:9 and Acts 1:8. Do not take for granted that you are saved or that your loved ones have given his or her life to Christ, take further steps to secure that salvation by having more of the Spirit of Jess Christ.

Bible In One Year:
Deuteronomy 20-22

Action Point:
If you have not experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, pray that the Lord will baptize you with His fire. You can also see your pastor to pray with you.

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Don’t Inhibit This Chemistry – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 26th July 2013

DON’T INHIBIT THIS CHEMISTRY BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
Abide in, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4

Read:
John 15:1-5

(Joh 15:1)I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

(Joh 15:2)Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and everybranchthat beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

(Joh 15:3)Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

(Joh 15:4)Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Open Heavens Message
To succeed in life and in ministry as a believer, you must understand the relationship that exists between you and the Lord. You need to dully understand your rights, privileges and obligations. Today’s reading tells us that there is a tree-branch relationship between us and the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the tree – the Vine while we are the branches. If all is well with the tree, all will be well with the branches. If the vine is fruitful, the branches, all other things equal.

What passes through the vine also passes through branches. If the vine is fruitful, the branches too will bear fruit. For a branch to be unfruitful, while connected to a fruitful vine is a rarity except the branch is sick or detached from the vine. No branch produces fruit on its own except through the vine. As a believer in Christ, whatever is produced through you – be it physical or spiritual or otherwise is by the power of working in you, which is Jesus Christ.

Once in a while, it is possible for a branch to be sick. According to Psalm 107:17, sin brings affliction. The branch that goes into sin will end in affliction. But when this happens, Psalm 107:20 says as that branch repents, God will send His Word to deliver healing to the sick. Who is that Word? John 1:1,14 says it is none other than the Word that was in the beginning, Who was made flesh – the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, John 6:51 says to live, you must eat of His flesh. Beloved, being a branch of the Vine and a partaker of the flesh and blood of the Lord, you must know that there is a divine chemistry operating in you, which you must never allow sin to inhibit.

While you live free from sin and you take the Holy Communion in faith, John 6:56 says you and Jesus will co-exist in each other. This is a very powerful revelation. If you walk in this revelation, the divine nature becomes manifest in your human nature. Your weakness will be absorbed by His strength. Your limitation will be absorbed by His super-abundance, and you will gradually manifest His person. The chemistry that connects you with Jesus is so profound that you must not allow anything external to inhibit it. As long as your relationship with Him is unbroken, you will be able to access all that God has for you. Guard your link with Jesus jealously.

Bible In One Year:
Deuteronomy 17-19

Action Point:
List 20 things that happen or cannot happen to you knowing that Christ is in you and you are in Him

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Copying Methods – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Thursday 25th July 2013

COPYING METHHODS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

Read:
Acts 19:11-19

(Act 19:11) And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

(Act 19:12) So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

(Act 19:13) Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

(Act 19:14) And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

(Act 19:15) And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

(Act 19:16) And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

(Act 19:17) And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

(Act 19:18) And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

(Act 19:19) Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Open Heavens Message
While some servants of God can lay a demand on the anointing of God upon their lives, and God will immediately answer, some others cannot because they really do not have any credit in their heavenly account. Take for instance Gehazi who was the servant of Elisha. In 2 Kings 4:29-31, Elisha gave Gehazi his rod to go and place it over the dead son of the Shunammite woman. As soon as he received it, he did not even wait to pray but rushed off, only to return and tell his master nothing happened.

Gehazi spoke like his master and tried to configure things, yet nothing happened. This tells us that it is possible to be on the same bed with someone show is on fire and not catch the fire. It is not the anointing oil, it is not the staff of office; it is not how well packaged the words are; it is not your oratory abilities. You can have all these but if you do not have any credit with God, all these will fail you. It is easy to talk the talk but walking the walk is what is most important.

In Acts19:11-19, when the sons of Sceva saw the miracles that Paul did, they became interested. Unknown to him they bbegan to study the 'methodologies' and at the end, they tried to replicate what they saw, but because they lacked the relationship with the Person of Jesus Christ, they paid dearly for their abuse of His name. Never copy others by prophesying except when God has spoken to you, or you will pay dearly for it.

Today, some pastors who do not have the word of wisdom or knowledge, and are not prepared to pay the price for these gifts, are gradually imitating those who have it. They want to belong to the class of spiritual leaders by applying guesses and common sense. The things of the Spirit do not work like that. If you copy the methods but lack the Spirit, you can never get the result of the Spirit. What are you copying? Is it from men or from God?

Bible In One Year:
Deuteronomy 13-16

Prayer Point:
A copy cannot be the same as the original. Why copy when you can have the original?

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Resisting Darkness – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Wednesday 24th July 2013

RESISTING DARKNESS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
The light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not john 1:5

Read:
John 1:45

(John 1:45) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Open Heavens Message
We are enjoined to arise and shine in Isaiah 60:1. To shine could mean Fulfill your purpose. It could mean Resist darkness. John 1:5 says

“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

You are not saved to fold your arms and be idle, but to resist darkness. Paul fought the good fight of faith and a part of that fight is to resist evil. The more you increase the number of lights around a place, the less darkness you will have there. This is the wisdom in planting churches. The more churches we planted, the more forces of darkness will be driven away.

There was a time in my village that if a well-dressed individual was going there with a car, on arrival at Ife (South-West Nigeria), the fellow would have to park the car, change to a less flamboyant dress and unpolished shoes before heading for the village. On getting home, after greeting them, they may ask how long the visit would be, and then the individual would lie that he would stay for three days whereas he was already preparing to leave. When it is time to leave, if the way to the motor park is to the right, he will follow the left and after going some distance, the fellow would reconnect the road to the park.

Why all that pretense? It was because darkness was thick and prevalent in the area. If they discovered the fellow had achieved something in life, that visit might just be his last visit to the village. But today, things have changed because the light of God has shone over them.

Now, I can even visit in a helicopter and be seen by people, yet no evil is envisaged. If you are a light of this world, you will shine by resisting evil. Every soul you win to the Kingdom further reduces the pressure of sin and death upon the community where you are. Do all it takes to enlarge the coast of the Kingdom because in doing this, you will not only be shining, but also multiplying good in the midst of a dark world.

Bible In One Year
Ecclesiastes 7-9

Action Point:
Go out and win souls into God’s Kingdom and thereafter thank Him for His light that is spreading into those lives and community at large.

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Why You Must Abide – RCCG Open Heavens Devotion Tuesday 23rd July 2013

WHY YOU MUST ABIDE BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

Read:
Proverbs 18:6-8

(Pro 18:6) A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

(Pro 18:7) A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

(Pro 18:8) The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Open Heavens Message
In John 9:6-7, a man who was born blind had contact with the Lord and his eyes were opened in a very dramatic way. If just one contact could do that much, how much more when you abide in Him. When you abide in Christ, He makes everything to become new. 2 Kings 4:8-17 tells of the Shunammite woman who offered Elisha food, and he decided to abide more regularly in the apartment she built for him.

Because he was abiding there, this woman who had lost hope of becoming a mother became the mother of a son. When you abide, there is a new beginning. The widow of Zarephath had the servant of God abiding with her and her son and what was supposed to be her last meal became the meal that sustained the trio for over two years of famine. Are you abiding in Christ? If you are today in Christ, tomorrow in sin, you are not abiding in Him.

Moreover, why do you need to abide in Him? Abiding in Him creates the perfect atmosphere to get the best results from God’s Word. Psalm 119:11 says,

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

If you are in a hurry to study God’s word, it will not sink into you, and you will be unable to reach the depth where you can get revelation. You need to read, study, memorise and mediate on the word, so that you can have good success (Joshua 1:18). You cannot continue in sin and expect a breakthrough from God because God is a miracle worker and not a magician. Abiding in Him helps you to stay holy.

Several years ago, a woman wanted to be fruitful. Like others who came. I laid hands on her and prayed. Much later she was angry that nothing happened even though she fell under the anointing. While I was about to pray for her again, the Lord stopped, and told me to ask this great woman how many boyfriends she had, beside her husband, and she said six. What some people are seeking is magic not miracle to prosper and become fruitful or successful through Him, you must be holy.

Bible In One Year
Ecclesiastes 7-9

Key Point
Anytime you step out of Christ, you are exposed to the bullets and arrows of the enemy. Stay in Him!

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Strike A Balance – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Monday 22nd July 2013

STRIKE A BALANCE BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 29:2

Read:
Exodus 1:15-21

(Exo 1:15) And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one wasShiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

(Exo 1:16) And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

(Exo 1:17) But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

(Exo 1:18) And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

(Exo 1:19) And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

(Exo 1:20) Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

(Exo 1:21) And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

Open Heavens Message
Earlier, God had promised Abraham that through him, the whole world would be blessed. Abraham had Isaac, Isaac had Jacob and Esau, and Jacob had 12 sons. By the time they got to Egypt, they were 70 in number. Thereafter God began to multiply them over a period of time to such an extent that they became a mighty nation within Egypt. The Egyptians however became afraid of them.

After all the Pharoahs that knew about joseph died, one came who did not know Joseph. This Pharaoh came up with an evil strategy against the children of Israel. We ought to learn a new few lessons from these events. We know that changes are bound to occur as one government gives way for to another. Some will recognize and represent your interest while some others will not.

Yet, irrespective of the earthly government in power at any given moment, the divine government of the Most High God remains unchangeable. Since this divine government is the highest level of government, it can impose its will on all earthly governments. Therefore to remain relevant at all times, stay connected with the government of heaven.

I once asked God why He decided to hide so many truths in the Book of Exodus, and He replied that the Book of Exodus is the book of rapture. He said just as the children of Israel went en mass from Egypt so will the saints leave the world someday. Are you prepared for this glorious day? Remember there may be no notice other than a reminder like this one you are having now.

Moreover, we also learn how dangerous it is to have power without the fear of God. A man who can order the death of innocent babies is a dangerous fellow, which is why we must pray fervently that from now onwards, anyone without the fear of God will never rule our nations again.

Anyone in government who does not care about preserving the lives of those under him or her has failed in governance. When the righteous are in authority, joy should flood the city, state, or community. But if you claim to be righteous and those under you are in sorrow during your dispensation, you are a shame to the Body of Christ. How is your life bringing joy to others?

Bible In One Year:
Ecclesiastes 4-6

Action Point:
Using Psalm 72:7, pray that during your tenor in ministerial or secular affairs, the righteous will flourish and peace shall abound all through your sphere of influence.

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Exceeding Greatness By Sacrifice - RCCG Open Heavens Devotion Friday 19th July 2013

EXCEEDING GREATNESS BY SACRIFICE BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. Psalm 50:5

Read:
Genesis 22:7-14

(Gen 22:7) And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

(Gen 22:8) And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

(Gen 22:9) And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

(Gen 22:10) And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

(Gen 22:11) And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

(Gen 22:12) And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

(Gen 22:13) And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

(Gen 22:14) And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Open Heavens Message
Our God is a covenant keeper. This is why He hates the acts of truce breakers with a passion. If you want your future to be exceedingly great, make sure you are connected through a covenant to God. God is taking us to the level of exceeding greatness. Don’t let anybody deceive you by telling you that you have reached a height nobody has achieved for God. Simply tell them that whatever they consider as your height is truly the beginning of your achievement for God. Tell them they have not seen anything yet.

However, how do you get to your next level – the level of exceeding greatness? Sacrifice is required. In Genesis 22:1-18, Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac and Isaac was willing to be a sacrificial lamb. You cannot get to the height of exceeding greatness without a sacrifice. When The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was just starting, there was sacrifice. People worked selflessly and with all their hearts. Bricklayers worked for free, so also did carpenters, etc. at the present location of the RCCG Headquarters, the lagoon water was so close and so we had to push the waters backwards by pouring in saw dust.

At that time, I was already a lecturer in the university, but I was glad I had the opportunity to salvage the church and contribute my quota. I got a big basket to carry saw dust. One day, there was a serious traffic jam in Lagos and motorists decided to look for short cuts. In the process, one of my former students saw a particular car going off the congested road and he followed, believing the driver was taking a known alternative route.

That was how they came through our church compound and he saw me carrying a big basket of saw dust. He shouted in disbelief. To get to the next level, you must be prepared to sacrifice. In fact, the quality of your next level will be determined by the quality of your sacrifice. I never knew that I would become a pastor in the RCCG then but I rejoiced at the opportunity to serve God sacrificially. Are you humble enough to serve God at any level of sacrifice He requires of you?

Bible In One Year
Numbers 31-33

Prayer Point
Father, the grace to make the ultimate sacrifice that will take me to my greatest heaight, give to me today. Take me to the very top..

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Laying Demands On Your Calling - RCCG Open Heavens Devotion Thursday 18th July 2013

LAYING DEMANDS ON YOUR CALLING BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memory Verse:

And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. 2 Kings 1:10

Read:

2 Kings 1:9-12

(2 Kings 1:90) Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.

(2 Kings 1:10) And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

(2 Kings 1:11) Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.

(2 Kings 1:12) And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

Open Heavens Message
Every potential champion faces the risk of never becoming a champion. Becoming a champion is a process which involves a lot of effort on the part of the would-be champion; while it takes nothing – no effort on your part to die a potential champion. This is exemplified by Judas Iscariot. He was one of the very few portfolio holders in the ministry of Jesus. He was indeed a potential champion but because he never realised it, Satan deceived him, he lost his ministry and somebody else replaced him (Acts 1:15-20). This is one dangerous side of doing nothing about your potential: it will not only affect your destiny but it can also result in you being replaced. May you never be replaced in God’s end time plan. Revelation 3:11 says

“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”

The potential you do nothing about may be lost.

In 2 Kings 5:20-27, Elijah was called a man of God. Bearing such a title suggests that one has been with God for a long time. Consequently, people would have certain expectations of such a fellow. If you are a man or woman of God, or a divine champion, people will naturally expect to see the miraculous in your life and ministry because they believe you have the power that goes with the title or office. But do you? In 2 Kings 1:9-12, Elijah said if he is a man of God, then fire should come from Heaven to roast the soldiers and it happened immediately. Such a request lays a demand on the anointing and on the call of God upon a servant of God.

The truth is, not many servants of God can lay such a demand on their calling and receive expedited answer because they have lost the essence of their calling to compromise, sin or disobedience. When such a call is made, it is only God that can answer it depending on the individual’s present (not past) standing with God. God recognised and openly confirmed Elijah as His servant, can He do the same with you? When some people make such demands, they are put to shame. That shall not be your portion. It is possible to be a man of God and walk with God to the end. That was the case with Enoch (Hebrews 11:5); this will be said of you as well.

Prayer Point
If you are faithful to God, He will honour you when you lay a demand on your calling. But if you are not, be sensible enough not to make such demands

Bible In One Year:

Numbers 28-30

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Watch Enemy's Weaknesses - RCCG Open Heavens Devotion Wednesday 17th July 2013

WATCH ENEMY’S WEAKNESSES BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 1 Corinthians 9:26

Read:

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Open Heavens Message

“And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.”
Judges 16:6

If you want to bring down your enemy and your focus is on an area where he is strong, it may take you quite a while to get him. Usually, the enemy focuses on the weaknesses of those he wants to get. In the game of boxing, the same is true. If you are planning to take on an opponent, you will immediately commence detailed enquiry on the fellow. You would want to have video recordings of previous fights he has had. You will want to also know if he has ever been wounded in a fight before and the exact location on his body.

Once you get this scar, your focus will be how to reopen the wound through concentrated heavy blows. If you can do this, you will secure cheap victory. No wonder Paul was successful in his battles against the kingdom of darkness. In 1 Corinthians 9:26, Paul says
“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air”.

Just as the devil studies you in order to identify your weaknesses before drawing out his game plan, so also must you study the devil and his cohorts to identify their weaknesses and limitations so as to know how to contain them. Know that your enemies have weak points too! They have scars from battles they fought and lost to believers of every age. If you know these weaknesses, they will hardly take you unawares. To discover these, search the scriptures regularly. Carefully study the different times the enemy tempted people but failed. Also find out how they succeeded in tempting others who fell into temptation.

One weakness of your enemy is that even though he can mobilise his forces to besiege his target for a period of time, God does not allow him to sustain that situation of siege forever. Satan may be patient but he does not have the ability to sustain that patience for too long. This is why you must not just resist him, but continue to resist him until he tires. You can wear out your enemy! In a temptation or a trial situation, never give up until the tempter gives up. Every time he tempts you on that situation, repeatedly say No to him. If you continue to say No, God will give you more strength, and before long, you will be triumphant.

Bible In One Year:

Numbers 25-27

Key Point
If you can study your enemies very well, you will know how to defeat them repeatedly.

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Fulfilling His Purpose - RCCG Open Heavens Devotion Monday 15th July 2013

FULFILLING HIS PURPOSE BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Ephesians 1:11

Read:
Ephesians 1:9-12

Open Heavens Message
Isaiah 60:1 commands us to arise and shine. To shine is to fulfill purpose. In Mark 10:46-52, when Bartimaeus was led to Jesus and He commanded his eyes to be opened, He was simply asking his eyes to fulfill the purpose for which they were created. No part of your body is there just for fun: every part has a purpose. Also in Acts 3:1-8, when Peter commanded the lame man to walk, he was only asking the legs to fulfill their purpose. Whenever Jesus heals or delivers an individual, it is in connection with creating fresh avenues for the fellow to fulfill divine purpose. In Mark 8:14-16, Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law so that she could serve – fulfill her purpose.

Are you sick? The healing power of God will touch and heal you so that you can fulfill God’s purpose. God’s purpose for the man of Gadara was to be an evangelist, so when He came to him and met him occupied with insanity – which is the devil’s purpose, He delivered him and he fulfilled his purpose as an evangelist. Anything hindering you from fulfilling God’s purpose for your life shall be removed by the power of the Holy Ghost. In Esther 4:13-16, when the nation of Israel was facing organized extermination plans, Mordecai met Queen Esther and told her to fulfill her purpose. May you fulfill your purpose as president, governor, senator, minister, pastor, leader, etc. You are not occupying that vantage position for your own purpose but for His divine purpose.

You are not there to serve yourself, but to both serve and please Him. To allow you get into that office or position, He has displaced several other people who want to occupy it. Are you justifying His decision to choose you to serve His purpose? Have you been ordained? If yes, do you know that you were not just ordained just to bear a title or so that people will begin to address you by your title, but to fulfill His purpose? God did not call you into the office of a pastor or evangelist so that you can go about shaking your head and announcing that a great man of God is coming, but to preach His Word, win souls, disciple converts, lay hands on the sick, etc. Are you fulfilling His purpose? You cannot shine until you do this

Key Point
The position a believer occupies, the resources and achievements he gets and every opportunity that comes his or her way are all to help the fellow fulfill a divine purpose.

Bible In One Year:
Jeremiah 17-20

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Self Prophecy - RCCG Open Heavens Devotion Sunday 14th July, 2013

SELF PROPHECY BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Joel 3:10

Read:

Mark 5:25-34

Open Heavens Message
What you say about yourself and about your situation in the midst of a crisis is of keen interest to both God and the devil. When the Israelites kept speaking of dying in the wilderness when confronted with little challenges, it got to a time that God gave them what they had been confessing – death (Numbers 14:26-39). On the other hand, the Shunammite woman kept confessing that ‘All will be well’ and later that ‘All is well’ and her dead child came back to life.

What are your confessions? Stop complaining, murmuring and grumbling as these will never help you. Rather, confess what you want about the situation. Mark 11:23-24 says if you command the mountain to relocate and you doubt not, it will be so and you will have what you say. When people are saying trouble is coming, reply them by saying ‘All will be well’. It does not matter what anybody may say: what matters is what God hears from you, which will determine your future. What are you saying in God’s ears?

Some people take note of what other people – particularly experts are saying about health, economy, etc. but they hardly ever say something good to themselves. The statement – ‘All will be well’ from the Shunammite woman was only a self prophecy and God honoured it. She did not wait for Elijah before speaking prophetically into her life. Why don’t you learn to prophesy into your life? When I wake up in the morning, I go before my mirror and begin to prophesy to myself: ‘it is going to be well with me’, ‘I will find favour from God and men’, etc.

When things took a negative turn in the situation of the woman with the issue of blood and there seemed to be no way out, she resorted to self prophesy. She said, “if I can touch the helm of Jesus’ clothes, I shall receive my healing”. She touched and she was whole. Some people see self prophesy as self deception. They will query it by saying: How do I say all is well when all is not well? Joel 3:10 says that is how to engage words: confess strength in time of weakness, health in time of sickness, wealth in time of poverty, freedom in time of bondage, etc. Use your words to beautify your life by confessing what you desire. The Lord will honour your confession.

Key Point
Your confessions affect your receipts. Some people are receiving bad things today and they wonder why. They have forgotten that in some recent or distant past, they used their mouths to call such things to themselves.

Bible In One Year:

Jeremiah 13-16

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Time-Bound Assignments - RCCG Open Heavens Devotion Saturday 13th July, 2013

TIME-BOUND ASSIGNMENTS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastics

Read:

Esther 4: 13-14

Before a decree to kill all male children born to Israelites was passed in Egypt, God had ensured that two God-fearing midwives had been planted in their midst. They were at the right place at the right time for the right reasons. The lord had known what the devil was about to do, so He had gone a step ahead.
Beloved, that place God led you to is not by accident but for a purpose. Another person that was planted to avert the evil plan of the enemy against God's people was Esther.

Just before the execution of the plot of the enemy against the Israelites, Esther rose to the occasion and it was averted. In that negative situation, God has moved a step ahead of the enemy. Before your enemies carry out their evil plot against you, the lord would have executed His plan of deliverance for you. In the name of Jesus, you shall not be a victim in the teeth of your enemies.

For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith he Lord,  thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.'

The purpose of God for the midwives was a good one. He had planned that they would be His instruments of deliverance in the midst of midwives who were loyal to Pharaoh so that Moses would be saved at the time of birth. Their assignment started and ended making sure that Moses was safely and handed over to his mother. For being faithful, God rewarded them for that assignment. This tells us that that certain assignment may be very brief but time-bound. If Shiphrah and Puah were not on duty at the time Moses was born, or if they been distracted by other business affairs outside the hospital, Moses could have died.

God may want you to perform a specific but time-bound assignment: it could be to a blessing of a needy fellow or His servant. A need could suddenly arise that you would be required to meet, if you are too slow, you will loose the opportunity. Do you know that some of such opportunities may never come again? Be proactive and sensitive to the Holy Ghost. Be ready to speedily take up opportunities that God brings your way. Pray that you will be in the right place at the right time, to glorify God.

Prayer Point:
Each time you leave where God has placed you, or fail to do what you were supposed to do, the kingdom of God suffers. Father thank you for adding another year to Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye. Lord, begin a new thing in her life and make her mother of more nations.

Bible In One Year:

Jeremiah 9-12

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Do Something About That Weakness - RCCG Open Heavens Devotion Wednesday 10th July, 2013

DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT WEAKNESS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Romans 6:12

Read:
Judges 16:6-10

While fighting with the enemy, God sometimes helps us by causing the enemy to verbalise their evil intent like it happened to Samson in Judges 16:6. If your enemy tells you his plan towards you, what are you supposed to do? Sometimes, the enemy will be so full of the evil plot that he will spill it out unawares; for the mouth releases what the heart is full of (Matthew 12:34).

If you share your secret with a particular friend, and you observe that your plans are repeatedly frustrated, you don't need a soothsayer to tell you to either cut off from that enemy disguised as a friend or keep your secrets to yourself afterwards. The enemy will do just about anything to know the best way to get at you. One area he will concentrate on is your weak point. He will carefully study you to know your weak point and usually, it does not take him too long to discover this.

Wisdom demands that you first identify your area of weakness before your enemy does. There is no human being without one, yet if you can prayerfully present your weakness to the Lord and follow the instructions of the Holy Spirit, over a period of time, your point of weakness can become your point of strength. If you are easily seduced into lust by looking at naked pictures of the opposite sex, do something fast about it. Avoid being exposed to any form of indecent exposure of the opposite sex - be it live or in pictures. Watch the gate of your eyes carefully.

A particular brother once discovered his weakness in this area and as part of checkmating his flesh, he made sure that whenever he was addressing a lady, he did not look at her eyes. Some people felt he was too weak but he did not mind their comments. All he was concerned about was how to ensure he did not become taken in temptation. Many Christians know their weak points yet they dare their flesh and even the devil, at the end, they become casualty of the power of darkness.

Do you know your weaknesses? What are you doing about them? Prayerfully minimise any exposure to a source of temptation. Use the word of God to renew your mind and to strengthen yourself and ask God to uphold you. You will not fail.

Action Point:
The weakness you ignore will take advantage of you. Daily ask God to turn your weakness into your power of strength.

Bible In One Year:
Jeremiah 1-2

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Sunday March 24 2013

I woke up early for church cuz I got workers-in-progress class at 7:00am. Today is palm Sunday by the way. Went to church early and was on time for the class. It was very interactive. Part of the lesson was restitution. There was something bothering that I wanted to ask but couldn’t. It was too personal to share in the class I guess. Or maybe it’s not really restitution related. I said I will as the assistant pastor privately. I hope I’m not populating the list of things I let lie fallow in the limbo things I wanna discuss with a true pastor. Service was also uplifting. There was youth and singles meeting after service, I couldn’t wait cuz I was expecting a visitor.

After service I went straight to restaurant to eat. I met Obi the wine dealer on my way and we had a chit chat. It kinda delayed me a little. The cloud starting turning so I had to cut the chit chat short. I found my way to the restaurant eventually. Immediately I started eating heaven lifted restraining order on rain and it just fell in its fullness. Instantly everywhere was flooded, trust Lagos and its flood issue. I took my time with the food. The kid I met at the restaurant really served me a large portion, I’m sure his madam would served something smaller that will make me wanna buy extra lol. Hey kid, I thank you specially, it’s like you know the feelings of my tommy. I finished my food which was deeply filling. I can’t say much about the taste. Sometimes you get so hungry that your taste buds malfunctions and starts hallucinating.

I played Asphalt 6 on my phone to pass the time while I sit out the rain. Wondering, will this stop my visitor from coming? The sky finally finished bathing this portion of earth's surface. I walked home. I had a good sleep before my guest arrived. We played catch up and also talked about good old days. Ibe and his wife were around. They didn’t seem to have gone out today at all. I saw my guest off around four o'clock. I couldn’t make call on my phone. MTN must be having some technical issues. I had like N490 call credit and the thing kept telling me 'your account is too low for this call...'.

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