Obeying Without Questioning – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 6th September 2013

Obeying Without Questioning – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 6th September 2013

OBEYING WITHOUT QUESTIONING BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. Jeremiah 7:23

Read:

1 Kings 17:1-5

And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 1 Kings 17:1

And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 1 Kings 17:2

Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 1 Kings 17:3

And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 1 Kings 17:4

So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 1 Kings 17:5

Open Heavens Devotional Message
God is a good and wonderful God but He is not a democrat. Democracy has its benefits but in God’s Kingdom, it has several limitations, hence God adopts a theocratic style of government. If you would be God’s favourite, you must learn to obey Him unquestionably. In 1 Kings 17:1-16, after Elijah announced the seizure of rain, God told him to go to Brook Cherith and that birds will feed him there. He went without asking any questions. If God tells you to go and preach at a particular location you hate to go, would you pretend as if it was the devil that spoke to you? Or would you ask: ‘Father, why me, why not somebody else?’ When the water at the Brook Cherith dried up, and God said, ‘Go and meet the widow’, he did not question but simply obeyed.

Some people have become so learned, enlightened and refined to the point that they query God. They summon God to explain why He wants them to do what He asked them to, or else, they will not obey. If you taste what it means to be a divine favourite for one month, you will do almost anything just to remain His favourite.

Moreover, anyone who wants to be God’s favourite must be ready to spend quality time with Him. A couple who after marriage hardly spend time together, will after several years not be able to show the fruit of their union. The fruit of the Spirit is developed as you spend time in God’s presence, right in the midst of contrary circumstances. So also are gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you want to heal the sick or raise the dead, first go and stay in His presence. There is hardly anyone who walked in the miraculous by the power of the Holy Spirit without being incubated by the Holy Spirit. Do you really want to be His favourite? Even if you are not presently His favourite, you can work your way into being one by the things you do from today. As you pay the price, the Lord will make you His favourite.

Bible In One Year:

2 Samuel 9-12

Key Point
Obeying without questioning is the height of trust, while questioning before obedience is the height of mistrust.



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Communion Destroys Yokes – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Thursday 5th September 2013

COMMUNION DESTROYS YOKES BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
Isaiah 14:5

Read:

Exodus 12:30-36

And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. Exodus 12:30

And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Exodus 12:31

Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. Exodus 12:32

And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. Exodus 12:33

And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. Exodus 12:34

And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: Exodus 12:35

And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. Exodus 12:36

Open Heavens Devotional Message
The importance of the Holy Communion can never be over emphasized. In Exodus 12:30-35, when the Israelites took a similitude of that uncommon meal, it brought about multiple effects. They had lived under a course and suddenly after that meal, the curse was broken and they became a blessing. How? After asking them to go, Pharaoh asked them to bless him also. Are you presently operating under a curse? As you key into the next Holy Communion service, the curse will be broken. Even the people who placed you under that evil spell will come and beg you, and ask you to bless them. Oh how unlimited is the power that is released from the table of the Lord!

Similarly, until that night, they were at the other end of labour. They worked like elephants but took the harvest of ants. Yet, even their pay hardly came. Some people have experienced this at one time too many. It appears there is no value for their services. People are happy to patronise them yet when it comes to paying for such services, they will begin to give all the excuses in the world. Some people will work with all their hearts and sacrifice a lot for an organization, yet, when it comes to receiving their salaries or wages, the directors will reel out list of reasons why such employees should be owed. You do not have to continue like that.

You can change that situation by taking the Holy Communion meal. There are even fraudulent organisations and bosses who refuse to pay their workers with the excuse that there is no money. Yet they are releasing new cars, dedicating new houses and breaking new grounds. The Holy Communion can put an end to such wickedness. However, you have to make up your mind to change that situation or else it will continue. The children of Israel before the meal lived in fear and were treated like animals, or at best as inferior citizens. This season, break the staff of the wicked over your life by prayerfully partaking in the next Holy Communion.

Bible In One Year:

2 Samuel 5-8

Prayer Point
Every yoke of wickedness upon my life, Father destroy it today and set me free.


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Ohio Kidnapper, Ariel Castro Hangs Himself In Prison Cell (US Today)

Ohio Kidnapper, Ariel Castro Hangs Himself In Prison Cell (US Today)

Ohio Kidnapper, Ariel Castro Hangs Himself In Prison Cell (US Today)

In case you don't know who the Ohio kidnapper Ariel Castro is, please read HERE

 Ariel Castro, who was sentenced to life in prison last month for abducting and sexually abusing three young women in his Cleveland home, hanged himself in his cell Tuesday night, according to preliminary results of an autopsy performed early Wednesday.

Castro, 53, was found at 9:20 p.m. ET hanging in his cell at the Correction Reception Center in Orient, Ohio, where he was being held under protective custody.

Prison medical staff attempted lifesaving measures on the scene before he was transported to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and pronounced dead at 10:52 p.m. ET, according to JoEllen Smith spokesperson with the Ohio Rehabilitation and Correction department.

Franklin County coroner Dr. Jan Gorniak said preliminary results of the autopsy confirmed that Castro's death was a suicide and the cause of death was hanging. She said toxicology tests would be completed later.

Castro was not under suicide watch, but was being checked on by guards every 30 minutes.

Smith said in a statement that a "thorough review" of the incident was underway.

The former Cleveland bus driver was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years on Aug. 1 for abducting three young women -- Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight -- over a 10-year period and holding them them captive in chains in his Cleveland home.

They were freed May 6 when Berry, who had a child fathered by Castro during her ordeal, managed to escape and alerted neighbors who called police to the rundown house on Seymour Ave.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said the city's focus would remain on the three victims.

"It is our sincere hope that they will continue to heal and recover," he said Wednesday. "I ask the community to continue to respect the privacy of the survivors so that they can move forward with their lives."

At his sentencing, Castro apologized for his actions but also attempted to blame his acts on an obsession with sex and his own history of being abused as a child, telling the court: "I am not a monster. I'm sick."

Knight, the only victim to face Castro in court, said she would never forgive him for more than a decade of daily abuse.

"I spent 11 years in hell," she told Castro at his sentencing.

"Now your hell is just beginning," she said. "I will overcome all that happened, but you're going to face hell for eternity."

Craig Weintraub, Castro's attorney, tells NBC's TODAYshow Wednesday that his client's family was "devastated by the news"of his death.

He says relatives had visited Castro "a couple of time" since he was moved to the prison about two weeks ago.

The attorney says he realizes that many people will likely view Castro's death as"good riddance," but says he plans to "get to the bottom" of the circumstances surrounding his death. "This is a human being," he says.

Social media users reacted to the news of Castro's death with both anger and joy. On Twitter, users used the hashtag or search term #deadgiveaway to indicate they were tweeting about Castro.

One Twitter poster wrote: "Ariel Castro is gonna rot in hell."

Amid cheers from onlookers, Castro's house was torn down last month by two demolition companies free of charge after Cuyahoga County prosecutor Tim McGinty said he wanted it razed so it would not become a macabre tourist attraction.

Contributing: Yamiche Alcindor in New York, Donna Leinwand in Washington; Associated Press

Post Credits

Post Site: http://www.usatoday.com/

Post Arthur: Melanie Eversley and Doug Stanglin

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelanieEversley

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dstanglin

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Know Your Position In Christ – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Wednesday 4th September 2013

Know Your Position In Christ – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Wednesday 4th September 2013

KNOW YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:6

Read:

Ephesians 2:4-6

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Ephesians 2:4

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2:5

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:6

Open Heavens Devotional Message
The best category of motion is flying. When you fly, you experience fast unhindered progress. One thing to note here is that those who fly use a different medium and follow a different path from those using other categories of motion; they go through the air while the rest go on land. Motion through the airways is at minimal risk of collision with obstruction on like motion on land which is laden with so many obstructions. Those who go by the airways are often closer to the first heaven – the firmament and as a result see more and think more on things above, while those who go by land see more of earthly things and think more on carnal things. Hence, Colossians 3:1 says,

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

The scripture tells us of our spiritual placement, which is why we should be flying in the airways and not moving on the land.

First, Ephesians 1:20-23 says after Jesus was raised from the dead, He was set up at God’s right hand in the heavenly places, far above all the hierarchies of the kingdom of darkness, and as a result, all things are put under His feet. Ephesians 2:6 further tells us,

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

In other words, just as Jesus was raised and set up in heavenly places, so also have we been raised up and set up to sit with Him where He is. Praise God! No wonder He told us in Luke 10:19,

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

This means just as He is above all evil powers, so are we; as He has them under His feet so do we, hence we should tread on them. You cannot tread on what is above you. Beloved, not many of us are flying because we have not received the revelations in these passages. If you can catch this revelation of your through position in Christ, it will affect your motion in all areas of life.

Bible In One Year:

2 Samuel 1-4

Key Point
If you are up, the things below you can easily come under your control.




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Romance Tips: 5 Things Romantic Men Know (Huffingtonpost)

Romance Tips: 5 Things Romantic Men Know (Huffingtonpost)

Romance Tips: 5 Things Romantic Men Know (Huffingtonpost)

This post about the 5 things romantic men know is spot on. It is a good read for every man romantic or not as well as the women folk.

Sometimes I have to just ask myself "Why aren't men smarter about showing women how they feel?" I look at the women I know and honestly, we're a pretty predictable lot. It's pretty easy to figure out that we want to feel loved. But so many women feel that their man doesn't show them enough love that I have to wonder why this is so hard for men.

So I asked the most romantic guy I know how he manages to be so good at it. He's just an average guy, but he makes sure the woman he loves knows his feelings for her.

I was surprised at his response. With a shy kind of smile, he said his guy friends ask him the same thing. His friends (and maybe a majority of men) are clueless on how to make their wives and girlfriends happy. I guess it's a pretty common problem.

He gives his friends all the same advice - "I tell them to watch every episode of "Sex in the City" that they can get their hands on." Then he explained...

Men Are Practical
Men are much more practical and less frivolous than women are. For example, for a man, a good gift is a ratchet set, a fishing rod, or something to spruce up his car. Men just aren't that thrilled with a bouquet of flowers. They don't understand the point since flowers die. They don't understand because men are practical.

Women Are Sentimental
Women -- in gifts and in actions -- are less practical and more sentimental. For example, when women go on a picnic with someone they love, they want to spend time together and talk over a romantic bottle of wine. Men go on a picnic to eat the food. And, they're wondering why she would choose an ant-infested park to have the picnic in. Why did she? Because the food is the last thing on the woman's mind... she's focused on time spent with someone she loves.

Romantic Men Learn a Women's Mindset
So a romantic man will to be willing to get out of the practical mindset into the sentimental. "You have to understand what romance is from a woman's point of view." was his advice. "This is going to be hard if all you're watching is Die Hard movies. To get into the female mindset, watch Sex in the City."

Romantic Men Know That The Words Must Be Said
Most guys will tell you "My wife knows I love her and I don't need to say it every day." It's as though they think 'It's been stated, it's in the record. We can have the court recorder read it back to prove I've said it'. But, they're wrong. It needs to be said, and even men need to hear that they are loved. Even if it's just a quick "Love ya" at the end of a phone conversation, romantic men say it. And if they're lucky, she'll say it back.

Some Words Will Be Your Last
But, then he pulled out the big guns. At some point in time the conversation you have with that person you love is going to be the last conversation you ever have with them. We are fragile human beings and you never know when you can lose someone. What do you want that conversation to be? Do you want them to know that they're important to you? Romantic men know how important it is.

At the end of this wonderful conversation, I asked how successful his instruction was with his friends was. He said not very. Sadly, for whatever reasons, they didn't take his recommendations.

Whether his friends understood this or not -- I got it! And I vowed to remember and be as good to my man as he has been to me. And, a "Love ya" at the end of a phone conversation isn't so hard when you think about it.

Let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear your stories and what you did so please visit me at www.FirstClassWoman.com.

Post Credits

Post Site: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Post Arthur: Virginia Sullivan

Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/FirstClassWoman

Facebook: www.fb.com/virginia.sullivan33

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Making God Fulfill His Word – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Tuesday 3rd September 2013

Making God Fulfill His Word – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Tuesday 3rd September 2013

MAKING GOD FULFILL HIS WORD BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:18

Read:

James 5:16-18

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. James 5:17

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:18

Open Heavens Devotional Message
In 1 Kings 18:41-45, after the man of God heard the sound of abundance of rain, he spoke it out. Amos 3;8 says.

“The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?”

When God has spoken to you, then you should prophesy. You can declare what He has said except He tells you to keep it to yourself. Beyond declaring it, the man of God embarked upon intense prayer. But why pray when he had already heard from God and he knows what he had heard? Psalm, 115:3 says God does as He pleases. 1 Samuel 2:30 says the same God who earlier made a promise to Eli later revoked His promise. He can say something and because of certain circumstances He can say He is no longer saying so, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Elijah also knew of God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7: 14, that if he approached God in reverence, humility and submission to His will, God will hear and answer.

This is one lesson we ought to learn today. Many times, we take for granted that because God has said something, He will surely do it. We refuse to follow up on His promise. Some of us even do things that offend God, capable of changing His mind, yet we expect Him to remain committed to His promise. The truth is that in the process of time, many people have disqualified themselves from an earlier divine promise. 

Do you take time to pray God’s promises into manifestation? If God says He will give you victory over a particular enemy, hold Him by that promise until He fulfills it. But if it is something negative such as a judgment, go into prayer and fasting and humble yourself yielding completely to Him, so that He can reverse it. While holding on to God in prayer, ensure you do everything to please Him. Praise Him. Worship Him with your whole heart. Obey all His instructions and make Him happy. Keep totally away from sin and also remind Him of His Word. When you do all these, He will surely answer you.

Bible In One Year:

1 Samuel 29-31

Action Point
Thank God for what He has promised you. Now ask Him to bring it to pass today.



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Healthy Eating: 5 Salad-Bar Toppings To Just Pretend Don't Exist (Glamour)

Healthy Eating: 5 Salad-Bar Toppings To Just Pretend Don't Exist (Glamour)

Healthy Eating: 5 Salad-Bar Toppings To Just Pretend Don't Exist (Glamour)

Salads, I love salads. Whats the right salad topping to go with it when you are eating healthy conscious?

Salads can be tricky things. I mean, even though they might have things like lettuce in them—and, heck, the word "salad" in their names—that doesn't mean they're necessarily the best healthy-eating choices. In fact, some restaurant salads can pack as many as 1,300 calories per dish!

Also Read: Healthy Living: 20 Superstar Superfood For Super Healthy Heart

So salad bars are especially good because you can control what goes on your salad, keep an eye on your portions—and, what I find is an extra-special bonus, make it exactly with the stuff you like most. The only problem is when the stuff you like is yummy—but not really all that healthful. (Looking at you, mayo-filled noodles!)

Experts say these are some of the big health bombs to avoid at the salad bar:

Bacon Bits.

The crunchy, salty little nuggets—which aren't even necessarily made of real bacon—have basically no nutritional value. Two tablespoons are as much as 100 calories, with almost 400mg of sodium, which is about 1/4 of your recommended daily salt intake.

Dried Cranberries And Raisins.

Fruit is fine on salads, right? Definitely—especially if it's fresh. But, as Jillian Michaels says, there's a reason dried cranberries are called "nature's candy"—they actually contain about 29g of sugar per portion. And lots of us pile way more than one portion on our salads.

Cheese And Creamy Dressings.

OK, cheese isn't all bad—it can deliver a nice shot of protein and calcium. But you have be careful about the kinds you choose (even cottage cheese at salad bars is usually the whole-fat variety), and, of course, how much you put on. Sprinkling on just a bit of flavorful varieties, like Parmesan or gorgonzola, can help keep fat grams down. And creamy dressings—well, you probably already know that they can add on calories fast. If you simply replace the ranch and blue cheese dressings with balsamic vinaigrette or non-creamy Italian, you cut the calories practically in half.

Nuts
Glazed nuts. Sweet and crunchy, yes! But they can add 180 calories to your salad, which is basically the same as an entire packet of chocolate candies.

Fried chicken or shrimp. Adding lean protein to your lettuce leaves is a definite do—but these fried varieties are just disasters. A three-ounce portion of fried chicken adds 15g of fat to your salad!

What are your favorite healthful salad toppings? And how do you avoid going overboard at the salad bar?

I like to hear your healthy eating approach regarding salad bar toppings.

Post Credits

Post Site: http://www.glamour.com/

Post Arthur: Lexi Petronis

Lexi Petronis is a health writer. Loves '80s music, spin class, and velvet-nosed kittens. Wishes nachos were a food group.

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexipetronis

Email: vitamingglamour@gmail.com

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