PROVOKING POSITIVE CHANGE - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20
Read: Matthew 15:21-28
21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Message
Change is one event that is constant in life. Change denotes movement from one state to another. There are two categories of change: positive and negative. Due to the fact that change can either be positive or negative, Africans would say: “Change is good for the poor but bad for the rich”. Change in life is constant, certain and inevitable. Sometimes, change in a certain direction can be provoked, prolonged, shortened, averted or delayed. In today’s reading, we are told of how a particular woman experienced positive change. She was a Canaanite woman. She had a daughter who was grievously vexed with a devil. She desired a positive change –recovery and wholeness for her daughter. Her expectation was almost dashed until she provoked positive change. This season, you will provoke positive change from the Most High God in Jesus’ Name.
From this story of the Canaanite woman, we can learn a few lessons. The first thing to note is that she cried for mercy. She told the Lord how things were with her. She did not pretend like some people do. In 2 Kings 2:19-22, the inhabitants of Jericho provoked positive change from the Most High when they confronted Elisha with their situation of helplessness. Again, when faced with discouragement and apparent delay, the Canaanite woman persisted in worshiping the Lord. True worship will provoke positive change. John 4:23 says,
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
Do you want to provoke positive change? Make up your mind to worship God in spirit and in truth. Matthew 15:7-9 presents a category of people who are hypocritical in worship. These are the people whose hearts are far from God. I pray that you won’t be among those whose hearts are far from God. Another lesson from this story is faith. The woman provoked positive change by her great faith (Matthew 15:28). To emphasise the importance of faith, God in four separate places said: “The just shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38). Faith is acting on the word of God (James 2:18). Are you passing through a negative situation? Are people aware of your predicament but no one seems to care? God cares. If you don’t lose faith, there will definitely be light at the end of the tunnel.
Action Point: Pick an area of your life where you need positive change and follow the example of the Canaanite woman to provoke positive change in this area.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 18th]
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REASONABLE SERVICE - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD? 1 Chronicles 29:5
Read: Hebrews 7:26-28
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins,and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Message
Service is good, but no service is acceptable before God without the servant working with Him. Working with God is serious business. It requires consecration i.e. setting apart an object or person to the worship and service of God. For a true believer in Christ, this is a life of service and worship that follows our commitment to take up our cross and follow the Lord Jesus. This denotes giving ourselves up to Christ as persons bought with a price and no longer our own. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says,
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
Consecration is not necessarily volunteering for full-time service, though that might come up along the line. In Romans 12:1-3, we learn that there are three characteristics of consecration. These are: 1. Consecration is a voluntary decision. 2. Consecration is a personal decision. 3. Consecration is a sacrificial decision. These three elements of consecration involve two actions. The first is giving up the will or sacrificing one’s will to God (Hebrews 10:7). The second action is God’s acceptance of the sacrifice which has been made (Romans 12:1). When you give up your will for God’s will, you will hear the voice of God (Act 13:2), set yourself apart from sins and devote yourself and your substance to God (Isaiah 52:11, Micah 4:13). God expects that a believer’s total life would be consecrated to the Lord Jesus Christ. This includes the feet to carry the gospel everywhere, the hands to help victims of circumstance, the ears to hear the cries of demonically and economically oppressed people and the use of time for the glory of God (Ephesians 5:16). Consecration results in a life governed by the wisdom of God and controlled by the Holy Spirit. It results in a joyous and happy life of victory over sin, self and Satan. God should come before gold. Your life is not meant to be spent on self-indulgence and career advancement alone. Your life is a privilege and a responsibility to be lived according to the will of God through consecration. This is your reasonable service.
Key Point: Our service becomes acceptable when we consecrate our all to God.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 17th]
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HE’LL LEAD YOU TO HOLINESS – Gloria Copeland
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." (Titus 2:11-12)
If we want to enjoy the grace and power of God in one area of our lives, we need to be willing to have it in other areas. We can't selectively obey God in certain areas and not in others. We can't be holy in one area and not another. We have to give Him our entire lives. If we want to enjoy the blessing and favor of God in our midst, then we'll have to receive the grace of God that teaches us to deny ungodliness everywhere. The Apostle Paul says, "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:13-14). Paul is telling us that although grace has freed us from the Law, it has obligated us to walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit will never condone sin in our lives.
On the contrary, He will lead us to put to death immoral desires and activities. If you will fellowship with God and stay in living contact with Him, the Holy Spirit will lead you into holiness. He will say to you, for example, Stop using that profane language. Use words that glorify the Lord. Or Stop reading those worldly novels and read more of the Word. Now that may sound like a legalistic requirement, but it's not. Here's why: It's the favor of God that He corrects us. He is teaching us how to live free. Another part of that grace is that you don't have to do it in your own strength. Whatever the Holy Ghost asks us to do, He also empowers us to do. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that He gives us the strength to overcome every temptation. That's why the New Testament speaks to us in such strong terms about holiness. Nowhere does it say, "Well, I know you Christians have been sinning a lot lately. But, hey, I understand. Life is tough and at least you're trying." No! It just says, "Be ye holy" (1 Peter 1:15).
We have no excuse for living unholy lives. By grace, God not only tells us what we need to do to be holy-He gives us the ability to do it! And, I'm telling you, it is high time we started using that ability. We've reached the end of this age. Jesus is coming sooner than we think. It is time to get the slack out of our lives and become absolutely focused on God. It's time to drop everything that pulls us away from Him. It's time to get our flesh under control and yield only to the Holy Spirit. Don't yield to the temptation that it's impossible to live holy before Him. That's a lie! He's empowered you and enabled you to succeed. He's given you His grace to see you through. Yield to obedience in every area. Yield to His Spirit. He'll lead you to holiness. He is doing you a favor.
Scripture Study: Romans 6:1-22
[Pursuit Of His Presence, June 16th]
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HANG ON – Kenneth Copeland
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
Did you know that the battleground for the problem you're facing right now is in your mind and on your lips? If you'll hit the devil with the Word and cast the care of the situation over on God, you'll win.
Let me warn you though, hanging onto the Word isn't always easy. The devil knows that if he doesn't steal it from you, you'll use it to enforce his defeat.
So don't be surprised if he sends an evil spirit to exalt itself against the Word of God. If you're sick, he may begin to tell you, "You're not healed. You know that healing's not for today. Even if it were, it wouldn't work for you. It might work for somebody else but not you."
If he starts to tell you that kind of thing, don't buy it! Don't start worrying around about it and thinking, "Oh my, I'm afraid I'm not going to get healed. I sure don't feel healed. Why, I'm probably going to just get worse and worse...."
Remember this: It's the Word that does the work, not the one holding onto it. It'll work for anybody who'll put it to work. It'll work for you just like it worked for Jesus when He walked the earth.
He told Satan, "It is written!" No matter what the devil tries to tell you, refuse to let go of the Word. Tell him what is written concerning your situation. Let the Word fight its own fight. It'll whip the devil every time.
Scripture Study: Psalm 19:7-14
[From Faith To Faith, June 16th]
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REFLECTING GOD’S IMAGE – Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27
Read: Psalm 8:3-6
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
Message
The work of creation as recorded in the book of Genesis reveals God’s great variety, beauty, exactness, accuracy, power and order. Man was the epitome of God’s creation. He was made last of all the creatures and as soon as he was made, he had the whole visible creation before him to enjoy. It is also interesting to note that man was made in the image of God and after his likeness. God gave him authority over other creatures and made man His representative on earth.
“Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou has put all things under his feet.” Psalm 8:8
In spite of all this, many people are living in ignorance. They roam about the surface of the earth without fulfilling their destiny. As God’s representative on earth, you have been honoured with an open cheque. You have the right to exercise authority over God’s creatures. It is your duty to reflect the image of God. In what ways should you reflect the image of God? Taking a cursory look at Genesis 1:26, it is logical to conclude that the soul of man bears the image of God. The soul is no doubt the seat of knowledge, emotion and instinct. These faculties can be described as the brightest and clearest looking-glass in nature through which we see God. Since like begets like, the soul of man should be God-like to reflect the image of God. In effect, your soul must be regenerated. One way to reflect the image of God is by being born-again and by living in holiness on a daily basis (1 Peter 1:14-16). God is holy and we can reflect His image by living holy. In His purity and rectitude, God’s image upon man consists in knowledge, righteousness and true holiness. A true child of God should reflect God’s image in his or her discussion. Again we should ensure that our righteousness is intact in Christ and we should abstain from all appearances of evil. Another way to reflect the image of God is by walking in love. As Christians, we should love one another. You reflect the image of God when you put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy communication out of your mouth. You reflect the image of God when you do not allow your decisions and actions to be clouded by tribalism, racism and nepotism. You reflect the image of God when, if any man has a quarrel with you, you forgive the person even as Christ forgave you. Finally, you reflect the image of God when you are thankful and allow the word of God to dwell in you in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16).
Key Point: The soul of a regenerated person bears the image of God.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 16th]
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EVERYONE HAS CHILDREN – Kenneth Copeland
"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them." (1 John 5:16)
Years ago, I was like any parent. I was facing an awesome responsibility with little to no training! So I did what I've learned to do about everything. I sought the Lord. As I sought the Lord regarding them, God gave me two very important instructions that have literally changed the lives of my children. I have carried them through with my grandchildren and it is amazing how powerful they are. 1) Don't magnify their sin. Remember, they are not just your children, they are your brothers and sisters in Jesus. The Word says where you see a brother sin, ask or pray and God will give you life for them (1 John 5:16). In Galatians 6:1, the Word says, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Restore!
That means work to put back together. We must magnify the Word and the love of God, and pray. Bind the devil and let him know he cannot have your children. 2) Treat them with respect. Remember to confess Isaiah 54:13, that they are taught of the Lord and great is His Anointing on them...and then act in faith on that Word promise. Treat them like they are God's anointed even when they act like the very devil. Now this does not mean you don't correct, and it doesn't mean you ignore wrong conduct, but you do the correcting with respect and in love. If you desire and demand respect from them, then demand respect from yourself for them. "Brother Copeland, I don't have any children." Yes, you do. Everyone has children. They are all around you. They are on the streets. They are in your church. They are such a large part of our society that they affect everything we do. Begin to pray for the outpouring of God on the children around you. This is God's time for the children. This is harvest time among the young people.
Every time you hear of violence on TV about children, say out loud, "Our children are taught of the Lord and great is the peace and anointing that's on them." Amen!
Scripture Study: Psalm 127
[Pursuit Of His Presence, June 15th]
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CAST YOUR CARES ON HIM – Kenneth Copeland
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:6)
When I first learned to cast my cares on the Lord, I was down in south Texas preaching a meeting that nobody was coming to. I'm telling you, people were staying away from that meeting by the thousands; and after a service or two with just the preacher, one or two others and me in attendance, I was starting to sweat it. But the Lord said, "Cast that care on Me," so I did.
I started walking around grinning and whistling. I told the devil, "I'm not going to frown or have one worried thought. I came here to preach and that's what I'm going to do, and it's God's business whether anyone shows up or not. I couldn't care less!"
I went around so happy I felt downright foolish. The devil said, "What's the matter with you? Don't you even have sense enough to worry over something like this?" I suppose people were saying, "I guess he's too dumb to worry. I think it's because he's never been to seminary. He can't tell a landslide from a flop."
But I told the Lord, "I have my care rolled over on You, and if nobody shows up but that one dear old woman, she's going to be the most preached-up old woman in the state of Texas because I'm going to preach just the same as if there were a crowd."
I didn't realize then what was happening, but that carefreeness put me in a non-compromising position with the devil. He couldn't get to me anymore. He couldn't get me in fear and unbelief anymore. He couldn't pressure me and get me to compromise because I didn't care. I'd given all my care to God!
Are you ready to be free of care? If you are, just make this confession of faith:
I'm a believer. I'm not a doubter. The Word works in me; and at this moment, I humble myself under the mighty hand of God. I cast all my care over on Him. From this moment forward, I refuse to worry. Instead, I will pray. I will use my faith and believe, and He'll exalt me over the problem and over the devil. For I belong to Jesus and He cares for me!
Scripture Study: Psalm 55:16-22
[From Faith To Faith, June 15th]
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REMAINING AS LIGHT – Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Matthew 6:22
Read: James 1:17-22
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Message
When you look at the account of creation in Genesis 1:1-3, and observe the pre-eminence given to light, you will realise that one of the most pleasing events to God is when His children shine. As lights, we are expected to shine. Are you shining in your family, place of work, church, society, town, state, province or country? Can the Almighty God see you as light wherever you are located? May you never disappoint the Lord in Jesus’ Name. One of those who shone as light of the world was the man Abraham. His light was so bright that God could vouch for him. Genesis 18:19 says this about him:
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”
Can God vouch for you? Can God see you as light in the midst of darkness? How bright is your light? How much of God’s light do you reflect at your place of work, church or whatever little corner of the world you are in? Jesus in Matthew 5:16 said:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
One of the ways to shine is through soul-winning. This is the primary mandate of believers. To shine therefore, we should make soul-winning a continuous practice till Jesus comes back in power and glory (Acts 1:6-8, 2 Timothy 4:5). You can achieve the mandate to win souls by preaching the gospel through witnessing and tracts distribution. Souls won must be prayed for regularly and followed up to avoid loss (John 15:16). You can also shine as light by attending to the needs of the less privileged (Matthew 25:41-45). You need refuelling in order to sustain your light (Isaiah 40:31). To do this, be conversant with the word of God. Spend quality time reading, studying and practising the word. Listen to sermons of seasoned and anointed men of God. Spend quality time in worship, prayer, thanksgiving and intercession on a daily basis. We should also avoid pollution in order to shine. Our light can be polluted. Most times, what pollutes our light is weight. The weight that can pollute our light and render it impotent is sin. Easily-besetting sins like gossiping, exaggeration, hatred, variance, wrath, strife, envying, drunkenness etc, can pollute our light and keep us from shining. Identify all sins that can pollute your light, confess them to God, repent and change. It is your time to shine.
Prayer Point: Father, let your light shine through me to the whole world.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 15th]
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GOD HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH! - Gloria Copeland
"My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
Do you remember the elder brother in the story of the prodigal son? His younger brother had asked for his share of the inheritance, so the boys' father divided his estate between them. The younger brother ran off and squandered his share of the estate on a sinful lifestyle. The elder brother stayed home and faithfully served his father. When the younger brother repented and returned home, asking only to be treated as a servant in his father's house, the father received him with open arms. He killed a calf for him so they could celebrate with a feast because he had come home. He put a robe on his back and a ring on his finger. The older brother was furious and pointed out to his father that he'd always been faithful to serve him and that the father had never killed a fatted calf for him! The father's answer to him is very important to us.
We need to consider it very carefully: "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine" (Luke 15:31). The father had divided his estate between his two boys. Therefore, after the younger brother had taken his goods and departed, everything that was left belonged to the elder son. Everything! He could have eaten a fatted calf every day if he'd wanted. Every animal on the estate belonged to him, but he didn't take advantage of his inheritance!
A multitude of Christians are going to find themselves in the same situation when they get to heaven. They're going to find out after they get there what belonged to them down here. They're going to realize too late that they were cheated and swindled out of their earthly inheritance by religious tradition. They're going to find out that God has always wanted His people to live in abundance, and all He has is ours. He put every good thing in this earth for His family. He didn't put riches here for the devil and his family. He put them here for us. God wants you to live in a good house. He wants you to have the car you need. He wants you to be so blessed you don't even have to think about those things. He wants you to be able to think about Him instead of thinking about how you're going to buy your next tank of gas!
Listen, God isn't anywhere near broke! He has enough wealth to richly supply all of His children. Lack is not His problem. His problem has been getting His people to believe what He says about their prosperity in His Word. His problem has been getting us to be kingdom-of-God-minded in our finances. So go beyond what you can figure out...and just trust Him to do what He has promised. Base your actions, your prayers and your faith on what the Word says, and not your circumstances. Get kingdom-of-God-minded!
Scripture Study: Luke 15:11-32
[Pursuit Of His Presence, June 14th]
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KNOW GOD'S WILL - Kenneth Copeland
"Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." (Psalm 127:1)
What a time of monumental decisions and changes we're living in. If there ever was a day when you and I must know God's will and purpose for our lives, it's now.
In fact, nothing else is going to work! God is changing and rearranging things, lining them up for the endtime move of the Spirit. If you're going to keep up, you must know God's perfect plan for your life--and how to carry it out in His power!
How do you do that? Through prayer.
In fact, God has provided us a prayer in His Word that we can use to receive the wisdom and understanding we need for this critical time. You'll find it in Colossians 1:9-11:
"For this cause we...do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of [God's] will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness."
In recent months, God has instructed Gloria and me to pray that prayer for our ministry partners and for ourselves every day. It's a powerful, Holy Ghost-inspired prayer that will not only enable you to know what God's will is, but to have the wisdom and understanding to carry it out.
Once we get a glimpse of God's will for our lives in the Spirit, let's not mess things up by trying to carry it out in the flesh. Let's not try to build the house ourselves and end up doing it all in vain. Instead, let the Lord build the house in His power.
Pray this prayer that God has given us. It was written in the New Testament for you. Put your name in it. It's a prayer you can be sure God will answer. Put it to work in your life daily and God will fill you with His knowledge and understanding!
Scripture Study: Colossians 1:9-22
[From Faith To Faith, June 14th]
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MOVING ON – Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: Deuteronomy 1:6
Read: Deuteronomy 1:6-8
6 The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: 7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.
Message
God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and as such, He is familiar with His creation to the extent that He knows that human beings are averse to making changes in life. We have a terrible tendency of becoming attached to locations and activities, such that we refuse to move on when we should. Consequently, God gave the call for His people to move on at different times in the Bible. For the children of Israel in the wilderness, the taking up of the cloud from the tabernacle of testimony was a signal that they should prepare to move on (Numbers 10:11-13). People prefer to continue doing what they have done repeatedly for years because they have gotten used to it and feel at home with familiar activities and environments. We stay on activities longer than we should, meetings run longer than necessary and we prefer to maintain the status quo. Sometimes, in order to avoid making changes, we even ignore God’s directives.
The truth is that we fear the unknown and would rather not take the risk of charting a new course. Meanwhile, progress can only come when we dare to move forward. We prevent God from doing marvelous things in our lives because we are so fearful and faithless that we refuse to move forward. Moreover, all the heroes of the Bible, from Abraham, to Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David and the prophets were all made to pass through the process of change in order to fulfill their destiny. Therefore, change is tied to success and is inevitable for anyone who would be successful in life. In Deuteronomy 1:6-8, God called Moses from the mountain where he was complacent, to enter the land of the Amorites and Canaanites where there were great warriors. This instruction appeared to be a risk to the lives of the children of Israel, but Moses obeyed in Deuteronomy 2:1-3:
“Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days. And the LORD spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.”
However, reluctance is evident in his obedience, as they foot-dragged for many days until the Lord spoke again that they should turn towards the North. What is God calling you to do now? What comforts is He calling you to leave behind? What have you been ignoring? Have faith and move on.
Prayer Point: Father, wherever you lead me I promise to follow; please help me to be receptive to changes.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 14th]
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BLESSINGS BY THE BUSHEL – Kenneth Copeland
"And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you." (Mark 4:24)
How many blessings are you going to receive from the Word of God? It depends on how many you expect to receive. When God measures them out to you, He'll be using your measuring stick, not His own. He always works that way.
Two people can hear God's Word about healing, for example. One will measure it with faith. "Praise God, by His stripes I was healed!" he'll say. "I believe that with all my heart, and I'm going to keep on believing it until I receive my healing."
The other will measure it with skepticism. "I don't care what Bible verses he comes up with," he'll say. "I just don't trust that preacher. I'll give this healing stuff a try, but I doubt very much if anything's going to come of it."
Both of those people will get exactly what they expect. God will measure to them just as they measured the Word. One will get healed...the other won't.
I must warn you though, sometimes measuring the Word with faith is hard. Years ago, when Gloria first read the scripture, "Owe no man anything," it was tempting for her to measure it as a curse, not a blessing. We were living in a terrible little house at the time, and she wanted a new one more than just about anything.
How were we ever going to buy a decent house without borrowing? It didn't seem possible. So, to her, it was as if that scripture had said, "Gloria, you can't have a new house."
But she refused to measure it that way. She grabbed the devil by the throat and said, "Look here now, you're not going to cheat me out of my house." Then she started believing that somehow God could provide her with a house debt free. Sure enough, He did.
If you want to receive blessings by the bushel load, start going to the Word with a bushel basket. Put a big measure of faith in the hand of God. He'll fill it to overflowing and give it right back to you!
Scripture Study: Luke 8:1-18
[From Faith To Faith, June 13th, 2014]
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WHEN YOU MOVE, MOUNTAINS ARE REMOVED! (PART 2)- Bishop David O. Abioye
All the difficulties that are hanging around you now are simply waiting to see your action. When you start moving they will move. Stop talking about your beautiful plans and the things you hope to do soon. Start doing something now! “Soon” is a language of deception. It keeps people hoping endlessly until they waste. If you introduce massive action into your life, in a short while, you will become a man of your dreams.
The Bible says concerning the disciples, “They went forth everywhere, the Lord working with them…” (Mark 16:20). God’s help is available in its fullness for those who take steps. Even in the natural, when you start taking steps, you become a rallying point, people become eager to help you.
A great door and effectual is opened before you and God will not take away the adversaries. You have to discipline yourself to keep your eye off the adversaries, focus on the open door and keep moving towards it. That is when you will begin to see possibilities in the midst of impossibilities; you will begin to see a way around the mountain that is intimidating you.
Mediate on these: Numbers 13:30, Prov. 26:14
[Daily Devotional, June 13th, 2014]
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FROM A DOG TO A PRINCE – Kenneth Copeland
"And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually." (2 Samuel 9:7)
Most people know the story of the covenant between David and Jonathan. The Word says, "The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul" (1 Samuel 18:1). These two men, a sheepherder and a prince, entered into a blood covenant with one another. What most people don't know is what happened after Jonathan died. The covenant relationship continued between Jonathan's son Mephibosheth and David. You see, David's unconditional love (hesed) didn't end the day Jonathan was killed. It remained within him-even though he had become king. Even though he was wealthy and powerful, his covenant with Jonathan still burned inside him. He was so compelled that years later he cried out, "Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" (2 Samuel 9:1). One of Saul's former servants, Ziba, gave David his answer: "Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.... Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar" (verses 3-4). When David sent for him, Mephibosheth was afraid David would kill him. He came into the palace, threw himself at David's feet, and began to religiously bawl and squall about what an unworthy dog he was (verses 6-8). David didn't even acknowledge his unworthy dog talk. In his eyes, Mephibosheth wasn't a dog. He was a rich man. He just didn't know it. David had kept his covenant with Jonathan...and all of Jonathan's wealth had been set aside for an heir.
All Mephibosheth's life he had been covenanted to David, but he didn't know it. David was as much his father as Jonathan was because of the blood covenant between them. That's the message of God's prosperity. Mephibosheth didn't do anything to become prosperous. Someone sent for him, picked him up, and placed him in the middle of the most prosperous situation he'd ever seen in his life. Someone loved him-not because of anything he had done, but because he was the heir of a blood covenant. Once you grasp that, you won't ever believe you don't deserve to be healed, blessed or delivered. You didn't do anything to get where you are except receive Jesus. Once you did that, the Holy Spirit "fetched" you and placed you in the middle of the abundance of God Himself.
You are surrounded by His blood. You are filled with His Spirit. You are crowned with His crown. And you wear the robe of His righteousness. Receive who you are in Christ Jesus today. Live like the son or daughter of the King. You're a prince...destined to live in abundance in your spirit, soul and body.
Scripture Study: 2 Samuel 9
[Pursuit Of His Presence, June 13th, 2014]
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THE YOUNG SHALL GROW - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: Be ye followers of me, even as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
Read: Luke 2:46-50
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
Message
Those who are wise submit to God totally. You must be keenly observant of what your mentor is doing while you are undergoing tutelage if you are to perform at a greater level in future. Elisha had closely observed how Elijah parted the waters, and he emulated him. He got his own miracle. Many times, young people think that they are wiser than the elders. I often remind ambitious young people of this anecdote. I tell my natural and spiritual children that:
“When you are as old as I am, you will understand why I cannot sleep at night. You will know why I go for prayer walks, two, three times a day, and often at night. You will also understand why I fast so often”.
“He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” Daniel 2:22
The best way to learn is by following the example of your teacher. You first learn to write by copying what is written down for you to see, not by creating your own letters and symbols. You may develop your own unique handwriting later,but you first learn to write by copying what is shown to you. Jesus spent thirty years preparing for a ministry of just 3½ years. Today, unfortunately, many think that three years of schooling or training in ministry is all they need for a whole lifetime of actual ministry.
You may know all that your mentor knows, but he does know something. This is why by God’s grace, you must simply learn from him. It is my prayer that as you grow in Him, you will get to a level where the Lord would show you his intended works of healing the sick, delivering the captives and prospering the poor. David captured the essence of following the Lord when he said “I surrender the rest of my life to you; do whatever you like with it” (Psalm 23:1). True Christianity has no room for the lordship of self; once we place our heart and future into the hands of Jesus, He will make our small beginning bring about a glorious ending.
Key Point: If you do what Jesus did, you will get what Jesus got.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 13th]
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PLAY TO WIN – Kenneth Copeland
"Who is he that over cometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:5)
I've often heard people say, "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game." That's nonsense. If you play the game right, you'll win!
Any coach will tell you that part of playing the game right is having a winning attitude. That's what God wants us, as believers, to have. He wants us to have so much faith in Him that we expect to whip any obstacle the devil brings our way. He wants us to expect to win at the game of life.
We don't always come by that attitude easily. We're so accustomed to losing that we have to totally change our way of thinking if we want to have a winning mind-set. In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul told the Church to renew their minds. They needed to change their attitudes, to renew their minds to the fact that Jesus has overcome the world.
If you haven't already, you need to do that too! You need to develop a glorious sense of confidence that says, "Hey, devil, I'm going to be victorious and there's not a thing you can do to stop me!" "But, Brother Copeland, you don't know the kinds of problems I'm facing." I know I don't, but Jesus does and He said you should "cheer up" because He can give you peace in the midst of tribulation. He said that when Satan comes against you with everything he has, you should take heart because He's already beaten it-- Jesus has already overcome it and so can you!
First John 5:5 puts it this way, "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"
Do you know what that scripture means? It means that if you are a born-again believer, you have an absolute right to be a winner, to overcome every aspect of this evil world. Think about that. Meditate on it. Start developing a winning attitude today!
Scripture Study: Romans 8:29-39
[From Faith To Faith, June 12th, 2014]
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WHEN YOU MOVE, MOUNTAINS ARE REMOVED!(PART 1) - Bishop David O. Abioye
The fact that you have set goals for yourself in the year 2012 and have even made plans towards the achievement of those goals does not cancel the possibilities of encountering oppositions on your way. Apostle Paul said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor 16:9). Every door that God opens to you will naturally attract adversaries. It is your action or inaction that determines whether you will enter to possess your possessions or not.
When the Israelites were face to face with the Red Sea, God said to Moses, “Tell my people to go forward,” and as they began to move forward, the sea saw them and fled (Psalm 114:3). The devil is a coward, the only thing he is waiting for is your action. He is not afraid of your vision or your plans, he is only bothered when you begin to take steps. That is why his greatest success against most believers is fear of the unknown. He tells them, “Hey, don’t move! If you invest now, you will lose all your money! What if you take that step and it doesn’t work?” So, they become rooted to the spot, wishing and hoping that something would happen some day.
When the prodigal son said, “I will arise and go to my father”, satan knew he was serious so he cleared off the way and the young man arose and came to his father. The most amazing thing about that story is that, as the son began to take steps, the Bible says, his father saw him afar off and also arose from home. So, they met on the way and the young man was restored to dignity (Luke 15:17-20). When you begin to take steps your blessings begin to move closer to you.
[Daily Devotional, June 12th, 2014]
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LIVING RIGHT - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John 3:9
Read: 1 Peter 2:9-12
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Message
A child of God is the light of the world. Light is the direct opposite of darkness. Everybody welcomes light with a shout of joy. Where there is light, hidden agendas are revealed. Jesus expects us to prove Him right by living according to His description of us. The implication of being called a child of God is that you should cease to live in sin. The most painful experience a Christian could have is for someone to look at you and say: “And you call yourself a child of God!” Unbelievers know that they are not children of God, but they expect a life that is compliant with your confession as a child of God.
Some of us have forfeited many things we could have legitimately fought for, because we do not want anybody to say: “And you said you are a child of God”. I recall the death and burial of the late founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The senior pastors suspected that I was going to be his successor even though nobody had officially said so. They waged war against me. On my part, I prepared for battle by loading myself with some mathematical calculations and putting together some Bible passages I could use as arrows. I was ready for a total showdown spiritually. Along the way, the Lord began to speak to me. He said to me, “As a son of the Prince of Peace, are you supposed to fight?” That was the end of my plan to fight my detractors. Living holy is very costly. But the consequence of not living holy is too terrible to be compared to the cost. It may be hard to remain faithful to your spouse or abstain from sex before marriage. People would mock and dismiss you as being old-fashioned. But when weighed against the awful result of immoral living, such as the likelihood of contracting HIV/AIDS and the consequent perpetual regret, holiness at any cost would be better appreciated.
The Almighty God is not going to change His standards for anyone. He commands us to comply but leaves us to decide. Jesus never advised any of those who hesitated to follow Him to first go home and think about the issue. They had to decide there and then. Self-denial is a basic qualification for discipleship, and it involves fasting and praying when others are sleeping, and studying the Bible while others want to spend time on leisure. It also entails keeping quiet while others are talking or engaging in frivolous past-times.
Prayer Point: Father, help me to see self-denial as a required daily sacrifice for living right.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 12th]
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AWAKE, O SLEEPER! – Gloria Copeland
"Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.... Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people); making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:11, 14-16, The Amplified Bible)
As I was reading this scripture some time ago, that phrase, "Awake, O sleeper," seemed to leap out at me. It reminded me that the "daily-ness" of life can sometimes lull us to sleep spiritually. It can cause us to doze off to sleep. But I believe the Spirit of God is sending out a wake-up call to us today. He is saying, as He did in this verse, "Wake up, Sleeper! The day of the Lord is coming." There are three things that will take us through these evil, end-time days in strength and glory: 1) The Word of God 2) Prayer 3) The Guidance of the Holy Spirit You can overcome every evil that comes against you if you'll keep your faith strong. And the simple key to keeping your faith strong is this: Stay in the Word of God.
By being constant in prayer (Romans 12:12), you can maintain fellowship with your Father. Just talk to Him throughout your day and listen. Being in touch with Him will keep you strengthened. And you'll see your prayers answered. If you keep your spiritual ear tuned to the Holy Spirit, and obey those promptings in your spirit, you'll avoid the pitfalls and traps of the devil. So wake up! Throw off those covers of laziness and indifference and take your position in Christ-the Anointed One and His Anointing. Get in the Word, in prayer and obey the Holy Spirit. Give God first place in your life and He will keep you under His shadow of protection in these last days.
Scripture Study: Ephesians 5:11-20
[Pursuit Of His Presence, June 12th, 2014]
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SEEK THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS GLORY - Kenneth Copeland
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." (James 5:7)
My friend, it is time for the glory. We've reached the last of the last days. We've come to the time about which Zechariah prophesied: "Ask of the Lord rain in the time of the latter or spring rain. It is the Lord Who makes lightnings which usher in the rain and give men showers , and grass to everyone in the field" (Zechariah 10:1, The Amplified Bible).
In this verse, he wasn't just referring to natural rain or natural lightnings. He was referring to that bright, shining cloud of God's glory that would usher in the outpouring of the Spirit and open the way for the end-time harvest of souls. He was pointing to the same day James referred to in the New Testament. Both Zechariah and James were looking ahead to the time immediately preceding the return of Jesus. That's our day! We've reached that time. The glory is beginning to flash around us and the rain has started to fall. It is awe-inspiring to think that God has chosen us-this generation of believers-to be alive at this moment. He has chosen us to help usher in the glory. What a great privilege! But with great privilege comes great responsibility. Because of the time in which we live, we cannot afford to just sit around and play church.
We cannot afford to wave our hands and flippantly say as some have done in years past, "Oh, glory!" without giving any thought to what the glory actually is. No, it is our responsibility to follow the example of the Apostle Paul and make it our determined purpose to know Him (Philippians 3:10). We must determine to know the Anointed One and His Anointing-His burden-removing, yoke-destroying power-and to know the power of His Resurrection, which according to Romans 6:4 is the glory of God.
Some people shy away from that responsibility. They say, "Well, I'm not seeking the glory, I'm just content to seek the Lord." But you can't separate the two. You can't separate Jesus, the Anointed One and His Anointing, from the glory. You can't separate the Holy Spirit from the glory. You can't separate the Father from the glory. They are all one, and They are all glorious! The glory is the manifestation of God Himself. So seek the Lord and the knowledge of His glory.
Scripture Study: 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
[Pursuit Of His Presence, June 11th, 2014]
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FROM DESPERATION TO DEVOTION - Gloria Copeland
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2)
Things, things, things! A better job. A bigger house. New clothes for the kids. Tomorrow's luncheon date. A better television. Get the picture?
Many of us have learned to believe God to prosper us to such a degree that we have too much to keep up with. We end up spending so much time and energy taking care of the legitimate "things" of life that we unconsciously give the attention and affections of our heart over to this natural world instead of to God.
When Kenneth and I first heard about living by faith, we were in desperate circumstances. We were sick and broke, so it was easy for us to dedicate ourselves to prayer and to the Word. But as we honored God's Word, He honored and prospered us. We came to the place where we were no longer desperate. Then came the real test of our faith. Would we serve God out of our love for Him instead of our desperation?
Well, praise God, we did. But in the process we found out one thing: It takes a lot more dedication to serve God when you're prosperous than it takes when you're desperate! There's a constant temptation to get so caught up in the earthly things that your desire for the things of God fades into the background.
As the material blessings of God come your way, remember, God has not trained you in His Word so you can consume it on your own lusts. He has revealed His Word to you so you can walk in the Spirit and do the job He's called you to do.
Don't let the things of this world cause you to miss out on the glorious things of the Spirit. Get your priorities in line with God's Word. Set your mind on things above, and you'll discover just how heavenly life was really meant to be!
Scripture Study: Colossians 3:1-16
[From Faith To Faith, June 11th, 2014]
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EXCEPTIONAL APPRENTICE - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. John 5:19
Read: John 5:5-9
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
Message
An apprentice is someone who is attached to a master to learn his master’s trade, so that he can become like the master someday. An apprentice watches the footsteps of the master and tries to follow them. A good and wise apprentice closely watches everything the master does in order to gain all his knowledge and experience. In John 5:19, Jesus saw Himself as an apprentice of His own Father. He did whatever He saw the Father do. We can learn some deep lessons from this principle of apprenticeship in all areas of Christian activities. A true disciple will not go outside of whatever his master does. The servant is not greater than his master, according to the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 10:24-25). Anyone who learns a trade should consider himself a success if he is as good as his master. Jesus however made an exception for His disciples. He expects us to do the works He did, and exceed them by doing even greater works than He did. I am convinced that for a reader of this devotional, greater works, as promised by Jesus in John 14:12, will be done through you in Jesus’ Name.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
At the time of my new birth in Christ, I was a lecturer of mathematics at the University of Lagos. I considered myself a smart boy in those days, but when I got into the church, my ignorance was revealed to me with humility. The challenge I got from the display of Bible knowledge by uneducated members of the church made me study the Bible as if I was preparing for a PhD examination. As I read the Bible again and again, I was stunned by the promise of Jesus in John 14:12. I saw that those who believe in Him would raise the dead, make the lame walk, open blind eyes and do even more than He did. From that moment, I made up my mind that according to His word, I also would do the works He did, and that I would do even greater works than He did. I decree that you will begin to experience the performance of the Lord’s promise to do the works that He did and even much more, in the mighty Name of Jesus. Doing greater works than Jesus did is real, and that promise has been fulfilled in the lives of many. I am announcing to you that you are next in line, because from now on, you will begin to watch closely everything the Master does, so that you can gain His knowledge and experience.
Key Point: An apprentice watches the footsteps of the master and tries to follow them.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 11th]
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A STEP FURTHER - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Hebrews 12:22
Read: Ephesians 1:15-19
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.
Message
Our redemption in Christ has brought us into the presence of God. This general experience for all believers is where many people still dwell many years after their salvation experience; this ought not to be so. Paul maintained an upward spiritual journey by not resting on his oars. He was not satisfied with any spiritual level he attained. This is not to say that he was not grateful to God at each point of his spiritual journey. In Christ, there is only a starting point but there is no end to spiritual growth because the Lord is infinite in all things (2 Corinthians 3:18). The outstanding carriers of His glory are those who kept going further and further in Him. For some of them, they encountered many miracles, while some others were special instruments for working great miracles. They encountered opposition from those outside the kingdom and even from God’s people. They had peculiar difficulties and weaknesses, but they broke through all barriers to become outstanding carriers of His glory.
To begin your journey into the uncommon realms of God’s glorious presence, you must study some of the secrets of the works of faith (2 Timothy 2:15). The glorious presence of the Lord brought John into another level of a surrendered life. In an attitude of worship, John fell at the feet of Jesus, meaning he retained no opinion of his own anymore (Revelation 1:17). Some Christians would stop at this level if they had John’s kind of encounter. But in the presence of God, there is more ground of glory to encounter and cover.
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Philippians 3:13-15
The spiritual life is like a journey. You may look back and feel satisfied that you have covered much ground, but there is more room above. By comparing themselves with one another, many Christian workers and ministers come short of the fullness of God’s glory. If you feel like a champion among spiritually stagnant believers, you are already stagnant too. Also, feeling satisfied among lukewarm Christian workers is evidence that you are lukewarm as well.
Key Point: You must go further and further until you become outstanding.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 10th]
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Memorise: And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. Acts 16:18
Read: 1 Samuel 5:3-5
3 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. 4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. 5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
Message
There is power in the glorious presence of God. This power is the emission of the power of His Person. The presence of God does not carry less power than the Person of God because the power of His presence is derived from His attributes as God. Right from my early years as General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, I have learnt the secret of victory through the authority of His Name and the power of His presence. I believe that as ambassadors of Christ, it is just enough for demons to see us to flee. From today, demons will flee from you in the mighty Name of Jesus. Demons recognised the Lord’s presence both in the synagogue and outside the synagogue. His presence and words of power were too much for demons to stand. This is my desire for every pastor and house fellowship leader: that you will be so saturated with His divine presence that demons and their agents will find your locations too hot for them. In the church and on the streets, the Lord will fill everywhere with His presence through His representatives so that His salvation, deliverance and blessings can reach all.
The Philistines did not know that the Ark represented the presence of the Almighty God before whom no power can stand. The first time Dagon fell in the presence of God, they thought it was a mistake and they put him up again. By the time he took the final bow in God’s presence, Dagon had lost his limbs, leaving only his stump behind. Demons bow in the presence of God. They recognised the presence of God in Christ and the apostles, and they surrendered to it without argument. If we have enough of God’s presence in our lives, demons will flee upon merely seeing us. Imagine what will happen if we command them in addition to their ready flight from God’s presence in our lives. When the terror of the Lord is upon your enemies for your sake, they dare not touch you, even if you walk through their domain as the children of Jacob did in Genesis 35:5:
“And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.”
They dare not pursue after you or harm you. You must do everything you can to keep the presence of the Lord. Run away from sin and live a holy life. If you have lost His presence already, ensure you reconcile with your Maker today. He will return to you and restore you. You will know His joy again and He shall anoint you with fresh oil, in the mighty Name of Jesus.
Prayer Point: Father, let there be revival in the church like of old.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 9th]
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COMPLETE DELIVERANCE - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:32
Read: Exodus 14:26-31
26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. 29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. 31 And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
Message
Many people in the world today, including some ignorant spirit-filled born-again Christians, are groaning under demonic oppressions and all kinds of bondage. They may not be demon-possessed, but they are certainly demon-oppressed. They are suffering from various types of yokes that keep them from being fruitful. When God delivers, He does not leave loose ends, so that there would be no more trouble. In Exodus 14:26-28, when God dealt with the hosts of Pharaoh, not one of them escaped. Also, in Daniel 6:24, not one of those who put Daniel into the lion’s den escaped. They were all destroyed together with the members of their families. God will gather all those who say they will not allow you to reach your goal and finish them. The power of God brings the enemies to forcefully surrender. Enemies of the gospel are enemies of the children of God and they are not willing to surrender without a strong hand. The enemies of God will submit when they encounter superior power from the Almighty. This is the power expected to be manifested by the presence of God’s ambassadors. As an ambassador of Christ, you must stop operating at the realm of the flesh and begin to exercise kingdom rights.
“Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.” Psalm 89:13
Some years ago when I was still in ignorance, I was taken to a witch doctor to seek for help. I was told that he would look after me and give me some charms to prevent my cars from accidents. When we got to his dirty house, he saw me looking at him with a sign of wonder on my face. I was looking at him that way because his leg and right hand were bandaged. He told me he was involved in a motor accident some five days before and that he was the only survivor with a broken leg and arm. This was the fellow who was going to look after me. Thank God for Jesus Christ. Unlike dumb idols, our living God will answer when we call on Him. He made eyes therefore He can see. His everlasting arms are underneath those who put their trust in Him. When your enemies think that you are finished, they will suddenly discover that the Almighty God is still supporting you. When they think that you have fallen, they will not know that you are in the embrace of the Almighty God.
Prayer Point: Pray that all enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ will not escape destruction.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 8th]
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Memorise: Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 1 Kings 18:38
Read: 1 Kings 18:36-38
36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
Message
A careful study of the scriptures shows that each time that God answered prayers by fire, it was because there was something on the ground that the fire needed to consume. Twice, fire came down to destroy the enemies of God when they tried to humiliate His servant, Elijah. For a reader of this devotional, whatever has been humiliating you in time past is consumed by fire now, in Jesus’ Name. We see situations in the Bible where Elijah would pronounce an unfavourable decree in the presence of a king and leave unharmed. They could not arrest Him because he was carrying fire. Whenever God is on your side, He will paralyse your enemies physically and mentally. They would be watching as you are escaping.
“There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:10-12
Stones are often symbols of impossibilities and can also represent hindrances in many situations. God knows that without Him helping you, you can dash your foot against stones. He has therefore made up His mind that the fire of the Holy Spirit shall destroy every stone causing obstructions and failures on your path. When you have God behind you, there is nothing to fear. You can stand boldly and say “I am here”. The son of a leader of witches in a certain town became born-again and the witches became angry. With the consent of his mother, they sent a dog laced with charms to go and kill him. On the night of the attack, the boy was praying as led by the Holy Spirit. When the dog entered the fully locked house, the boy could only call the Name of Jesus, and the dog collapsed and died. The following morning, the witches found their dog being roasted by the boy. The Name of Jesus will deal with any enemy that comes against you. If you are already born-again, search your life, and if there is any area where you are not at peace with God, settle with Him right away. Settle with Him if you have not been praying or reading your Bible the way you ought to be doing. Promise Him that things will change and you will do His will perfectly. Ask Him to forgive you and ask for a new beginning. Do not allow the devil put any block between you and your miracle. Settle with God in every area you are still failing Him. He will be merciful unto you.
Prayer Point: Father, all things that will not allow you to perfect your will for my life, consume them by your fire.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 7th]
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CONTROVERSIAL BLESSING - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Psalm 126:1
Read: John 9:8-16
8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. 10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. 12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not. 13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
Message
The Lord Jesus is the centre of new beginnings; therefore, every new beginning takes its origin in Christ. When God found fault with the Old Testament, He introduced the New Testament on the platform of Christ’s sacrifice. It does not matter your background, education, race, sex or colour; Christ has provided a level playing field of opportunities for everyone to be blessed beyond measure. The choice to be blessed in such a way that your case becomes the talk of the town now rests with you. Some people are resistant to new things; they like suffering, hardship, poverty, sickness and stagnation. Their present poor state is so acceptable to them that they don’t see any need to embrace change. I once had an experience of this sometime ago when I prayed for someone and said: “When next you are coming to the annual convention, you will come in your own car”. I expected him to say Amen, but he did not, so I asked him: “Did you hear what I said?” He replied: “Yes”. “Why then didn’t you answer?” I asked. Then he explained: “When one gets a car, you will begin to talk about getting a mechanic, insurance and fuel shortage problems”. He continued rolling out reasons why he was not expecting a car. That was the lie of the devil to keep him away from his blessing. The devil did not want him to see the good side of having a car.
In John 9:1-7, we see a man who was born blind receive his sight. He had been in that situation for at least forty years before he met Christ. On meeting the Lord, the blindness of forty years disappeared and his sight was restored. His story stands as a case of blessings that generates controversies. A problem of forty years came to an end in just one day. You should know that your problem has an expiry date. Today is your day for a new beginning. There are many lessons to draw from the story of this man. New blessings will usually generate controversies. Controversy brings about debate, arguments, disagreements, deliberation, wonder or questions. There will be questions when a man known for poverty suddenly begins to ride in one of the most expensive cars in the world. People will talk and argue when a woman whom the doctor said her womb is too small to nurture a child gives birth to four children at once. Meeting Jesus on a personal basis is an experience you should seek. The good news is that He is seeking to meet you too. There is a blessing Christ will give you that will positively affect all other areas of your life. I decree over your life that every secret work the Lord began in your life shall be completed publicly in Jesus’ Name. Every deficiency or inadequacy in your life shall expire in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point: Lord, let your blessings for me this year generate discussions.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 6th]
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Memorise: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Matthew 20:16
Read: Matthew 25:1-13
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Message
There were many virgins in the land but only ten were chosen. Before the ten were chosen, you can be sure all other virgins would have been called. This scenario is seen in the book of Esther. When the king wanted another wife to replace Vashti, he called all the virgins together so that he could choose one of them. If you are a minister of God, you are already called but possibly not chosen. Experience has shown that many ministers of God will not make Heaven. The chosen are selected to be special (Deuteronomy 7:6). They are also chosen to be peculiar (Deuteronomy 14:2). As a chosen people of God, everyone should see you as peculiar without you saying a word. The chosen must be precious (1 Peter 2:4). Are you precious to God? Have you brought yourself into a relationship with God so that if you die today, God will notice that somebody has died? The chosen will be defended tremendously against his enemies (Isaiah 41:9-13). The first reason for choosing the twelve apostles was for companionship. This is very important, but this quality is lacking in the life of many ministers of God.
As for the ten virgins, nobody told them when the bridegroom would arrive. Watch, because you do not know when the bridegroom will come (Matthew 25:13). You must be extra careful. The foolish were careless while the wise were careful. The five that took extra oil decided to be extra careful. They were chosen from a big competition and they knew that another competition might just be ahead. As admonished in Ephesians 6:13-14, when you have done all things to stand, stand steadfastly. You never know where your next test will come from. While you are thanking God for winning one competition, another may be starting. The chosen will always forget past successes because they know they have not reached their goal yet.
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Forget past success because you have not yet reached your goal. The five wise virgins knew they had been chosen to go and meet the bridegroom, but the bridegroom had not come yet. They knew that if their oil should run low, there would be no time to go home for more oil. Once you lay your hands on the plough, you cannot look back. To avoid looking back, the ones chosen must take extra precautions from the start.
Key Point: There is great danger when one relaxes in the midst of unfinished business.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 5th]
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LEADERSHIP AND ANOINTING - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5b
Read: 2 Samuel 5:1-3
1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.
Message
Some people hide under the fact that they have been previously anointed, and by this, pre-suppose that they do not need any further anointing. The truth is that God gives extra anointing to those whom he wants to give extra blessings and glory. Perhaps you have discovered that God has ordained you to be great; you still need to wait for the anointing. The fact that God has deposited the seed of greatness in your life does not mean that you have arrived. You need the anointing to fulfil your vision and achieve your destiny (2 Samuel 5:1-3). The new anointing that God is going to add to your life is going to complete what He has started in your life. One of the reasons why the anointing is so important is that whatever is anointed cannot be reversed by the enemy.
From the scriptures, we understand that David was anointed not just once, or twice, but three times. Whenever God decides to favour someone, and He decides to demonstrate this by anointing the person whom He has chosen over and over again, His intention is to completely silence the enemy and grant victory and blessings to His people. God gives extra anointing to those whom He wants to give extra blessings and glory. The moment God anoints you, a decree goes out from His throne room to back you up. All the negative forces of the universe are commanded to steer clear of the anointed (Psalm 105:14-15).
“He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.”
Tragically, not all heads are ready to receive the anointing. There were many children in the favoured family of Jesse, but only one of them received the anointing. As a leader, you cannot decide to do whatever you feel like doing and yet expect to receive God’s anointing. The anointing of God is available for those who qualify for it. Are you one of them? Each of the sons of Jesse was eager to receive the anointing, but all their heads except that of David were rejected. May your head never refuse the anointing in Jesus’ Name. The heads of the seven sons of Jesse must have refused the anointing because God knew certain things about them, which perhaps, no one knew. Are there things God knows about you which men do not know? If they are negative things, you can be sure it will disqualify you when it matters most.
Prayer point: Father, I present my head for your fresh anointing for greatness; anoint me till my cup runs over, in Jesus’ Name.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 4th]
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Memorise: And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Luke 3:9
Read: John 15:1-6
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Message
Whenever someone is invited to join the army, he is told the beautiful things that he will get when he signs up: cheap food, free clothing and a lot of other fringe benefits. He is never told what he will go through when he gets into the barracks. In the barracks, he is taken through heavy rigours and at the end of the day, he becomes broken down enough to handle a machine gun fearlessly. In the same manner, before the Almighty God would hand over His weaponry to anyone, the fellow will go through some rigours. The good news is that He promised in Isaiah 43:2 that He will be with you while you pass through those challenges.
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”
Every fighter in the army of the Lord must be aware that the Commander-in-Chief will not tolerate parasites. He is highly intolerant of those who have nothing significant to contribute (John 15:2). He wants everyone engaged in His vision to contribute their own quota. The question is: in the service of God, would you be referred to as an asset or a liability? Also, in the army of the Lord, there is no room for loafers and deserters. While all loafers are summarily dealt with, deserters face eternal death (Luke 3:9). There is no backing out in the army of God. This is why in Ephesians 6:13-17, there is no armour for our backs. The day you turn your back to the enemy, you become exposed to his attacks. With your hands still on the plough, you are not even allowed to look back (Luke 9:62). Furthermore, in the army of the Lord, there is no room for slothfulness. There is no room for lazy people. You are supposed to be diligent. There is also no room for divided loyalties (Matthew 10:37). Your loyalty must be only to the Commander-in-Chief. You have to rely on God because you cannot do these things on your own accord. If you rely on Him and draw your strength from Him, you will be amazed when you start doing certain things that you never thought were possible. You will discover obedience becomes very easy. For you to succeed in the army of the Lord, the Lord Himself must hold your hand and continue to lead you on. What must you do so that He can hold your hand? The answer is found in 1 Peter 1:15-16:
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Key Point: You have to plough looking straight ahead. God is not a democrat. He rules by decrees
[Open Heavens 2014, June 3rd]
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WHY EXPECTATIONS FAIL - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7
Read: Jeremiah 29:1-13
1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon; 2 (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;) 3 By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying, 4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; 5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; 6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. 8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD. 10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Message
Some expectations don’t come to pass and there are reasons for that. It is a painful experience to see your expectation fail. When expectation is based on assumption, it will fail (Deuteronomy 1:42-44). Great expectations are founded on God’s promise. By simply assuming that you will succeed in certain businesses just like others, you are setting yourself up for failure. Some Christians invest their money into projects without God’s approval, only to have their expectation for dividends fail. Basing your expectation in marriage on physical qualities like beauty, good stature and good physique will surely lead to failure (1 Samuel 16:6-7). Elements of physical beauty can be misleading (Proverbs 31:30). Some single ladies today are learning the lesson of humility in a hard way. They trusted in their beauty and expected that it will earn them prompt marriage, a good husband and a happy home. Many of such ladies are crying in their closet today because they have realised that any expectation not centred on God will fail.
“And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies. So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill. And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.” Deuteronomy 1:42-44
In the above passage, the Lord did not approve of the children of Israel going to this battle. But to them, approval from above or not, they assumed they would be victorious. They got their soldiers ready and their expectation of victory was intact. Unknown to them, no expectation will ever come to pass if God is not factored into it. They fell on their faces when they should have lifted up their voices in songs of victory. Expectations fail when they are based on lies (Jeremiah 29:8). Expectations fail when they are based on connections and the power of associates. No association can replace God without consequences for those who put their trust in such associations (Jeremiah 17:5). Nowadays, Christians express disappointment in fellow Christians because truth has been compromised. If you don’t think twice before you jump at what those so-called Christian associates have to offer you, your expectation will fail to your surprise.
Prayer Point: Pray that God would enlighten the eyes of your understanding to discern those expectations of yours that do not align with His purpose for your life.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 2nd]
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THE GREAT ESCAPE - Kenneth Copeland
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Once you start stepping out in faith and walking in the Spirit, the devil will see to it that you have ample opportunity to fall flat on your spiritual face. He'll try to get you into some jams where there appears to be no way out.
But take it from me as one who's been there, if you'll look to God and trust His wisdom instead of your own, He'll always show you a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). Not only that, but He'll do it in such a way that He'll get the glory and you'll have the last laugh on the devil.
I remember one particular Wednesday night in Wichita Falls, Texas, where I was faced with just such a situation. I was preaching on the reality of the righteousness of God, and the anointing was really strong. Just as my message reached its climactic moment, a woman in the audience suddenly burst forth in tongues. I told her to stop three times, but she only continued to grow louder. By the time she hushed, the anointing had gone and the message was forgotten. So I looked at that woman sternly and began to correct her for being out of order.
Then a man sitting next to her spoke up and said, "Brother Copeland, she is stone deaf. She can't hear a word you're saying."
At that point, I had no idea what to do. Not only had my sermon been shattered, but the whole congregation was mad at me for getting onto that poor deaf woman. (I found out later the man next to her used her to disrupt services and run preachers out of town. When the service reached a high point, he'd punch her and tell her it was her turn to prophesy.)
So I just stopped a moment and got quiet and waited for the Lord to tell me what to do. Sure enough, He told me. He said, "Call her up and lay hands on her and I'll open her ears."
Talk about a turnaround! When God healed that woman's ears, He turned that disaster into one of the most powerfully anointed meetings I'd ever had. Everybody was blessed!
Next time the devil tries to back you into a corner, get quiet. Ask God to show you the way of escape. He'll bring you out in victory every time.
Scripture Study: Acts 14:8-22
[From Faith To Faith, June 01, 2014]
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THE BIGGEST PROBLEM ISN'T BIG ENOUGH - Kenneth Copeland
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)
It absolutely doesn't matter what you are facing today...nothing is too big a problem when you factor in the anointing! Take hold of the anointing by beginning to expect. Start expecting something good to happen to you. Lay hold of the hope that's set before you in the promises of God. Don't be a stranger to those promises. Dig into them in the Word of God. Find out what God has said about your situation. Then start saying, "I expect it because God promised it!" Think about those promises and meditate on them. Let them build an image inside you until you can see yourself well...until you can see yourself with your bills paid...until you can see yourself blessed and prosperous in every way. If you'll do that, you'll eventually get bigger on the inside than you are on the outside. Your hope will grow so strong that the devil himself won't be able to beat it out of you.
When we're confronted by impossible situations in this world, we have a covenant right to factor in Jesus! Factor in the power of His Word! Factor in His Anointing! Some say, "That sounds too easy." No, it's not easy! When the devil begins to pull the noose of hopelessness around your neck with poverty or sickness or some other terrible situation, you have to fight and fight hard. And you fight hard by grabbing hold of the hope in the Word and using it to demolish every thought that would rise up against it. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
The battleground where hope is won or lost is not on the streets, it's in the mind. It's in the imagination where expectancy begins to take form. So take your stand on that battleground. Begin now to expect the anointing to destroy the yokes in your life. Begin now to expect God to keep His covenant promises to you. Fight for that expectancy in the Name of Jesus. Take your hope, fill it with faith and storm the gates of hell. They will not prevail against you!
Scripture Study: Hebrews 6:16-20
[Pursuit Of His Presence, June 01, 2014]
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RIGHTEOUSNESS PAYS! - Bishop David O. Abioye
Prov 11:31
“Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth…”
Righteousness is a seed.
It can’t die. It can’t be lost
Someday it will emerge with its fruits.
Never be weary at living righteous.
Jacob’s righteousness spake for Him – Gen 30:33; 31:1-16
Joseph shows us the way to it – Gen 37:1-6; 42:18
David practiced it a great deal - 1 Sam 24:1-22; 26:1-23
Daniel maintained it as a lifestyle– Dan 6:22
It paid off for all of them. It will work for you in the same way.
[Daily Devotional, June 01, 2014]
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BE DETERMINED TO WAIT - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Job 14:14
Read: Habakkuk 2:1-3
1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Message
There is a waiting period that precedes the manifestation of great expectations. The gestation period of an African elephant is the longest of all mammals. It lasts for about 22 months, which is almost two calendar years. Contrast this with that of a rat which is just about 20 days. If your expectation is very great, your waiting period may be longer than that of another man with smaller expectations. Expectation for a great miracle warrants great patience. It is premature for an elephant to deliver nine months after pregnancy, whereas it is the joy of any woman to deliver her baby during that same period. You need to wait for your own appointed time as designed by God.
To wait for God’s time requires your determination (Job 14:14). God will come to your aid, but when He does, will He find you still waiting for Him? Jesus promised to return the second time but He wondered if He would find faith on earth at His return (Luke 18:8). There is a reader of this devotional, who like Job, has suffered untold losses. You have no idea of why you are in that situation, neither do you have any idea of how to survive your present predicament. I am speaking to your life by the word of the Lord that there will be clarity for all your confusion.
The example of Job teaches a great lesson on patience in tribulation. Our waiting period in God’s design does not mean that God is dodging His responsibility towards us as men do. When some people tell you to wait, it is an indirect way of telling you to forget about your expectation from them. But when God tells you to wait, He will attend to you. God has a timetable for each and every one of His children. Wait for His time. The mystery of God’s appointed time is that it is often not known. All we need to do is wait for Him; trusting His love for us, His faithfulness to His promises and His unlimited power to do anything he wants to do at any time He wants to do it. This is how God wants you to handle your waiting period. Believe Him for His promise, and while waiting, begin to testify of what He is about to do. This is why I keep telling myself “it is well with me” because I know He has said “it shall be well with the righteous”. You may not be privileged to know the times and the seasons when He will manifest His power in your life; one thing is however certain: He will work in your life at His own time. The waiting period may be full of tears, but joy will still come in the morning. Some of those who waited for God in the past did so with tears in their eyes, but they never stopped waiting for Him, and they got their expectations.
Prayer Point: Father, teach me patience in the place of waiting for my change, and deliver my expectations from failure in Jesus’ Name.
[Open Heavens 2014, June 1st]
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YOUR MOUTH, YOUR LIFE – Bishop David O. Abioye
Your life is at the mercy of your mouth.
Your mouth is the rudder of your life.
Your mouth organizes and directs your life.
Life opens in the direction of your mouth.
Don’t close your mouth if you don’t want your life to close.
Don’t use your mouth to describe your situation, rather use it to declare your expectation.
God is committed to perform only what your mouth releases.
Now, take full charge of your life by declaring what you want to see happening.
Num.14:28; Is.44:26, Mk.11:24
[Daily Devotional, May 31st, 2014]
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IN VIEW? - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
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.
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.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 31st]
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LIVE IN POWER - Gloria Copeland
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)
As a believer, you actually have residing in you the same new life God gave Jesus when He raised Him from the dead. The old sinner you once were has died. You've become a new creation on the inside.
You are full of the resurrection life of God!
But sin, disobedience and living a selfish, carnal life will keep that resurrection life from flowing out. Sin will separate you from the power of God, even though you're born again. Resurrection life will lay dormant in you if you walk in sin.
You can't overcome sin by trying to stop sinning, however. You overcome it by walking after the new life God has put within you; by spending time in the Word and in prayer. As you do that, the Spirit of God will strengthen you and enable you to put that sin under your feet.
Remember, though, the Holy Spirit will not subdue those old fleshly habits of yours on His own. He'll wait on you to take the initiative. Then He will strengthen you to follow through with your decision. He will teach you how to walk in the new life that is in you.
Take the first step today by asking for His help. Say, "Lord, I desire to experience the power to live by this new life every day. By a decision of my heart, I put down the dictates of sin. I declare myself dead to it. In Jesus' Name, I will spend time in prayer and in the Word today. As I do, I believe I'll receive a Holy Ghost refreshing in my life. I believe I'll begin to live out the resurrection power that You've placed in me!"
Scripture Study: Romans 7:1-6
[From Faith To Faith, May 31st, 2014]
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PRAISE HIM! - Kenneth Copeland
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." (Psalm 8:1-2, New International Version)
When you've prayed and believed God to change circumstances, based on the Word of God, then you are to begin praising and thanking Him in the midst of those circumstances while you wait for them to change.
There's power in praise-and it's a fundamental element of faith. If you praise God, you'll be able to triumph over every attack. Psalm 8:1-2 confirms that. The devil is not going to hang around listening to the praises of God. Praise shuts his mouth. So put it to work.
Praise God that the mountain is gone even while it's still standing there. Praise Him for setting you free. Praise Him for the blood of Jesus that paid the price for your sin and delivered you from every curse.
Praise Him in the morning. Shout your way to work every day. Praise Him at noon. Shout your way home every evening. Praise Him at night. Praise Him when you don't feel like praising Him! It will make a difference. Gloria and I have applied truths like this for more than 40 years, and God has brought us out on top every time.
Scripture Study: Psalm 150
[Pursuit Of His Presence, May 31st, 2014]
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TELL THE GOOD NEWS - Kenneth Copeland
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:19)
Very few unsaved people today have ever really heard the good news. Why? Because too many Christians are busy telling the world God is mad at them. And telling them that they're terrible and wrong. Some call that good news, but it's not, and it's not what God has commissioned us to share.
He's given us the "word of reconciliation"!
He's sent us to tell the news that God has restored harmony and fellowship between Himself and men. All men. Not just believers. Not just the people in your church, but everyone!
That's right. The worst old reprobate sinner in the world is every bit as reconciled to God as you are. Look at Romans 5:10 and you'll see what I mean. It says that "when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son." Reconciled. That word is past tense. God has already restored fellowship between Himself and the world. He did it when there was not one person on earth except Jesus who believed in the new birth. He did it when the entire world was lying in sin.
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has cleansed and forgiven and restored to Himself every man, woman and child on the face of this earth. All any of us have to do now is receive that good news.
That's the good word God has given us. That's the word we need to share with those who are lost. If we'll do it, I can almost guarantee you, they won't stay lost very long.
Scripture Study: 2 Corinthians 5:10-21
[From Faith To Faith, May 30th, 2014]
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WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? - Kenneth Copeland
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." (Hebrews 10:38)
Did you know God doesn't want you sitting around waiting for a thunderbolt from heaven to stir you into action? Did you know He wants you to step out in faith and power just because the Bible says we can? "But, Brother Copeland, I'd be afraid that if I did that, it would just be me." Well, think for a moment. Would that really be so bad? After all, you've been born again. You've been baptized in God's Spirit. The love of God has been shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost. You're a joint heir with Jesus and you have a covenant in His blood. God didn't do all that in you for nothing. He didn't re-create you so you could sit around like a puppet, afraid to take any initiative of your own. He created you to be His partner, a worker "together with him" (2 Corinthians 6:1). That means you have a part to do. You have responsibilities, and to fulfill them, you must take your place as a son of God.
When people come along and say, "Do you mean to tell me you have the power to heal?" you shouldn't shake your head and say, "Oh, no. I'm just a nobody." You should say, "Yes, because the Father is in me and He does the works! Jesus said when believers lay hands on the sick, they'll recover. And, praise God, I'm a believer!"
You see, faith is the force God has given us to govern our personal lives day in and day out. He expects us to take that spiritual force-the same force He used to create the material world-and change circumstances, heal our physical bodies, and keep our lives in line with His Word. He expects us, even in the midst of an outpouring of miraculous power, to take our stand and be "followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Hebrews 6:12). So the next time you have an opportunity to step out, do it! What are you waiting for?
Scripture Study: Hebrews 6:9-15
[Pursuit Of His Presence, May 30th, 2014]
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POOR & PRECIOUS - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. Psalm 40:17
Read: Psalm 40:14-17
14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. 15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. 16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. 17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Message
Social stratification based on financial status is more pronounced than any other type of stratification in modern society. The wealthy and the poor coexist in all nations of the world today. The rich are associated with wealth, power and fame, while the poor are associated with suffering, obscurity and lack. The rich has many friends, associates and family members. He is an independent fellow who can afford to pay his or her bills and also contribute to the development of the community. The poor on the other hand has few or no friends or associates. He can hardly pay his bills not to talk of contributing to the development of the community. However, it is heart-warming to note that God is personally interested in the cause of the poor. I hereby decree that God will put an end to every form of poverty in your life today in the Name of Jesus.
Numerous passages of the Bible speak of God’s deep concern for the poor. In the Mosaic Law, God commanded that no one should oppress them. If they became servants to their fellow citizen out of poverty, God commanded that in the fiftieth year (Jubilee), the poor must be set free to return to his or her family without strings attached. Also, God gave many wonderful promises and pronounced blessings on the poor as a means of assuring them that poverty would not be a permanent status. In fact, a cursory look at a few of these passages will convince you that poverty has become a matter of choice for the children of God. All you need to do is to apply the word and its principles to your life. Such passages include the following:
“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.” Psalm 113:7-8
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
These verses are a great source of consolation to children of God irrespective of their current financial status. Jesus came to demonstrate the Father’s heartbeat for the poor by His life, and also by the ultimate sacrifice He paid on behalf of all humanity on the cross of Calvary. It is at Calvary that we learn that, despite the poverty of the human race, we are still very precious to God.
Prayer Point: Father, please help me to know how precious I am in your sight and please don’t let your investment in my life be a waste, in Jesus’ Name.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 30th]
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DON'T CHASE SUCCESS, LET IT CHASE YOU! - Gloria Copeland
"The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." (Proverbs 10:22)
How much do you want to succeed in life? Enough to change what you're saying? Enough to change where your attention is focused? Enough to act on the Word of God even when the rest of the world is telling you it will never work? If you want it that much, the Word of God guarantees you'll get your fill of success in life. Good success. Not the kind the world gives, but God's own brand of success. Success the world's way has a price tag of misery attached to it. But Proverbs 10:22 says God adds no sorrow to His blessings. I will warn you of this, though. Satan won't like it if you choose the way of success. He'll try to talk you out of it, and since he knows God's success formula, he knows exactly what tactics to use. He'll pressure you to say negative things. He'll try to distract you from the Word and get your attention on anything-it doesn't matter what it is, as long as it isn't the Word. His goal is to stop your faith. He knows it's the only force that can cause impossible situations to change. He also knows that it comes from the Word of God. So when he sees that Word going in your heart and hears it coming out of your mouth, he doesn't just sit there. He starts talking.
Doubtful thoughts will come into your mind, thoughts that are just the opposite of what God's Word says. But those thoughts don't become yours unless you believe them and speak them. That's what he wants you to do, of course. If the Word says you're healed, he'll say you're sick. If the Word says you're forgiven, he'll say you're still guilty. If the Word says your needs are met, he'll tell you they're not. But if you won't let go of your faith, if you'll keep the Word in your mouth and in your heart, you can't lose. There's no force the devil can bring against you that will overcome the Word of God. It will make you a winner every time. So if you've been wanting good success and it's been eluding you, quit wondering if you have what it takes to make it-and remember instead who is with you and in you. Then turn to the Word of God and put God's success formula to work in your life. Start talking it. Start thinking it. Start doing it. Before long, you won't be chasing success...it will be chasing you!
Scripture Study: Romans 8:31-34
[Pursuit Of His Presence, May 29th, 2014]
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THE ULTIMATE SATISFACTION - Bishop David O. Abioye
Many people think that what they need is money. Some others think that what they need is job, fame or position. But the ultimate satisfaction is to be in the likeness of God.
He put His image and likeness in us. So we are compelled to keep longing for Him. Genesis. 1.26,27
“As for me I will behold thy face in Righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake with the likeness”.Psalm.17.15.
The face of God is the cure to the shame of man. No shame remains with a man who continually beholds the face of God. Psalm.34.5
The face of God brings change to man. 2 Corinthians 3.18
The face of God is the favour of God-Psalm.30.7, Numbers.6.23-27.
The face of God is our ultimate satisfaction. Keep looking at Him to ultimately look like Him.
[Daily Devotional, May 29th, 2014]
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THE WISDOM OF GOD - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Romans 11:33
Read: 1 Corinthians 1:20-25
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Message
Whenever God decides to reveal deep things about Himself to anyone, the human response is always that of unspeakable awesome surprise. Paul caught some revelations of God and exclaimed in Romans 11:33a that:
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”
This is the cry of someone who has seen beyond the physical realm; obviously God had shown him a little glimpse of the depth of His knowledge and wisdom. The Psalmist in Psalm 139:6 also experienced this and submitted in absolute wonder saying:
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”
It is therefore not surprising that the greatest minds among the scientists and philosophers of this world are incompetent to discern, assess, or comprehend the knowledge and wisdom of God.
“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21
Because the all-knowing God is also the Creator of the heavens and earth, He knows that the human thinking faculty is not designed to understand spiritual matters and therefore cannot comprehend the knowledge and wisdom of a God who is Spirit. In essence, human logic, reasoning, science, and philosophy are grossly inadequate to bring man to the saving knowledge of an immortal, invisible, omnipotent and omniscient God. But glory be to God, because it pleased Him that by the foolishness of the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, anyone that believes would receive the power of salvation and intimacy with God.
Nevertheless, the Bible in Matthew 11:19 tells us that wisdom has children, and the wisdom of those children begins with the fear of the Lord (Psalm 111:10). They are also known to reject the wisdom of this world, according to 2 Corinthians 1:12. As children of wisdom, they accept Jesus Christ the Son of the living God as the Wisdom of God and as Lord and Saviour. I therefore invite you to join the children of wisdom today by dedicating your life to Jesus and accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Once you surrender your life to Him, He will begin to make all things work out for your good.
Prayer Point: Father, please open my spiritual eyes to behold wondrous things according to the riches of your wisdom and knowledge, in Jesus’ Name.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 29th]
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DON'T HESITATE - Kenneth Copeland
"He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:6-8)
What happens when you hesitate to do something God has told you to do? Your adversary takes the first step. The devil gets the jump on you.
If you want to live by faith, hesitation is one of the most hazardous habits you could ever have. It comes from being indecisive. The Bible says a man like that is "unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels, decides" (The Amplified Bible).
If you are double-minded, the decisions you make are split. You try to live by faith and protect your fear at the same time. You make faith statements like "I believe God is going to heal me." Then your fear whispers, "But I wouldn't want to say I'm well just yet." You're so busy going back and forth between faith and fear, you can't make any progress at all.
Kick the habit of hesitation today. Make a solid decision to trust in and act on the Word of God. Settle it forever. Resolve never to entertain doubts again. When doubt comes to your mind, cast it out quickly.
When God speaks, don't waste a moment. Step right out in faith. That way, you can always keep the devil a step behind you!
Scripture Study: James 1:1-8
[From Faith To Faith, May 29th, 2014]
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BE IMPACT DRIVEN - Bishop David O. Abioye
The only way not to be easily forgotten is to be impact driven rather than been position or recognition conscious.
If you are impactful you cannot be easily ignored or forgotten.
Your words and name may be forgotten but your touch cannot be forgotten.
Keep touching lives to register your memory in them.
[Personal Development, May 27th, 2014]
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THE WISDOM OF MEN - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it. Deuteronomy 1:39
Read: Genesis 2:15-17
15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Message
In the beginning, God generously permitted man to eat from every herb bearing seed and from every tree bearing fruit. In Genesis 2:17 however, God commanded him to avoid eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The fruit of this tree has been variously interpreted to mean sexual awareness or moral experience among other views. Since sexual interaction between Adam and Eve was allowed (being the only way to multiply the human race in obedience to God’s commandment), moral experience is therefore the most plausible explanation of what this fruit represents. God clearly wanted Adam and Eve to maintain their state of innocence. By choosing to obey or disobey, they would come to know good and evil by experience. God set before them a choice, of which obedience would lead to wisdom and blessing, while disobedience would lead to rebellion and punishment. I pray that the Body of Christ will witness great increase in wisdom and blessing as a result of total obedience to God in Jesus’ Name.
The knowledge of good and evil enables a person to make choices based on human knowledge and personal preferences, rather than simple obedience to the word of God. It provides an opportunity to exercise the power of logic and the supremacy of human choice in all human affairs. The fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is contrary to faith. It is for this reason that 1 Corinthians 2:14, says that:
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.“
Therefore the natural man stands for those who are controlled and influenced by natural instincts and are in opposition to those who are influenced by the Spirit of God. They cannot receive or obey the things of the Spirit of God because they make their choices in life based on their senses -what they see, hear and feel. To such people, the way of God and His commandments are foolishness. One would think that such would not be found among Christians, but many professed born-again and spirit-filled Christians cannot live with some biblical doctrines and commandments of God. They simply argue that such is not relevant anymore, suggesting that there is a need to review the Bible to accommodate modern times and human interests. The big question is; are you serving the Lord in the wisdom of men, or by faith and obedience in the power of God?
Prayer Point: Father, please help me to serve you with total obedience to the authority of your word.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 28th]
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RECEIVE THE MAN OF GOD - Kenneth Copeland
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me." (John 13:20)
I can't tell you how many born-again, Holy Ghost-filled Christians pick their pastor apart on Saturday night and then expect him to pray the prayer of faith for them Sunday morning! They'll constantly make critical comments about the evangelists and preachers that God has sent to minister to them and then wonder why the rain of the Spirit has all but dried up in their churches.
Most of those folks would never dream of criticizing the ministry of Jesus. Yet, according to the Word of God, that's precisely what they're doing. You see, Jesus said, "He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me."
I know ministers fail sometimes. I know they make mistakes. Jesus knew they would too. But, even so, He said, "If you receive them, you receive Me."
If you think some preacher's doctrine is wrong, then pray for him. Stop sitting under his ministry if necessary. But the Scripture says, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand" (Rom. 14:4, NIV).
The ministers of the gospel are not your servants, they're God's servants. Whether they're right or whether they're wrong, love them and respect them if for no other reason than to honor the One who sent them.
Learn to receive the minister of God that Jesus sends to you with the same respect and the same honor that you would give Jesus Himself. You'll open the door for great spiritual power to be released. You'll clear the way for God to meet your needs. The anointing of God will be released through the man of God to you.
Refuse to let criticism hold back the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Then get ready to be blessed because, I guarantee, He won't hold out on you.
Scripture Study: Numbers 12:1-16
[From Faith To Faith, May 28th, 2014]
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YIELD TO LIFE! - Kenneth Copeland
"Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the Lord bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed."(Deuteronomy 28:61)
Tradition has taught that God uses sicknesses, trials and tribulation to teach us. This idea, however, is not based on the Word. God has never used sickness to discipline His children and keep them in line. Sickness is of the devil, and God doesn't need the devil to straighten us out! "But, Brother Copeland, what about Deuteronomy 28:61? It says the Lord will put sickness on me." The wording of the King James Version of such scriptures has caused many people to draw this conclusion. In Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible, Dr. Robert Young sheds some crucial light on that. There he explains that the Hebrew language contains idioms which cannot be translated into the English language and properly understood. Also, there was little understanding of permissive and causative verbs. In other words, according to Dr. Young's studies, Deuteronomy 28:61 should have been translated with a permissive verb and would more accurately read, "Every sickness and every plague, which is not written in the book of the law, them will the Lord allow to ascend upon thee until thou be destroyed." (You can read verse 15 and see how it confirms this.) "But even if God is not the source of sickness," you may ask, "isn't it still true that He allows the devil to make us sick?" Yes. Not from the standpoint of correction, but from the standpoint of authority. God allows it because we do. Why? Because He's given us the right to make our own choices, along with authority over the kingdom of darkness in Jesus' Name.
According to Deuteronomy 30:19, He has set before us life and death, blessing and cursing. He has further instructed us to choose life. The choice of what we experience is up to us. It has been that way since Creation. You have the power to live after God's ways and resist sickness, or not to. You have the choice to let Satan run over you, or use the authority you have been given. Good and perfect gifts come from God. No matter what tradition has taught, sickness and disease simply don't fall into the category of good and perfect gifts...ever. So make a decision today.
Resist Satan's sicknesses and diseases. Cast off those old traditions. Yield to all that God has put within you. Yield to life!
Scripture Study: James 1:12-17
[Pursuit Of His Presence, May 28th, 2014]
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THE SUPERNATURAL LIFE - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
Read: 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Message
God created the world to be controlled physically by some natural laws and principles, and spiritually by supernatural laws and principles. He then made man in His own image as lord, king and master, to have dominion and rule over everything He created, both in the physical and spiritual dimensions. After Satan successfully deceived Eve, Adam and Eve sinned against God, and their sin attracted judgement from God. The major implication of the judgement pronounced upon them was spiritual death which is the loss of supernatural life. Hence, the dominion and authority of man became limited to the physical world which is controlled by natural laws and principles.
It is important to note that these natural laws and principles work for all human beings who would fulfil the requirements. Naturally, whatever goes up must come down; whoever sows shall reap; if you give, you shall receive; a diligent hand shall rule; what you see physically determines what you can get; sickness requires medical treatment; death is terminal etc. In the natural world, knowledge is power and no one can grow beyond the limit of his or her knowledge and abilities. The natural world operates strictly based on logic. Many Christians today live in poverty, sickness, bondage, fear, debt, sorrow, and failure because they are operating at the natural level. I pray that you will break loose from the natural level and begin to operate in the supernatural from today in Jesus’ Name.
Supernatural laws and principles can only work for those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and are spirit-filled. Such must be living holy lives and walking by faith, not by sight. These are those whose faith is not built on the wisdom of men but on the power of God. Having the spiritual enablement to live a victorious life, to save souls, raise the dead, heal the sick and deliver the oppressed is the whole essence of Christianity. I pray that as you thirst and hunger for the supernatural life, the Lord himself will satisfy your hunger and anoint you powerfully for His service in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point: Father, I am tired of sharing the same ordinary natural life with the rest of the world, please take me higher to the supernatural level in Jesus’ Name.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 27th]
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GOD WANTS YOU WELL - Kenneth Copeland
"If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26)
Has the devil ever tried to put you under condemnation by telling you that it's contrary to the principles of faith to use doctors and medicine when you need healing? If so, here are some encouraging words that I believe will help you put your heart at rest.
It is God's will to heal you. That's the first and most important thing for you to understand. If your faith is strong and you can believe the Word without wavering (regardless of what circumstances or symptoms come against you), then you'll be able to receive that healing by faith alone.
But that kind of faith takes more than just hearing a few sermons about healing. It takes a deep personal revelation of God's healing power. So, if you haven't yet developed that kind of faith, the doctor is your best friend.
If you're not certain whether your faith is strong enough or whether you need a doctor's help, follow the instructions of the Apostle Paul (Col. 3:15) and let peace be your umpire.
If fear rises up within you when you think about doing without medical help, then go to a doctor. And go in faith! On the other hand, if you have a sure confidence within you that healing is yours strictly by faith, let your faith do its work and receive your healing directly. Whether or not you go to the doctor is not the issue. It is what you do with your faith.
Either way, you can rejoice knowing God is working with you, meeting you at the level of your faith. Thank God for your healing--however it comes!--and do not let Satan put you under condemnation. It is none of his business!
Scripture Study: Deuteronomy 7:8-15
[From Faith To Faith, May 27th, 2014]
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HOW TO MOVE GOD’S HAND - Bishop David O. Abioye
Your passion for God touches the heart of God. If you want to move the hand of God in your favour, touch the heart of God with your passion.
Passion for God is more effectual than prayer to God.
Your passion for God determines your rating before God.
God honours your passion more than your prayer.
Passion for God can enhance the original plan of God for man, as it was in the case of David, who was to be anointed only as a King but ended as a prophet and a priest.
His passion for God took Him beyond been a king. 1 Sam.16:1; Act.2
His passion for God gave Him a place with God. 1 Sam.13:14
Passion is the emotional dimension of love.
It is the indescribable expression of love.
[Motivationals, May 27th, 2014]
Scripture Study: Acts 3:1-16
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DON'T BE CAUGHT BY SURPRISE - Gloria Copeland
"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
We all know that Jesus is coming back someday. And, I believe, it's much sooner than we all think. So we need to be ready. It's our responsibility to be prepared. God has given us everything we need. He has put His own Spirit within us and given us His written Word. He has given us teachers, preachers, pastors, evangelists, apostles and prophets to help us learn how to live by faith, how to live separated from the world, how to walk in the spirit, and how to operate in the power of God. But we must decide to make those things the priority in our lives. One way to keep them a priority is by cultivating the expectancy of Jesus' soon return.
We must spend time studying and meditating the scriptures about Jesus' coming. Even though God hasn't disclosed to us the exact day or the hour, according to the Bible, if we're alert, we will know the season of His return. In fact, Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24 that His coming would be like the Flood in Noah's day. That flood took the world by surprise, didn't it? The people were just going about their natural business, not expecting anything unusual, when suddenly they were swept away. They were completely in the dark about what was happening. But Noah wasn't caught by surprise! He'd been building the ark for years. He'd been expecting the Flood. He didn't know the day or the hour, but he knew it was coming and he was ready.
When it started to rain, Noah wasn't in the dark, he was in the ark! That's how we're supposed to be. We're to be aware of the season (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6). If you're watching and in tune with the Spirit, you won't be in the dark. You won't be unaware at the time of Jesus' coming. You'll know in your spirit He is at the door. You won't be caught by surprise.
Scripture Study: Matthew 24:32-44
[Pursuit Of His Presence, May 27th, 2014]
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"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth."
(Philippians 2:9-10)
Once you make up your mind to keep the commands of Jesus and begin to allow the Word to dwell in you richly, the Name of Jesus will become far more powerful to you. It will become more than just a word. It will become a force that will cause every circumstance and every demon that tries to stand in your way to bow its knee to your command.
I tell you, the Name of Jesus works. There is far greater power in it than any of us have yet realized.
My faith is so set on the authority of the Name of Jesus that there are times I just say, "In the Name" and the power of God comes on the scene.
In fact, I've discovered that the Name of Jesus--just the Name alone-- is effective when spoken by a Word-abiding believer. Revelation 19:13 says the Name of Jesus is the Word of God! So, when an evil spirit is trying to bring sickness, poverty, depression, or any other garbage into my household, I don't have to quote every scripture I know to stop him. I can just point my finger at him and say, "Jesus!" That's like throwing the whole Word of God in his face at one time!
Discover for yourself what the exalted Name can do. Begin to speak it with confidence and authority. There is power in the Name of Jesus.
Scripture Study: Acts 3:1-16
[From Faith To Faith, May 26th, 2014]
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BE FRUITFUL - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:28
Read: Genesis 1:27-28
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Message
In Genesis 1:28, “Be fruitful” is presented both as a commandment and a blessing. The blessings that God bestowed on humanity in this passage can therefore be regarded as the source from which the human race has flourished. This passage also defines a very important principle of life: fruitfulness comes before multiplication. A person that is fruitful will automatically multiply and anyone that refuses to be fruitful will never multiply. This theme is repeated about seven times in the book of Genesis alone (9:1, 9:7, 17:20, 28:3, 35:11 & 48:4) to emphasise the significance of this divine principle. Now, since the Lord has spoken and His promises are yea and Amen, why then do we have people that are barren and unfruitful? The answer is in John 15:4-5, it says:
“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. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
For any branch of the vine to be barren or unfruitful, it must either be sick or detached from the vine. It is possible for the branch to be sick according to Psalm 107:17:
“Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.”
Thank God for Psalm 107:20 which states the remedy:
“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
John 1:14 confirms Jesus as the Word that was sent, while John 6:51 says that eating the Word from God gives you access to everything you need for healing and deliverance. I therefore decree into your life, that as you read and meditate on the word of God from this moment, you will receive the power to live above sickness, bondage, poverty, failure and death in Jesus’ Name.
Furthermore, it is possible for a branch to be detached from the vine, making it impossible for the fluid of life that flows from the vine to reach the branch. Such a detached branch will not only find it impossible to bear fruit, it also stands the risk of dying off. As a result, I admonish you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today, connect yourself with the source of life and begin to bear fruit in abundance in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point: Father, please help me to remain connected to you so that all your blessings embedded in Genesis 1:28 will be my portion forever in Jesus’ Name.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 26th]
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BE A GOOD SOLDIER - Kenneth Copeland
"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
(2 Timothy 2:3)
Make no mistake about it. There are hardships involved in being a soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ. But there is no hardship, no problem, no suffering and no onslaught of persecution that can conquer you. Nothing hell can devise is powerful enough to overcome the mighty Name of Jesus and the power of the full armor of God. You are thoroughly equipped for victory. Yet to win that victory, you will have to go to the battleground. You will have to face the fact that you are a soldier. Some Christians whine, "I don't feel like fighting the fight of faith today. It's too hard!" That doesn't make any difference. You don't ask a soldier if he'd like to get up and go to combat this morning. You don't say, "Sir, could I bother you for a few moments? I hate to interrupt your checker game, but we're having a war about 10 miles up the road and I just wondered if you'd like to go?" No! You don't ask a soldier to go to the battlefield. He is under authority. He does what he is ordered.
A good soldier is willing to serve. God is looking for soldiers like that. He is looking for people who are as eager to get in on the action as the boys on my fifth-grade football team. I'll never forget that team. There were about 14 of us and every one of us was constantly hanging on the coach's arm, begging him to let us in the game. "Put me in there, Coach. I can whip that guy. Just let me have that ball. Nobody can catch me!" One thing about that bunch of boys, we were eager. We weren't any good, but we were ready. If you'll be ready spiritually, if you'll be a good soldier, if you'll endure the hardness, God will put you where the action is. He'll give you more excitement than you ever dreamed you'd have. He'll help you turn tragedies into triumphs and temptations into testimonies...if you'll give Him an opportunity.
Scripture Study: Romans 8:35-39
[Pursuit of His Presence, May 26th, 2014]
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KEY TO REST - Bishop David O. Abioye
“…And the people rested upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
2 Chr 32:8
The key to rest in life is rest in the Word.
Rest of mind proceeds from rest in the Word.
So, to access absolute rest in life, rest absolutely on the Word of God.
God’s Word is tested and proven, those who rest upon it cannot be shaken.
Men are troubled because they haven’t found the Word to rest upon.
Rest upon the Word to find rest in the world.
[Daily Devotional, May 26th, 2014]
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AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS – Kenneth Copeland
"Awake to righteousness, and sin not."(1 Corinthians 15:34)
When your alarm clock goes off tomorrow morning, don't just wake up to another day. Do what the Word says to do and "awake to righteousness!" Reawaken yourself to the glorious fact that you've been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and given right-standing with Almighty God.
Why? Because tomorrow--and every other day of your life on this earth-- Satan is going to try to convince you that you don't have any right to the things of God. He's going to try to bring you into bondage again to sin in order to control your life. But he won't be able to do it if you'll reawaken yourself every day to who you really are in Jesus.
Here's a prayerful confession to help that revelation come alive in you:
"Father, I confess anew Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior today. Lord, You are the head of my life. I completely yield myself to You. My will is now Your will. My plans are now Your plans.
"As a new creation in Christ Jesus, I accept the gift of righteousness and all that gift includes: health, prosperity, peace, joy and life abundant. I put aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets me. I now look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith.
"According to Your Word, I can now reign in this life as a king. The power of sin and death in my life has been overcome. No longer am I ruled by the forces of evil but by the God above all gods. I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me.
"I determine today to walk conscious of my right-standing with You, Lord, and with every step to draw closer and closer to You. Thank You for the gift of righteousness. Because of that gift, I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.
"In Jesus' Name. Amen!"
Scripture Study: Colossians 2:9-15
[From Faith To Faith, May 25th, 2014]
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DESTROY THOSE INCOMING SCUD MISSILES - Gloria Copeland
"Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them."
(2 Timothy 3:14)
Jesus warned us that the distractions of this age, the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things can creep in and choke the Word and make it fruitless (Mark 4:19). Right next to that verse in my Bible, I've written the letters S-C-U-D. They stand for the phrase, "Satan Continuously Uses Distractions." He's always sending those SCUD missiles at you to discourage you and draw you off course. Hey, he'll whisper, have you noticed you don't have any money? Have you noticed your body is in pain? Have you heard all the ugly things people are saying about you? How do you fight distractions like that? Just "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." I'll tell you the truth: It's not the great revelation you haven't had yet that causes you defeat. It's failing to do what you already know. So whenever you reach a hard place, continue to do what you know and you'll make it through in victory. You have everything it takes to be a winner.
You have everything you need to be a part of the glorious, victorious end-time army of God. Get aggressive. Press in. Lay hold of the kingdom of God with all the force you can muster. That's the price you pay to win this race. But one thing is sure, you not only have the present victory, but also the eternal victory you gain will be worth it all. Satan won't ever stop in his relentless efforts to distract you. But you have the power to overcome. You have the power and the knowledge to continue to do what God has already told you to do. It's that simple. Continuing will put you over. Don't quit believing and acting on God's Word. You have what it takes to destroy those incoming SCUDS!
Scripture Study: Mark 4:14-20
[Pursuit of His Presence, May 25th, 2014]
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BEWARE OF OPPORTUNITIES – Bishop David O. Abioye
Opportunity is deceptive, never be trapped by it. Stay within divine plan – that is where your security is.
Whatever opportunity offers is inferior to divine plan. Rather than responding to opportunity be in search of divine plan and abide in the same.
Stay away from anything and everything that isn’t in divine plan.
Stay away from it otherwise it can take you away from your place in destiny.
You need to possess a strong perception and discernment to know what comes from God and what is sent by satan.
Jesus was offered opportunity to be made king among men but He understood that He’s been made king of kings by destiny so He ran away from the opportunity offered by men to abide in His destiny John 6:15.
Opportunity may appear to be a fast way of assuming prominence but it cannot last.
[Daily Devotionals, May 24th, 2014]
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SURE TO WIN IN HIM - Kenneth Copeland
"Wherefore remember, that...at that time ye were without Christ...having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
(Ephesians 2:11-13)
Have you ever really thought about what it truly means to be in Christ Jesus? Have you ever gotten a clear revelation of that? Once you do, it will revolutionize your life.
You see, it's in Him that we're raised up from our sins. It's in Him that we're made to sit in heavenly places so that God can show us the exceeding riches of His grace. It's in Him that we're made the righteousness of God!
If you want that revelation to explode in you, start searching out scriptures that refer to being in Christ. Watch for the words in Him, with Him, through Him, or in Whom. Mark those and meditate on them until the truth of them gets down into your spirit man. They'll give you some powerful ammunition against the attacks of Satan.
When he tries to tell you, for instance, that you're just a sinner and God doesn't want to be bothered with your problems, you'll know he is lying. You'll be able to answer him boldly and say, "Thank God, I was a sinner, but now I'm the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I've been raised up to sit with Him in heavenly places. Now I'm in Him and you can't touch me at all!"
Be prepared the next time Satan comes at you with doubt, unbelief, and condemnation. Be ready to fight back with the scriptures about who you are in Jesus. You're sure to win once you truly know you're in Him!
Scripture Study: Ephesians 1:1-14
[From Faith To Faith, May 24th, 2014]
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THE COVENANT OF TOTAL RECOVERY - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Read: Genesis 17:1-7
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Message
‘Covenant’ literally denotes a contract. A contract is an agreement between two or more parties comprising of specific issues on which they have come to a consensus. At a later time, one of the parties involved may change his mind and that could dissolve the contract. A covenant with God is more than that. It is an eternal arrangement and is eternally binding (Genesis 17:7).
In our Bible reading today, our God entered into a covenant relationship with Abraham. He changed his name from Abram to Abraham and the name of his wife from Sarai to Sarah. When God enters into covenant with anyone, the first thing he does is to change the person to a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). The covenant between God and Abraham was sealed with the blood of circumcision. In the same vein, Christ shed His blood to seal the covenant between you and God (Matthew 26:28). Many blessings accrued to Abraham and Israel on the basis of the Abrahamic covenant. As long as they kept the covenant, there was no sick person among them; God became their only Physician (Exodus 15:26). The Almighty God was also their Protector (Exodus 23:26) and the captain of their host. The covenant guaranteed their physical protection from their enemies, from pestilence and from diseases. When they sinned against God by breaking the laws of the covenant, their prosperity became austerity, and their blessings were turned to curses. Jesus is the founder of the new covenant (Hebrews 7:22). Whoever becomes a child of God by surrendering his or her life to Christ has a lot to gain from God, because Jesus stands behind every sentence in the New Covenant.
The resources of heaven are behind Jesus and all power belongs to Him (Matthew 28:18). Are you a child of God? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus? Are you born-again? Are you serving God in holiness and in truth? Be assured that the covenant of recovery is yours. Based on the new covenant, every true child of God is called into a blessing that is richer and more assuring than is contained in the Abrahamic covenant. All you need is faith to access it (John 11:40). How do you experience this total recovery? Be born-again. Diligently study the scriptures to identify what is right and be diligent to do them. Be humble enough to trust God for your recovery and go ahead to receive your healing, divine health, divine prosperity, peace and life in abundance. Pray without ceasing, shun sin and continue to serve God in holiness and truth. Learn to appreciate God. Give thanks always and praise God for all things. Finally be a witness. Be a fruit-bearing Christian. Win souls and ensure that the souls won are followed up properly so that each will become a true disciple of Christ.
Action Point: Renew your covenant with God and make up your mind to be more committed to His service.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 24th]
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MORE THAN A GREETING - Kenneth Copeland
"Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
(Ephesians 1:2)
Have you ever stopped to think what that phrase "Grace be to you" actually means? I think most people just read over it assuming it's just a greeting of sorts. Well, it's far more powerful than that. The Apostle Paul said, "I am what I am by the grace of God" (1 Corinthians 15:10)! Acts 14:3 says that God's Word is the word of His grace. Then in Acts 20:32, it says that the word of grace is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Man, that is far too powerful to just be a greeting on a letter! Most believers have treated the subject of God's grace too lightly. For some reason, in the minds of most people, it's something vague with no real definition, other than maybe God's favor, or unmerited [undeserved] favor, as The Amplified Bible says. It certainly is that, all right, but left with just that, without a vital revelation of its power, it leaves you without understanding of something Jesus died for us to stand in.
The Word says we are heirs of grace. Partakers of it. Built up by it. Justified by it. Made all sufficient by it in all things. Made to abound to all good works by it. Saved by it through faith. The Word also says we should grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18). No one can grow in anything from God without spending time in His Word (1 Peter 2:2). God's grace is mentioned more than 120 times in the New Testament alone! That should be enough to let us know that we should be spending a whole lot more of our time studying and meditating on it. After all, it has been deposited in the reborn spirit of every person who has accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior and made Him Lord of his or her life (1 Corinthians 1:4).
Grace is powerful. It is God's willingness to enter into covenant with you, authorizing you to live in Him and giving you the right to authorize Him to come live in you, and live out His life through you. Read that over and over until you get understanding of it in your spirit. Grace is a powerful force that you need, to do the things God's called you to do. So dig into the Word. Let the spirit of revelation reveal it to you. Let it become far more than a greeting on a letter.
Scripture Study: Romans 5
[Pursuit Of His Presence, May 24th, 2014]
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THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH - Gloria Copeland
"And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." (Matthew 25:6)
The Spirit of God is delivering a vital message to you today: Get ready for Jesus' return! It's an old message. But there's a fresh urgency to it. An urgency you can't afford to ignore.
Some believers make the mistake of saying, "Oh well, I just don't think we're supposed to know about the Second Coming. It's supposed to come upon us like a thief in the night!"
But they're wrong. The Word of God says that as children of light we shouldn't be taken by surprise. We should be so keen in the Spirit that even though we don't know the day or the hour, we should sense that the season of Jesus' return has come.
First Corinthians 2:10 tells us that God reveals His plans to us through His Spirit. I suspect that those who are walking in the Spirit on the day the Lord comes again will actually begin to anticipate that something is about to happen.
Be like the five wise virgins in Matthew 25 who were prepared when the bridegroom's arrival was announced. Stay full of the oil of the Holy Spirit and with your light shining!
Don't get caught sleeping when Jesus returns. Wake up now to the Holy Spirit. Let Him put you on the inside track and get you ready for your Lord. Because just as Jesus foretold, there is a cry going out at midnight. The Spirit of the Lord is announcing His return.
Can you hear it in your spirit? Can you sense the Lord saying, "Get up and come out to meet Me. Fellowship with Me. Get in the light now, and at that crucial hour, you'll be on the inside of My plans."
Obey Him quickly. For, behold, the bridegroom cometh!
Scripture Study: Matthew 25:1-13
[From Faith To Faith, May 23rd, 2014]
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LOVE & SPIRITUAL GIFTS - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1
Read: 1 Corinthians 12:1-2
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
Message
Our God is the Almighty. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is also good and His mercy endures forever. One character of God that is transmissible through us is love. How do we show that we know God? It is by showing His love (1 John 4:8). Let us love one another. Let’s demonstrate the love of God to our brethren. Let’s show them that we care. The people we are to show love to includes those that are lovable and those that do not deserve our love. Do you love your critics? Do you love your persecutors? Do you love the unlovable? Love or charity has many beautiful attributes (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). Gifts are nothing without love. Love is kind and patient. Love bears long with the weak and needy. How kind are you? Do you demonstrate kindness in all you do? How patient are you? Some Christians are rash. They act before thinking. Such people cannot be said to demonstrate love. Love does not envy others. Jealousy is not in the dictionary of love. It is pathetic that many souls have been destroyed by jealousy. An envious soul does not see anything good in the achievements of others. Are you controlled by love or jealousy? Love is not self-centred. It cares for others. Do you love your brethren and care for them? One way to demonstrate that you care for your brethren as a lady is through modest dressing. One who really loves does not dress to kill. She is dressed to save. Christians who wear indecent clothes cannot be said to love their brethren. Another attribute of love is faith. Love believes the whole counsel of God. Love does not only believe the word of God, it acts on it. Love does not think evil. It does not live in suspicion of others. Love is humble. God is love because love is humble. God associates with the humble. If you say you love, let it reflect in your humility. Be humble. Don’t brag about your achievements. Don’t insist on bearing titles which reflect self-aggrandisement.
Love never fails to receive from God. One of the innumerable blessings of love is the right to receive answer to prayers. Those who love easily receive from God. Such people also go about doing what can be described as good. In Acts 10:38 we are told that Jesus went about doing good because God was with Him. God is always with the people who live in love. He associates with them. Consequently, miracles, signs and wonders attest to their ministry. Do you want the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit in your ministry? Live in love. Let your impact be felt for good in the life of others. Sacrifice your talents, money and other resources for the salvation and betterment of others. Spend quality time in prayer, bible study and demonstrate that you love the brethren.
Action Point: List five ways to manifest love in a sour relationship, then go ahead and implement them.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 23rd, 2014]
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KEEP SOWING - Bishop David O. Abioye
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy, he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Ps.126:5-6
Seeds don’t die,
A wise farmer is a focused sower.
He doesn’t look here and there for harvest. He trusts the earth enough to bring forth by itself. Mk 4:26-29
He is too sure that his earth will soon bring its fruit.
He believes that the earth doesn’t consume his seed but rather enhances it.
Don’t look for harvest.
It’s a natural products of seeds sown.
He that goes forth sowing his seeds will doubtless return with singing bringing in the sheaves. Ps 126:5,6
The farmer’s major duty is to keep sowing, weeding and trust God the Owner of the earth to send the rain and subsequent increase.
[Daily Devotional, May 23rd, 2014]
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MORE THAN ENOUGH - Gloria Copeland
"The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto."
(Deuteronomy 28:8)
God doesn't promise just to meet your basic needs. He says He'll give you an abundance. Some religious people would argue about that. But the truth is, there's nothing to argue about because the Word makes it perfectly clear. Look back at what we just read from Deuteronomy. Look at that for a minute. If you don't have abundance, why would you need a storehouse? A storehouse is where you put extra, the surplus, the "more-than-enough." If that's not clear to you, verse 11 of that chapter says point-blank that "the Lord shall make you have a surplus of prosperity" (The Amplified Bible). I want you to remember those words-a surplus of prosperity-because that's God's will for you.
When you made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, God's blessing came upon you, not so you could just "get by," but so you could have a surplus of prosperity. That shouldn't really surprise you. After all, if you look at God's history with man, you'll see that when He had His way, man was abundantly supplied. Everything in the Garden of Eden, for example, was good. The temperature was just right. The food was right there on the trees. All you had to do was pull it off and eat it. Talk about fast food! There was plenty of gold in the Garden. Adam and Eve lacked nothing In the same way, God cares just as much about your abundance. He wants you to have more than enough. He wants you to have good things, a good home, good food...everything! He's the God of more than enough!
Scripture Study: Psalm 35:27; Proverbs 3:9-10
[Pursuit Of His Presence, May 23rd, 2014]
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Memorise: He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17
Read: 1 Samuel 1:24-28
24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. 25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
Message
Many activities in life have a boomerang effect. Sowing for example is an activity that boomerangs with harvest. When you sow bountifully on a fertile ground, all things being equal, your harvest will be in abundance. The Bible enjoins us to give, because our giving will bounce back to us in a greater dimension. Luke 6:38 says:
“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.”
Being merciful is another activity with a boomerang effect (Luke 6:36). We should be merciful, especially to the poor and needy. There are many people living in affluence whose neighbours are languishing in penury. Such people cannot be described as merciful. Some wealthy leaders are guilty of exploitation. They defraud the poor and deny them of their right to basic amenities. Such actions are evil, sinful and unscriptural. What is your status? Are you comfortable, rich, wealthy or flourishing? There are many ways you can be merciful to the poor. You can give to orphanages. There are people with excess clothes, materials and goods which are not useful to them. Such materials can be given to the poor and needy. You can also identify some indigent children in your neighbourhood and be responsible for their education. If you have the means, you can set up a foundation that will ameliorate the effects of poverty in your neighbourhood. Are you a Christian politician? You are in position to lend to God by using your political influence to make life better for the poor and needy in your society. You can champion the cause of the poor in your constituency and ensure that necessary amenities are brought to their doorsteps.
There are basic amenities which the underprivileged should not be denied. These include access to qualitative and affordable education for their children and wards, good road network for the masses, making food available at an affordable rate, constant and uninterrupted electricity supply, security of lives and properties and access to good and affordable health care. When we help the poor, we lend to the Lord and we are rewarded for it. There are numerous rewards for those who lend to the Lord. Such rewards are both earthly and eternal. As God did to Hannah when she lent Samuel to Him, God will ensure that you are blessed on earth for giving assistance to the poor. The other reward is eternal. There are crowns awaiting triumphant saints in heaven, especially those who are merciful to the poor.
Action Point: Draw up a sustainable plan to help the poor and downtrodden around you.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 22nd]
SILENCE THE CRITICS - Gloria Copeland
"For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men."
(1 Peter 2:15)
I know from personal experience that when people start to criticize you and persecute you because you live by faith, your natural human response is to want to strike back. It's easy to want to start dishing out a little criticism of your own. "Maybe if they get a taste of their own medicine, they'll shut their mouths," you think.
But you know what? They won't. Your words will just add fuel to their fire and they'll criticize you harder and louder than they did before.
According to the Word of God, however, there is a way to silence them. Not by arguing with them. Not by defending yourself. But by keeping quiet and continuing to do the good works God has called you to do.
Jesus was highly criticized by the religious establishment of His day. But He never fought back. Instead, Acts 10:38 says He simply went about doing good.
When people start riding you about living the faith life, be like Jesus and just keep on blessing people. Keep on praying for folks who are oppressed by the devil and get them delivered. Keep on laying hands on the sick and get them healed. Keep on doing what God has called you to do.
That will aggravate the devil because his primary purpose is to make you ineffective for the kingdom of God. He wants you to get wrapped up in the criticism. He wants to distract you, to get your mind off the job God has given you. He really wants you to quit.
Don't do it! Instead, follow the instructions in 2 Timothy 3:14 and "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of." Silence the ignorant criticisms of men by continuing to do good and by continuing to live by faith. And when all their foolish words have faded away, you'll still be standing strong.
Scripture Study: Luke 23:1-9
[From Faith To Faith, May 22nd, 2014]
HOW TO ACCESS YOUR PART - Bishop David O. Abioye
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matt.5:6
Pant for God to access your part in God.
You cannot become a part of God until you pant for Him.
David’s panting heart for God was what upgraded his status from just been a king to a priest and a prophet.
You can use your panting for God to enhance your part from God. Phil 3:10
It is those who long for God that will go long in accessing His treasures.
Your yearning for God is what determines your earnings from God.
It is as men desires more of God that they deserves more from God.
[Daily Devotional, May 22nd, 2014]
A FROG-STRANGLER IS COMING - Kenneth Copeland
"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive.)"
(John 7:38-39)
A spiritual flood is coming! As we would say in West Texas, we are in for a frog-strangler rain of the Holy Ghost, and it has already begun to fall! The prophets of God have been prophesying about this rain for thousands of years. Of course, they don't call it a frog-strangler like I do. They call it "the former and latter rain," an outpouring of the Spirit that combines the power of the old covenant with the power of the new covenant manifesting all at the same time. As a believer, you are a vessel that contains God's power and glory. A vessel is a pitcher that you pour from. That means you're the spout where the glory comes out! Now, let me ask you this...According to John 7:38-39, where did Jesus say the rivers of the Spirit would flow? From inside the belly (or heart) of believers. Where does the Holy Spirit reside? Inside believers. So where will this final dynamic supernatural flood of power come from in these last days? You've got it-it will flow forth from the spirit of believers. From Holy Ghost-filled people like you and me! "But, wait a minute," you say. "We're talking about signs and wonders of global proportions here. We're talking about a flood that will cover the whole earth with God's glory.
How could something of that magnitude come from one person like me?" It won't. It will come from all of us together. It will come as the Holy Spirit river flowing out of you joins up with the Holy Spirit river flowing out of me. Then our rivers will come together with the rivers of millions of other believers. It will come when, like those disciples in the upper room, we start praying in one accord-when we stop fussing with one another and begin to agree with one another and come into unity of faith. Your natural mind might have a hard time grasping that such a thing is even possible. But it is. What's more, it will happen because the Bible says so (Ephesians 4:13). And when it does, we'll see the same things the early Church saw when they were in one accord-and greater things. Signs and wonders will start following us. Some crippled fellow sitting outside the church building will get healed because a believer jerked him up by the hand and said, "In the Name of Jesus, rise and walk!" Then he'll start jumping up and down, and running through town telling how he's been healed-and 5,000 people will get saved in a day. I'm telling you...it will be a frog-strangler rain of the Holy Ghost!
Scripture Study: Jeremiah 17:7-13
[Pursuit Of His Presence, May 22nd, 2014]
FULFILLING YOUR DESTINY - Gloria Copeland
"As thou [the Father] hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them [those who believe on me] into the world."
(John 17:18)
"What's God's plan for my life?" We've all asked that question at some point in our lives. Christians everywhere are longing to answer God's call. They're eager to fulfill the divine purpose for which they were created. But they need direction in finding out what that plan is... God never intended for us to be in the dark about His plan for our lives. He left us clear, written instructions concerning His will for us. What's more, He gave us a pattern to follow so we could see how to carry out those instructions. The pattern is Jesus. You've been sent forth into the world to continue His ministry. I know that sounds like a tall order, but it's true. He said so Himself in John 17:18.
Once we realize Jesus is the pattern, we need to find out exactly what Jesus was sent to do: "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). Think about that. You're called to finish what Jesus began: to destroy, undo and bring to naught the works of the devil on earth. That is the job God wants us to do. "That's a big job, Gloria! How on earth am I ever going to do that?" The same way Jesus did. After all, He promised, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12). In short, the works, or ministry of Jesus was threefold: 1) He healed the sick, 2) He cast out demons, and 3) He preached the good news of the kingdom of God.
Now, I know it's easy to do the preaching and not the other two works. But the gospel was never designed to be preached without proof that Jesus is alive today. Jesus didn't just say, "The kingdom of God is here." He demonstrated it. He proved the truth of what He was saying by operating in the supernatural power of God. And He expects us to do the same. That's God's plan for your life! God's program is still the same. It didn't change when Jesus went to sit at the right hand of the Father. He's still expecting us to do the things He did and finish what He started. He is sitting at the right hand of God this very minute, waiting for us. He is waiting for us to rise up by the Spirit of God and make His enemies His footstool. So what are you waiting for? Fulfill God's plan in the earth. Fulfill your calling. Fulfill your destiny.
Scripture Study: Matthew 8:16, 9:35
[Pursuit of His Presence, May 21st, 2014]
KEY TO EVERY DOOR - Bishop David O. Abioye
“By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned”.
Heb 11:29
Every door bows to faith.
Wherever faith turns doors are bound to open.
Faith opened the door through the Red Sea.
Faith does what no natural man can try.
The Red Sea opened to faith put to work by God’s people.
Any journey embarked upon by faith always end as a walk over.
The walk of faith is walk of triumph.
At the instance and advancement of faith the walls of Jericho fell. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days” Heb 11:30
When faith stands up everything bows.
When faith goes up every other thing goes down. Nothing remains standing when faith stands.
[Daily Devotional, May 21st, 2014]
POSSESS YOUR PROMISED LAND - Gloria Copeland
"When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you...and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it." (Numbers 33:51-53)
God has given you a Promised Land. It's a place flowing with milk and honey, where your every need can be met. A place where you can keep sin underfoot as you rule and reign with Christ. A place where no weapon formed against you will prosper. A place where you are seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above principalities and powers--far from oppression.
As you study the Word of God, you'll find that's an accurate description of the kind of victory you should be experiencing in Christ--not in the sweet by-and-by--but right here, right now.
You may say, "Yes, that sounds nice in theory, but I'm dealing with reality here. The rent is due, and all I see is sickness, oppression and fear. This doesn't look like much of a Promised Land to me."
Are you still letting the devil live there? He's not just going to pack up and go home, you know, just because God has promised you victory. You have to kick him out.
But don't let that scare you. God has given you the power to do it. Remember what Jesus said? He said, "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" (Luke 10:19).
What's more, the devil is totally unarmed! Colossians 2:15 says, "[God] disarmed the principalities and powers ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in...[the cross]" (The Amplified Bible). You have absolutely no reason to cower before the devil. Jesus defeated and disarmed him through His death, burial and resurrection. The devil can't defeat you unless you let him. All he can do is make empty threats.
But beware! Empty threats can stop you cold if you believe them. So don't. Believe the Word of God instead. Use the Word and the Name of Jesus to drive the devil out of every last detail of your life.
Don't let him dwell in your territory. Force him to pack up and go home. Start possessing your Promised Land!
Scripture Study: Mark 16:17-18; James 5:7-9
[From Faith To Faith, May 21st, 2014]
SAFETY IN CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING - Pastor E.A. Adeboye
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.
TIME FOR MIRACLES – Pastor E. A. Adeboye
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.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 20th]
NO WHINING, PLEASE - Kenneth Copeland
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"
(Matthew 18:21-22, New International Version)
We need to face the fact that we can't walk with God and be even a little unforgiving or a little offended. If we're going to walk with God, we must allow His love to drive out every trace of any kind of unforgiveness. "But you just don't know how badly they treated me!" Has God forgiven your sin? "Yes." Then you forgive them. Period. End of discussion. Quit crying and whining about how hurt you are.
Maybe you have been mistreated, but if so-get over it! Everyone has been mistreated in some form or another. The reason I can talk so straight to you about this is that God has already said these things to me. I remember one day when I was moping around at home. I'd just come in from preaching on the road and it seemed that as soon as I got there, I had to start fighting the devil. I was whining about it when Gloria said something to me I didn't like. "Oh, she doesn't care about me anyway," I muttered in self-pity. Right then, the Lord spoke up in my heart and said, It isn't any of your business whether she cares for you or not. It's your business to care for her. Then He added something I'll never forget. He said, I'm the One who cares whether you hurt or not. Your hurts mean everything in the world to Me, but they ought to mean little or nothing to you. As the Church, we need to learn that today. We need to quit paying so much attention to our own hurts and cast them over on God.
We need to take a lesson from the pioneers of the faith. People like Peter and John and those Pentecostal old-timers years ago would walk into the very jaws of hell. They'd go through persecutions that make the things we face look like child's play. They didn't come out crying about how they'd been hurt either. They came out saying, "Glory to God! We're getting an opportunity to suffer for His Name. What a privilege!" When you have that attitude, it's not hard to forgive because your focus isn't on yourself. It's on God and His purposes, God and His love. If you want to discover the secret to real forgiveness, that's where your focus has to be-on God. We are instructed to forgive others in the same way, or on the same basis, that God has forgiven us.
Scripture Study: Matthew 18:21-35
[Pursuit of His Presence, May 20th, 2014]
THE REAL TEST OF LIFE - Bishop David O. Abioye
The real test of man is when He is under pressure.
Just as strength of metal objects are best discovered when subject to all kinds of tests.
You don’t know who you really are until you are under pressure.
You are either reacting to pressure by giving way to it or you are responding to pressure by building up strength with it.
Pressure certainly will not leave you the way it came to you. It will either shrink you or stretch you. It will either break you or make you. It will either reduce you or increase you.
[Daily Devotional, May 20th, 2014]
FREE FROM THE CURSE - Kenneth Copeland
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."
(Galatians 3:13)
You know the story. Satan came to Adam's wife in the form of a serpent and deceived her into disobeying God. Adam, although he was not deceived, followed suit.
When Satan came into the Garden that day, he didn't have any power at all. He had to come in like a sneak, not even talking to Adam directly but talking to his wife.
Now Adam was standing there, and he should have kicked him out right then. But he didn't. Instead, he set aside the command God had given him and did what Satan told him to do instead...and when he did that, he made Satan his lord.
In bowing his knee to Satan, Adam gave Satan the authority that God had given man. He made Satan the illegitimate ruler of the earth. Immediately things changed. Through one man's trespass, death passed to all men (Rom. 5:12). The earth and everything in it was suddenly cursed.
"Okay," you say, "are we to live under this curse for the rest of our lives? Wasn't there anything God could do?"
He could and He did! He sent Jesus. Through Jesus, He set us free from the curse (Gal. 3:13).
The moment you made Jesus Christ Lord of your life, you were delivered from the lordship of Satan. You were redeemed from the curse. I didn't say the curse wasn't out there anymore. It is! You can see it all around you. But now you have a choice. You have authority over it in the Name of Jesus, so you can stand against it.
God's done everything that love can do. He sent Jesus to redeem you from the curse. The rest is up to you. Now you must appropriate what has already been done for you.
Scripture Study: Romans 5:12-21
[From Faith To Faith, May 20th, 2014]
DON'T WASTE TIME WONDERING - Kenneth Copeland
"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17)
Sometimes, believers wring their hands and worry about whether or not they're praying according to God's will. "Oh, dear me," they say, "I certainly can't expect God to do something for me that's outside His will." And they're absolutely right.
But they don't need to waste time standing around looking puzzled. They need to grab their Bibles and find out what the will of God is.
God has made some very specific promises in His Word and it's His will to fulfill every one of them in your life. In fact, those promises are divinely guaranteed by a contract that's been signed in the blood of Jesus.
Think of it this way. Your Bible is the last will and testament of Jesus Christ. It is a record of your inheritance. Everything that belongs to you has been written down in that book and the smartest thing you can do is to find out what is in it. Don't leave it lying on the coffee table and hit the floor crying, "Oh, God! Oh, God! I'm searching for the truth."
Pick up your Bible from the coffee table and find out what belongs to you! Find out how you need to change to get in line with God's will.
Some people don't do that. They try to change God instead. They'll go on and on trying to convince God just how badly they hurt or how poor they are. They'll beg and plead and wheedle, all the while acting as though they had to somehow change God's mind about the situation. Those folks are in for a long wait.
God is never going to change. The Bible says He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. His will is too. So don't waste your time wondering if your prayers are in line with it. Get the Book and base your prayers on it. Then you can rest assured the answer is on the way!
Scripture Study: Proverbs 2:1-12
[From Faith To Faith, May 19th, 2014]
HIGHEST ORDER OF PRAYER - Bishop David O. Abioye
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”. Eph 6:18
Praying in the Holy Ghost is the highest order of prayer.
It is error free
It is all embracing
It is contamination free
It releases charges to charge the atmosphere.
Praying in the language of the spirit releases the spirit to work
Praying in the spirit connects the human spirit to the Holy Spirit.
It moves the Holy Spirit to interact with the human spirit.
Praying in the spirit releases uncommon energy. “But, ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” Jude 20
[Daily Devotional, May 19th, 2014]
IDENTIFY THE ENEMY - Gloria Copeland
"But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me." (2 Timothy 3:10-11)
Persecution comes through people...sometimes through those we love the most and are closest to. But despite what you're tempted to believe, those people are not the source of your problem. According to Mark 4, it's the devil himself who stirs up persecution. It's one of the strategies he uses to steal the Word out of your heart. So when persecution comes your way, don't get sidetracked by getting angry with the people involved. They aren't operating on their own, they're being driven by the devil's influence. Use the power and authority Jesus has given you and bind that persecuting devil. Then break the power of deception over the people he has been using, and pray that they'll be free to know the truth.
Once you understand who the real enemy is, and pray accordingly, the next thing God instructs you to do is to continue in your well-doing. "For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men" (1 Peter 2:15). You're not called to argue. You're not called to defend your position or your name when men speak evil about you. Just leave all that in the hands of the Lord and continue doing what God has called you to do. That's what Jesus did. He didn't quit. When He was reviled, He reviled not. He just kept right on preaching the gospel, healing the sick and delivering all who were oppressed of the devil. He just kept right on walking in victory! I know it's tough to be quiet in times of persecution, but you can do it if you're confident that God will ultimately deliver you. That's why Paul was able to live so triumphantly. In 2 Timothy 3:11, he said God delivered him from all of his persecutions!
Glory to God, we're not in this alone! When we're in the midst of persecution, God is right there with us. So rely upon Him. Spend time in prayer. Listen to what He says. Obey His instructions when it seems like all of hell has broken loose upon you. He'll deliver you out of those persecutions-not just once in a while, but every time!
Scripture Study: Matthew 5:10-16
[Pursuit of His Presence, May 19th, 2014]
WORKS OF THE DEVIL - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
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.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 19th]
GOD HATES DIVORCE - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Matthew 5:32
Read: Malachi 2:13-16
13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. 14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
Message
The Church and the community at large are concerned with the stability of family life. Family instability contributes to human suffering, which can continue to the third and fourth generation. This is crucial because children need two actively involved parents who love them and each other, if they are to be emotionally prepared for future deep, personal relationships necessary for the making of a good marriage. Divorce represents a kind of bereavement because out of it comes severe damage and destruction of important personal relationships. Problems like deep mistrust of others, the fear of close relations and the fear of desertion are the result of divorce. Divorce is not an experience from which a sensitive person easily recovers. Its residual emotional scars may be life-long and may contribute to emotional warping in the next generation. God hates divorce. God’s ideal for marriage is that it be permanent. He stated this in Matthew 19:6 which says, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Marriage is a relationship in which two adults of the opposite sex make an emotional and legal commitment to live together. In today’s society, people engage in marriage for love, companionship, fulfilment of expectations and economic needs. Though marriage is a social institution that is cherished and highly revered in every culture of the world, it is sometimes afflicted with so many conflicts that often result in divorce. There is no denying the fact that marriage breeds more conflicts than most other social institutions, and that most couples frequently disagree, quarrel, nag or throw up the past at each other at one point or the other. This is an age of easy divorce. Many people enter marriage with an ‘escape hatch’ frame of mind: “if this doesn’t work out, we can always call it off and move on”. Consequently, termination of unhappy marriages by divorce is increasing; so also is the number of children in disrupted marriages. Every marriage has conflicts to be resolved. Whenever a conflict is not resolved, it feeds upon itself and gradually creates circumstances that could complicate the task of resolution. In effect, one quarrel leads to another and the vicious cycle of conflicts becomes difficult to break. Since God hates divorce, it is advisable that couples should always endeavour to resolve all marital conflicts and prevent their marriage from being destroyed.
Action Point: Always agree with your spouse on the need to resolve your marital conflicts promptly.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 18th]
[Open Heavens 2014, May 18th]
ANOINTED VESSEL FOR DIVINE UTTERANCE - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorise: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. Isaiah 61:1
Read: Jeremiah 1:6-10
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Message
The anointing of God has some similarities with electricity. It flows from God, through man, to men. One major purpose of the anointing as enunciated in Isaiah 10:27 is to destroy the yokes the devil has placed on men: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” One of the methods through which the anointing flows through a man is by divine utterance. God is the One that anoints or sets aside a man for divine utterances. I pray that you will be anointed for divine utterance in Jesus’ Name. A man is anointed by God to bring solution to the problems of his generation. Anointed vessels are set apart by God for leadership purposes. They are also set apart as watchmen to warn God’s people, like Ezekiel. To be an anointed vessel for divine utterance, you must be sensitive to the voice of God (1 Samuel 3:4) and obedient to both God and your human superiors like Joshua was to Moses. You must also be truthful, faithful and have unfeigned commitment to the work of God. An anointed vessel for divine utterance should be available, teachable, meek, patient, holy, bold, prayerful and should love God. You can be an anointed vessel for divine utterance today if you make up your mind to hear and to speak the voice of God, obey His voice and encourage others to do the same.
A person that desires to be an anointed vessel for divine utterance must understand the Personality behind the voice he seeks to relay, especially with respect to His dealings with and His desires for His people. He must understand that our God is good and there is no iota of evil in Him. He is the God of Solution. He is a strong Rock and Foundation (Psalm 31:2-3). As a Rock, God covers believers with strength (Psalm 18:32). He grants excellent physical, spiritual and material health. As a Rock, He grants instant and ultimate salvation to His own. As a Rock, God overtakes, defeats and destroys all the enemies of His children, bringing them to submission (Romans 8:30-32). God is our fortress (Psalm 18:2). As our fortress, God turns mourning to dancing, turns childlessness and barrenness to fruitfulness and turns poverty to wealth. God is our deliverer. He knows all things, sees all things and performs all good things for His people.
Action Point: Seek to be an anointed vessel of God for divine utterance today. Nothing is as profitable.
[Open Heavens 2014, May 17th]
GOD OF PURPOSE - 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 : PROVERBS 3 : 5 – 7.
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ISAIAH 30 : 18 – 33 : 24; PSALM 36.
Our God is a God of purpose. He created man for a purpose. He declared His purpose for man even before creating him in His own image. The Bible in Genesis 1 : 26 says,
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
Therefore, know that you were born for a purpose; you are not an accident, even if your parents were no longer expecting children at the point they had you, just like it happened in my own case. It could even be that you’re a child out of wedlock. Notwithstanding all these, the fact that you came and you survived despite all the forces against you, and that you became exposed to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, shows that God has you uppermost in His heart. You got this far because He was behind the scene working out His purpose for your life. So don’t let the devil deceive and rob you of your glorious destiny. Remember, Solomon was a product of a relationship founded on adultery and intrigue that resulted in the murder of his mother’s husband.
The true children of God were chosen from the foundation of the world ( Ephesians 1 : 4 – 5 ). He chose us for different purposes. We should seek out His purpose and rest in Him while He brings it to pass. Moses, who was chosen for a great purpose by God, jumped ahead in his own self-counsel to begin the deliverance of his people. The result was a forty year wait in the wilderness. Do not jump ahead of God, stay close to His heartbeat in the place of meditation. Hear what He will have you do per time. Knowing and walking in God’s purpose for your life brings a level of confidence that makes you exude calmness in the midst of the storm. This was the case with Paul in Acts 27 : 23 – 25 :
“For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.“
Know that there is a purpose for you, discover what that purpose is and pursue it with all your might. God will help you in Jesus’ Name.
ACTION POINT :
Praise God for who He has made you to be; you are fearfully and wonderfully made with a purpose to fulfil.
[Open Heavens 2014, February 11th]
KEEP TOUCHING LIVES - Bishop David O. Abioye
Never care for accolades.
Never seek for rewards.
Never be bothered about who appreciate or do not appreciate you or your works.
Just keep reaching out and touching lives. Your reward is sure to come.
The lives you touch are the ones that will keep spreading the values of your life and ministry.
[Daily Devotional, February 11th, 2014]
DARE TO BE COURAGEOUS! - Kenneth Copeland
"My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
(Ephesians 6:10)
In the face of impossible challenges, God gives us the same instruction He gave to Joshua and Solomon. "Be strong and very courageous." He does not say, "You pray and I'll make you strong." He says, "You be strong-not in your own power, but in My might." Clearly, being courageous is our responsibility, and it's not a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. It's a command. The word translated courage in the Hebrew means "to be sharp, alert or clearheaded." It also means "to be strong or confirmed." When I looked up the word confirmed in the dictionary, I found it means, "to be strengthened, established and made more firm." The word virtue in 2 Peter 1:5 carries this same idea. There, the Apostle Peter tells us, "Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue." In other words, "Add to your faith courageous, moral energy." There's a conspicuous lack of courageous, moral energy among many believers today. Great numbers of Christians know the Word says that by the stripes of Jesus we were healed (1 Peter 2:24). They believe it. They have been taught that if they'll fill their hearts and mouths with that Word-and stick with it long enough-healing will be certain to manifest in their bodies. Why then don't more people take hold of that Word and stay with it until they're healed? No courage. No moral energy.
You see the same problem in the area of finances. Christians everywhere want to be debt free. They know the truth. So they confess, "I'm the head and not the tail. I lend to many, but I don't borrow! God meets all my needs..." and so on. But when it comes time to buy a car, a house or build a church, they wilt. "Oh my, that's a lot of money. There's no way in the world I'll ever be able to believe God for that much money." What makes people back off their faith like that? A lack of courage. A lack of moral energy.
You may be facing some serious circumstances today. It may be your health, your family, your finances. Whatever it is, being courageous to believe the Word of God can put you over. But, you have to choose to stand up to the fear, to stand up to that doubt. Boldly declare, "Fear, you have no place in me. I'll not serve you. I dare to believe the Word of God! I dare to stand on it and not back off! I dare to be courageous!"
Scripture Study: Psalm 31
[Pursuit Of His Presence, February 11th]
MEET ME – ON THE MOUNTAIN – Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE : For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth
eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57
: 15.
READ : 1 KINGS 18 : 17 – 19.
17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy
father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ISAIAH 28 : 1 – 30 : 17; PSALM 35.
Though mountains are usually regarded as symbols of problems, obstacles and obstructions to progress, they can also be a place for great achievements. Elijah set the stage for an explosive encounter with top agents of the devil on Mount Carmel. He brought down revival and God was glorified on this mountain. A mountain can have good or positive uses. In Exodus 17 : 10 – 13, Moses demonstrated that a mountain can be a suitable place to direct battles. As you get on the
mountain with God, every battle of life confronting you shall be
crushed just as the Amalekites were routed and crushed before Israel while Moses was on the mountain. The mountain top is a place of loneliness, because when you really want to be intimate with God, it can only be you and God alone. The glory that accompanies being with God however makes it worth the price. With glory from the mountain top, your next contact with men in troubling situations is bound to deliver a solution. The episode described in Matthew 14 : 22 – 32 clearly reveals that Jesus Christ was able to bring respite to the disciples’ nasty experience of being tossed about by a terrible storm
on the Sea of Galilee after spending some time with His father on the mountain.
The most important thing about the mountain top is that it is a place of answered prayers. Miracles happen there, as well as incredible things that would build the faith of unbelievers and bring down revival among the people of God. The unrepentant enemies of God meet their waterloo on the mountain, just like it happened in the case of Elijah ( 1 Kings 18 : 36 – 40 ). It should be realised however, that before these wonderful experiences can occur, there must be preparation in terms of separation, and a decision to serve God and Him alone is a necessity. Getting to the mountain top is by divine selection; Jesus took only three out of twelve disciples along with Him to the Mount of Transfiguration ( Matthew 17 : 1 – 2 ). Jesus led the three of them, thus showing that God would lead anyone up there who is meek, humble, gentle and peaceful ( Psalm 25 : 9, Isaiah 57 :
15 ). Note also that He led them; He did not carry them, meaning that such individuals must be willing to pay the price, because climbing requires effort. As you desire the mountain top experience, may the grace to pay the price be given to you in Jesus’ Name. Finally, remember that you must have clean hands and a pure heart to access the mountain top of God ( Psalm 24 : 3 – 4 ). There is no room for fraudulent and dishonest imaginations at the mountain top.
PRAYER POINT :
Pray that God will grant you the essential qualities required for
mountain top experiences.
[Open Heavens 2014, February 10th]
FLOW IN THE FRUIT - Gloria Copeland
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
(Galatians 5:22-23)
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the power of God were flowing through you all the time? Wouldn't it be marvelous if you could walk in His supernatural might every day of your life? There's no question about it. That would be a glorious way to live. But most Christians don't believe it's possible. That's because they think God's supernatural power comes only through the gifts of the Spirit, and the Bible says those gifts are given only as God wills. While it's true that we can't operate in the gifts of the Spirit-such as words of wisdom and knowledge, gifts of healing and miracles-24 hours a day, God has given us a well of supernatural power that is continually bubbling up within us. He has made resident within our born-again spirit a mighty force that can enable us to overcome anything the devil might throw our way any moment of the day or night. Galatians 5:22-23 calls this unbeatable force the fruit of the spirit. It includes love, joy, peace, long-suffering (or patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (or self-control).
Contrary to popular belief, the fruit of the spirit doesn't just consist of a nice set of qualities we should adopt so we'll be pleasant company-although people who have this fruit are delightfully pleasant! The fruit of the spirit actually releases the supernatural power of God in our lives. Love, for example, is God's power to overcome every obstacle, for as 1 Corinthians 13:8 (New International Version) says: "Love never fails." Joy fortifies you with supernatural power when you start to weaken, for Nehemiah 8:10 says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
Peace undergirds you and helps you make supernaturally correct decisions, for Colossians 3:15 (The Amplified Bible) says, "Let the peace...from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds...]." And on down the list I could go.
The fruit of the spirit is God's provision for the strength of your character to be developed, so you can be overcoming in all circumstances. Study it. Learn to yield to it. Watch that life force come out of you and put you over as you grow. When you do, you'll flow in the fruit...the fruit of the spirit!
Scripture Study: 2 Peter 1:5-11
[Pursuit Of His Presence, February 10th]
MIND YOUR LIFESTYLE - Bishop David O. Abioye
The way you live is more important than the way you work.
It is your lifestyle that gives value to your “workstyle”
You may be hardworking and lack people’s respect if your life doesn’t represent the core values of life.
I’ll rather spend time modelling my life than with my work at the detriment of my life.
[Daily Devotional, February 10th, 2014]
ACCEPTED TIME (Part II) – Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE:
Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
John 7:8
READ: John 11:39-44
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ISAIAH 19:16, 23:18 and PSALM 34:1-10
MESSAGE
God is never too early, and He is never too late. His timetable is set on purpose; the purpose is not only for your sake but also for His. In all things, His name shall be glorified. No doubt, He would have been glorified healing Lazarus of his sickness, but this cannot compare to raising him from the dead after four days. God works according to His own time-table. His time-table is not necessarily in tune with your own time-table, even when it concerns situations or issues of your life for which you desire His intervention. Being the perfect God that He is, His time-table is the perfect one and not yours. Your case will soon become a testimony that will bring you great joy and celebration; your testimony will also bring great glory to God, in Jesus’ Name. Keep resting in Jesus, keep trusting in Him, and don’t shift your focus from Him. You are on the verge of God turning the table in your favour and turning it against your enemies.
The attributes of God’s nature such as omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience are demonstrated in the way His timetable works. His love moves Him to seek the good of His people and to desire their peace, joy, fulfilment, health etc. By His omnipresence and omniscience, He sees and knows all that is going on, even to the smallest detail. Through His omnipotence, He has the ability to effect the required and desirable change – for example, He can make a ninety year old woman conceive a child, as was the case with Sarah. He can bring back to life a decaying corpse, as was the case of Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary (John 11:39-44). He can also make a woman to have natural birth after three previous births by caesarean section, as He did for my wife. God, by His omnipotence is even able to bring back lost opportunities, such as in the life of Abraham, who in spite of working out his own plan to fulfil God’s purpose for his life, still received the true seed of promise, though his action and expectation should have aborted God’s original plan for his life (Genesis 17:16-19).
What more can we hope for? When God is at work, the impossible becomes possible, the irreversible becomes reversed, and the hopeless becomes hopeful. He can rewrite history with your life. For someone using this devotional now, your accepted time is now. Your story is changing from a shameful or reproachful one to an enviable one. You will forget quickly the pain and sorrow of your past by the change of events which will occur soon in Jesus’ Name.
ACTION POINT:
Extol God for all His attributes: love, power, faithfulness and others. Tell Him you love and will serve Him with all your heart. Then tell Him what you want Him to do for you.
[Open Heavens 2014, February 8th]
AN OPEN DOOR TO THE DEVIL - Gloria Copeland
"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
(James 3:14-16)
The most hazardous weapon the devil uses against us is a foremost enemy of love. The weapon: strife. Strife means "vigorous or bitter conflict, discord and antagonism; to quarrel, struggle or clash; competition; rivalry." Strife is of the devil. It is an open door to the devil. It licenses him to bring confusion and evil into your life. That's why he's always pushing for us to argue with one another and get offended or critical of one another. It gives him access to us! You see, when you were born again, the Bible says you were delivered out of the control and the dominion of darkness and into the kingdom of God's Son (Colossians 1:13). At that time, the devil lost his right of lordship over you and you received salvation. Salvation doesn't just include the new birth, it includes all the blessings of God.
Peace, healing, well-being, finances and provision for every area of your life belong to you the moment you become a child of God. But Satan doesn't want you to enjoy those blessings. He doesn't want you to be healed, happy and prosperous, because if you are, other people will notice and want the same quality of life you have. They'll give their hearts to God because of the goodness of God they see in your life. In order to stop that from happening, the devil tries to steal those blessings from you. But since he has no authority over you anymore, to successfully do that, he has to trick you into opening the door of your life to him. So what does he do? He tries to get you into strife. He brings you an opportunity to have a conflict with someone because he knows that the moment you step into strife, he can begin to gain the mastery over you. I remember when Ken and I first received that revelation years ago.
We realized that if we wanted to walk in the full blessing of God, we would have to stay out of strife. We wouldn't be able to argue with people. We wouldn't be able to fight back when people criticized us or wronged us. We'd have to respond in love. So we made up our minds to put strife out of our family. We kept it out of our ministry. When we did mess up and exchange harsh words, we determined we had to be quick to repent or the devil would have a foothold in our lives. You do the same thing. Don't open the door to the devil in your life. Shut it! Put strife out of your life. Put it out of your family. Put it out of your church. When you do, you'll enjoy the blessings of God like never before!
Scripture Study: Romans 13:11-14
[Pursuit Of His Presence, February 8th]
THE HIGHEST ORDER OF COURAGE - Bishop David O. Abioye
The highest demonstration of courage is not confrontation but submission.
The most courageous is the most submissive.
Following God requires far more courage than confronting satan. Those who are courageous in following God will naturally be courageous in confronting opposition.
Courageously follow the Lord and you will care-less about confronting the enemy.
Those who truly follow the Lord don’t fear oppositions.
[Daily Devotional, February 8th, 2014]
ACCEPTED TIME (Part I) – Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE : To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ECCLESIASTES 3 : 1.
READ : ECCLESIASTES 3 : 1 – 8.
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ISAIAH 14 : 28 – 19 :15; PSALM 33 : 12 – 22.
God in His perfection has His own ways of doing things. One of such ways is that He has a timetable by which He works, and He follows it strictly. This is demonstrated in the way He handled the case of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha ( John 11 : 1 – 8 ). The Bible says He loved this man and his two sisters. Because of this love, the sisters of Lazarus were in no panicky state at all when he fell sick because they knew that all they needed was for Jesus to hear that His friend was sick and He would rush to the scene and heal him immediately. How mistaken they were. However, God knew of the condition of Lazarus even before it happened. The Bible says:
“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15 : 18
Lazarus’ sisters waited for Jesus to come till the time they concluded it was all over. They were not disappointed at the end because when it was time for Him to act according to His timetable, their mourning turned to joy and they sang a new song.
If you are truly His child, walking uprightly before Him, be aware that He knows of that experience you are having for which you earnestly desire a change. He is not just getting aware of it now but He knew about it before you were born. How amazing! When He stepped into the case of Lazarus according to His own time-table on the fourth day of his demise, the hopeless situation became a great testimony. Has His “delay” made your case worse, or has your case degenerated and decayed, just like the body of Lazarus in the grave for four days? I have good news for you: the Lord will step in and yours shall be a mighty testimony, and great joy shall follow in Jesus’ Name.
Note that while the disappointment of Martha and Mary lasted over their dead brother, it was not reported that they got angry with Jesus. In grief, they did not consider Him less than they had taken Him to be. They did not blaspheme or say rubbish against God. There is no doubt that they were pained because Jesus did not come around at their own timing when, supposedly, there was still hope. Nevertheless, their response to Jesus was still that of reverence ( John 11 : 32 ).
KEY POINT :
Ensure you do not get angry with God when faced with trouble. This could compound your problem.
[Open Heavens 2014, February 7th]
SETTLE IT AT THE TABLE – Kenneth Copeland
"That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us."
(Hebrews 6:18)
Faith has never changed. God has never changed. The only ones who need to do some changing are you and I. We need to make some adjustments. First, we need to get off our religion and get on the Word of God. We need to find out what God has provided and walk in it in an indelible manner. We need to learn to take advantage of what Hebrews 6:18 calls the two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie-God's sworn oath in the blood and the body of Jesus.
We need to start thinking in terms of God's blood oath that can't be broken. That's what the New Testament is. That's what we're dealing with when we take Communion. Bread and wine-body and blood. It's the securing of the covenant. When you want something settled once and for all, go to God about it.
Come to Him with all your homework done and go over His Word with Him. Rehearse before Him His promises about that situation, then seal it with Communion. That will finalize it in your mind. I can tell you from experience, it is a powerful thing.
Gloria and I have done it many times over some very serious issues. It sealed our faith so completely that at the moment of Communion, those things ceased to be issues for us in our own minds. They were settled in the blood of Jesus.
If you're facing something today that, in the natural, looks overwhelming, go to the table. Whether it's cancer, a serious financial need or direction you're needing, settle it in the blood of Jesus. Settle it at the Communion table.
Scripture Study: Matthew 26:26-29
[Pursuit Of His Presence, February 7th]
YOUR BRAIN, YOUR GAINS – Bishop David O. Abioye
Where no brain is at work there can’t be gain of worth.
Worthy gains are products of working brain.
Keep the brain working to keep the gains flowing.
The gains will not cease to flow for as long as the brain does not cease to work. Gains on ground is a sign of brain (s) at work.
Wake up the brain to download the gains.
When you suffer a loss or losses stir up the brain to reverse the order.
If you want to multiply your gains intensify the workings of your brain.
The only way to turn drain into gain is to put the brain to work.
With brain at work you will no longer suffer drains.
[Daily Devotional, February 7th, 2014]
THE PARADOX OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - 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 : JOHN 15 : 18 – 19.
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ISAIAH 11 : 1 – 14 :27; PSALM 33 : 1 – 11.
There are people with dual citizenship in this world. Some others migrate and renounce the citizenship of where they are coming from to take up that of another land. The nature of a believer is close to this. Before becoming born-again, you were born to exist in this physical world, but when you give your life to Christ, you now exist at a higher spiritual realm of God in addition to being present in this physical world. John 1 : 12 – 13 says:
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
This dual contrasting existence of every child of God poses some challenges especially in a world that is hostile to the ways of our native land. The ways and manners of our native land are outlined for us in the Bible. These Bible traditions which form the pattern for our life are not going to be popular in this world but rather, demon-inspired fashions, styles and behaviours will continue to be the norm. The unfortunate thing is that some people of God have lost their identity and are occupied with the fashion of this world which will pass away. Our Lord made it very clear from our Bible reading for today that the world will not love us because we are not of the world. We are also instructed in 1 John 2 : 15 not to love the world or the things that are in the world.
We need to be clear about our identity. We are told that though we are in this world, we are not of the world. We therefore ought not to be bugged down by the affairs of this world but rather by that of our native land – Heaven. We are to exhibit the culture of Heaven right here in this world. Our affections ought to be on the things above ( Colossians 3 : 1 – 2 ). Beloved, what is your affection set on? What are those things you are seeking? Remember, friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4 : 4 ). This means if you claim to be a child of God, and yet you love the world and its ways and methods of evil doings, in reality you’re an enemy of God. Please examine your life and ways this moment; you may not have been like that from the beginning, but by not being sober and vigilant you exposed yourself to the subtlety of the wicked one. Turn to God now with godly sorrow and repentance, and he will forgive you and restore you to spiritual fervency again. Let it be known to you that the trumpet is about to sound. May you really be ready in Jesus’ Name.
ACTION POINT :
In whatever area of life this message affects you, repent, cry to God for mercy and
amend your ways. Pray for the revival of holiness and power in the Church.
[Open Heavens 2014, February 6th]
WHEN FAITH WORKS - Bishop David O. Abioye
Faith works when a matter is worse, faith works at odd times.
Faith works in hard situations.
Faith does not work along but against circumstances.
Faith is at its best when things are not working in the natural.
Faith is most excited when the battle is on.
Faith is able and ready to confront all levels of battle.
The strength of faith is exhibited only in fighting battles of life.
[Daily Devotional, February 6th, 2014]
LOOSE ME AND LET ME GO! - Gloria Copeland
"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."
(John 11:43-44)
Do you remember the account in John 11 of Jesus' raising Lazarus from the dead? If you'll go back and read it, you'll see that when Jesus stood before the tomb, He called out, "Lazarus, come forth!" Sure enough, Lazarus came forth. But the Bible says he was still bound up. The grave clothes were wrapped around him. So Jesus said, "Loose him, and let him go!" That's a good illustration of our situation. When we were born again, our spirit man came forth. We were born of God. But the self-centered habits we had acquired while living under the Law of Sin and Death were still in place. They still had us bound.
Well, Jesus wants the same thing for us that He wanted for Lazarus. He not only wants us alive, He wants us free! He wants us walking in love because that's the only way the new life He's put within us can get out! When we walk in love, we step out of the natural realm into the supernatural. Nothing can hold us back anymore. But the grave clothes, those deadly habits of unforgiveness, impatience, irritation and selfishness, have to go.
Do you want to be free from the habits of hostility that have you bound? Then say the same thing Jesus is saying. Get into agreement with Him and say to each one of those deadly habits, "Loose me and let me go! I will go on with God. I refuse to be held down. I will walk in love. I put hate and unforgiveness and selfishness behind me. I will go forward in the power and the glory of God. So loose me and let me go!" It doesn't take weeks or months to switch over from natural to supernatural living. For a born-again follower of Jesus, all it takes is a decision to yield to the force of love. After all, God has already placed it within you. But love won't do any good if you keep it locked inside. "Put on the new man created after God," the Bible says (Ephesians 4:24). Don't leave him trapped inside. Bring him to the outside. Dare to release what God has put within you. Strip off those grave clothes and live the life He has called you to live. Dare to step into the supernatural.
Dare to give yourself over to love.
Scripture Study: Galatians 5:13-15
[Pursuit Of His Presence, February 6th]
UNCOMMON PROTECTION - Kenneth Copeland
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy."
(John 10:10)
Considering how much the devil hates people and how dead set he is on destroying them, it's no wonder we see so much tragedy and disaster in the world. In fact, it's amazing that we don't see more!
I asked the Lord about that one time and He told me it takes the realm of darkness a long time to set up major disasters. Take the aviation industry, for example. It's highly regulated and works hard at policing itself because safety is its product. You take a highly regulated system like that and the devil has to work terribly hard to cause disasters.
He can't just come roaring in and rip things up any time he wants to. If he could, he'd knock every plane out of the sky tonight. But he can't do it.
Why? Because he's bound. The Bible says he's bound to things that are common to man. He has to line up certain things in this natural, human realm before he can lay a finger on you. He has to use people to get his work done.
But, bless God, we're not bound to what's common to man. We're free to use what's common to God! We fight our warfare with uncommon weapons. What does that mean? It means you ought to have the devil wrapped up and sewed up. You ought to put him in a sack with a ribbon on top.
The devil can't cause disaster in your life unless he has been given place. He can't come in and start destroying and stealing from you unless he can get you into a place of sin, doubt, ignorance, or disobedience. So if he's been giving you trouble, ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you've let those things in. Then repent and get rid of them.
Once you've done that, pull out the weapons God has given you and fire away with both barrels. Pull out the Word. Pull out prayer. Pull out faith and use it to tie the devil in knots. Use the uncommon power of God to keep him bound and he won't be able to put anything over on you.
Scripture Study: Ephesians 6:10-18
[From Faith To Faith, February 5th]
BE EVER GRATEFUL - Bishop David O. Abioye
Remain ever grateful, life is a privilege not a right.
Gratitude, gratitude and gratitude…then altitude, altitude and altitude.
You’ll never drop in altitude unless you drop in gratitude.
Grateful people are never ambitious or contentious. Because they realized that they didn’t struggle to arrive where they are and will never have to climb the next level by their efforts.
Gratitude teaches contentment which cheaply qualifies you for next lifting.
Gratitude destroys pride. It is the key to continuous supply of grace.
You cannot stop gaining altitude unless you stop expressing gratitude.
[Daily Devotional, February 5th, 2014]
YOUR FIRST LOVE - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE:
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Revelation 2:4
READ: Revelation 2:1-5
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ISAIAH 8 – 10 and PSALM 32
MESSAGE
As a Christian, your heart ought to be aglow with genuine love for Christ, unless you are not genuinely saved as a result of having not truly repented from your sins even though you have confessed Jesus. At the new birth experience, the Holy Spirit regenerates our spirit and fills it with deep and pure love for God. However, often times, we do not diligently watch to ensure the flame of this love is kept aglow, rather we gradually give prime attention to some spiritual exigencies at the expense of our first love, forgetting that this first love in itself has a way of propelling and driving us into the activities required of us by God. It becomes disastrous when we get to a state where we consider as less important, the condition of our first love. God did not hesitate to point out the mistake the church at Ephesus made by falling into this state. He told them that in spite of those good things they were occupied with, He would remove their candlestick because they had forsaken their first love. Thank God they had the opportunity to repent. May you not get to a state where God will remove your light in Jesus’ Name.
Beloved, what really is this first love for God? This is that deep and pure affection; His kind of love toward us which we are born into at our surrendering to Christ. It is the kind of affection between two lovers by which they share deep intimacies just between themselves to the exclusion of all others. God cherishes His communion with His bride (the believer). The lesson here is that we should not allow our labour or service no matter how expedient to becloud our consciousness and the necessity to maintain our first love for Jesus.
What are the expressions of this love? They include: Strong desire to be in the presence of God in praising, thanking and worshipping Him, spontaneously singing to Him either in private or in public. Another is by spontaneously expressing a fondness of him, making reference to Him at all times. Also, it includes readily resorting to him when confronted with any given difficult situation and finally, enjoying imitating him all the way – such as by living holy. When we measure a life that portrays these expressions against the attitude of some who say they are His children, you will discover that there seems to be no trace of this love, or that it has been suffocated. What shall we say about a Christian who in a restaurant cannot pray over his food, or stylishly prays over the food before eating to avoid being noticed by other people?
ACTION POINT:
Pray to God to help you recognise the true state of your first love for Him and ask for help to sustain it. If your love is found wanting, repent and ask for mercy to rediscover it.
[Open Heavens 2014, February 5th]
WHAT CAN YOU DO? - Bishop David O. Abioye
You don’t know what you can do until you begin to do what you can do.
You don’t know what you can become until you display what you have.
Speak no more about what you don’t have.
There is nobody that has everything he wants.
What ever you don’t have certainly you don’t need it. If you need it you will have it .
That you don’t have it means you don’t need it. Therefore concentrate on what you have.
For a long time Moses carried the pointer to his destiny without knowing it, until God revealed to him the strength of what he carried.
The display of what you have is what displays you to your world.
Do what you can and God will do what you can’t. Do your best and God will do the rest.
Nobody has everything, what will bring everything you need is the thing already in your hand. So display it.
If God created everything out of nothing then having one thing in your hand is enough to create everything you need.
Now pray: Lord, reveal me to me.
Show to me the treasure that I carry in my hands like you did to Moses.
I don’t know myself because I didn’t make myself. Jeremiah.1:4, 5
[Daily Devotional, January 11th, 2014]
SPIRITUAL WARFARE II - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE : For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6 : 12.
READ : EPHESIANS 6 : 14 – 15.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 CORINTHIANS 1 : 1 – 5 : 11; PSALM 12.
The instruction from our Lord that we should stand against the wiles of the devil connotes that we are already in conflict with the devil. We are already in battle and not that we are probably in it. You may not know it, but the enemy is already fighting against you. If the devil is fighting against you, congratulations, but if not, something is wrong somewhere. I hate the devil, and he hates me; I like it that way. We are commanded to fight and not to dodge the conflict. Standing against the wiles is the opposite of running from the wiles.
The Bible in 1 Timothy 6 : 12 says:
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
We are to fight and not run from this conflict. This must be clear in your mind. Ask God to give you the grace to put on the whole armour of God.
The first component of the armour of God is Truth. It is both a defensive and an offensive weapon. Righteousness is also a component of the armour of God. As a matter of fact, Jesus Christ is the Truth and He is our righteousness according to John 14 : 6 and Jeremiah 33 : 16. If you want to engage in casting out demons, you will have to know how to defend yourself using this knowledge. Demons will hate you when you begin to cast them out, but that is inconsequential considering the source of the authority you are exercising. Another component of the armour of God for our spiritual warfare is the Gospel of Peace. Matthew 5 : 9 says:
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
When you make peace with God in genuine repentance and you accept the remedy He has provided for sin, i.e. Jesus Christ, you become a favourite of God. Can you fathom what that means? It means you become the apple of God’s eye. It is then and only then that the promise in Isaiah 54 : 17 becomes your inheritance. Those who do not take the preaching of the gospel seriously don’t know what they are missing. The reason is given by Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, when he said that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing but it is the power of God to those of us who have obtained salvation through it (1 Corinthians 1 : 18). In that Name that is above every other name, you shall be victorious. Only be sure you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour and live holy in His Name.
PRAYER POINT :
Father, please keep me in your truth and holiness, and don’t let the enemy prevail over me.
[Open Heavens 2014, January 11th]
THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH - Kenneth Copeland
"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
(Galatians 6:10)
According to Galatians 6:10, if you are born again, you are a member of the household of faith. "But, Brother Copeland, I just don't think I have any faith." You have to! You couldn't possibly be of the household of faith unless you had faith! And you can't be born again and not have faith. Settle it right now in your mind and your heart that God has given you His faith. He hasn't short-changed you. He has put in you enough faith to blast through every mountain that gets in your way. He expects you to use it, and He will develop it to the point where it can keep your body healed and your family prosperous and blessed. He expects you to use it to get your kinfolk saved and obtain every other promise given you in the Word of God. If you haven't had much success in those areas, it isn't because you don't have enough faith. It's because what you have has never developed. You've been lying around on your sofa, eating spiritual junk food and watching videos all day. So when the devil kicked your door in and announced he was taking over your household by bringing sickness and calamity to it, you didn't have enough strength to stop him. But don't let that discourage you. Come over to God's gym with the rest of us and start working out. Start studying your Bible, listening to tapes, fellowshipping with the Lord and exercising your faith until you're a spiritual Schwarzenegger. Then, the next time the devil comes bursting through your door, you can stand up, flex those faith muscles and say, "Stop, thief! You're not taking over this household. It belongs to me and don't you touch one thing in it. I'll cut you up one side and down the other with the Word of God. Now, get out and don't let me see your ugly face on this block again!" Now that's what I call acting like who you are...a member of the household of faith!
Scripture Study: Ephesians 2:4-10
[Pursuit Of His Presence, January 11th]
COST PRICE OF FAILURE - Bishop O. Abioye
It is very cheap to fail.
In fact it is the cheapest thing to acquire.
To fail, all you need to do is to do nothing.
Doing nothing aids you to fail quickly.
Contrary wise, it costs much more to succeed because you are working against contrary circumstances.
It will cost you near zero to go down because you already have the force of gravity to aid you.
But you need to pay the price to go up.
You will never find where anything goes up by itself.
Anything and everything that goes up is made to go up by someone.
Never fold your hands if you don’t want life to fold up on you.
Stretch your hands forward and upward to expand your coast and to redefine your boundary.
[Daily Devotional, January 10th, 2014]
SPIRITUAL WARFARE I - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE : Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6 : 11.
READ : EPHESIANS 6 : 10 – 13.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 CORINTHIANS 14 : 26 – 16 : 24; PSALM 10 :12 – 11 : 7.
When we are told to put on the whole armour of God, one thing becomes clear instantly. This is the fact that there is a God. We cannot be talking of the armour of God if there is no God. Anyone who thinks that there is no God is a fool ( Psalm 14 : 1 ). You have to pray that God would reveal Himself to you. The Bible in Daniel 11 : 32b says,
“…..but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
Little wonder, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ in Philippians 3 : 10 also said:
”That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
These scriptures show that knowing God is a weapon of spiritual warfare! When you know your Maker, your battle is 90% won. From our Bible reading, we also realise that there is the armour of God. This armour is made up of several parts, otherwise we would not be told to put on the whole armour of God. The constituents of this armour are listed for us in Ephesians 6 : 14 – 17. The armour of God is not built into us by default as children of God. It is external, and we have to pick it up in order to be able to put it on. The reason many children of God are defeated in the battle of life is because of their failure to fortify themselves with the armour God has made available to them.
From today’s memory verse, it is also clear that there is a devil. The devil is alive and active. In Job 1 : 7, we read about the instability and unpredictability of his destination. This is one of his wiles. Through this corrupt wisdom, he gets people into trouble. The devil’s attacks are not always direct. They may not come from the direction which you expect. A good example is found in Joshua 7 : 1 & 12. Joshua had been victorious all the time; Jericho had just been taken and Joshua was beginning to feel confident. Then the enemy came from behind. He entered one man who stole what God said they should not take. Joshua thought God was still with him so he went against a small town called Ai. The Israelites had to flee from this small town. The enemy had used a new method. It was an indirect attack. Another classical example of an indirect attack of the devil is found in 1 Samuel 18 : 5 – 9. David did nothing wrong but the devil used wiles. He got women together and taught them a song: “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands”. This turned Saul against David. I pray for you that the devil’s wiles against you will be exposed and defeated in Jesus’ Name. However, you must put on the whole armour of God.
PRAYER POINT :
Father, arise and fight on my behalf and on the behalf of my loved ones in Jesus’ Name.
[Open Heavens 2014, January 10th]
READ THE WILL AND PRESERVE YOUR INHERITANCE - Gloria Copeland
"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.... And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
(Galatians 3:14, 29)
Have you ever been invited to an attorney's office for the reading of a will? I haven't. Where I come from, there was never enough money left for the relatives to fight over when somebody died. But, glory to God, that's not the case anymore. I became an heir to a fortune more than 40 years ago in Little Rock, Arkansas, when I gave my life to Jesus. At that moment I was born again into the richest family ever known. I was born into the royal family that owns and operates the universe. I received an inheritance so vast, it will take me all of eternity to fully comprehend it. Some people get excited about tracing their natural family history. They like to know if they have great people in their family tree because it makes them feel they've come from good stock. You and I ought to be that way about our heritage as believers. Our ancestors are the greatest men and women who ever walked the face of the earth. We can trace our lineage back to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, King David...all the way to Jesus. Think about that! Those are our forefathers. "Now, wait a minute," you may say. "Those are Jewish men. They lived in the land of Canaan and Israel. You're an American from Arkansas! You're not part of that family." No, not physically. But spiritually, according to the Bible, yes, I am. And if you've made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, you are too. Galatians 3 says so. As a Christian, you are the seed of Abraham! That means everything God promised him belongs to you. It has been passed down to you through Jesus. Abraham's blessing is your inheritance! It has been willed to you by the Word of God. And while you need to read the will-the Word-to find out what is rightfully yours, you can only receive it by faith. Faith gives us access to the favor and grace of God...and it gives God access to our lives. It opens the door to our inheritance. So start reading the Word with a new perspective-not like a book of stories, but as the record of your forefathers. Read it and believe it like you would a will that detailed your inheritance. Enjoy the riches that are yours by virtue of the new birth. Discover for yourself that you truly are an heir to the limitless resources of the family of God!
Scripture Study: Hebrews 6:13-20
[Pursuit Of His Presence, January 10th]
WHAT MAKES A GREAT DAY - Bishop David O. Abioye
What makes a great day is the lesson(s) learnt for the day.
A day without a lesson is a lean day.
It is lessons that fatten the day.
A day without a lesson is a wasted day.
It is lessons that fill up a day.
It is lesson learnt on a previous day that makes looking forward to another exciting.
Those who learn everyday never have problem looking forward to another day.
Learning makes you hopeful, it makes you enthusiastic and optimistic.
The question is what lessons have you learn today?
[Motivational, January, 2014]
PROVOKING SIGNS & WONDERS II - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Memorize: And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11
Read: 1 Samuel 17:34-37
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 Corinthians 11:17-14:25, PSALM 10:1-11
There is one other very important principle for provoking signs and wonders akin to prayer and worship; this is testify to the goodness, majesty and wonder-working power of the Almighty God. Some years back, I observed that I could not hear people well when they talked with me. While they were almost shouting at the top of their voices talking with me, I would say to them “louder please; speak up”. I later found out that there was a growth in my hearing canals. The doctor who did the check-up advised that I should be ready for urgent medical operation but I told her that I was not ready for the operation. After she left, I told God that i did not want healing but brand new ears. Seven days later, the doctor came back and did another check-up. This time, she found nothing and she could not hold back her amazement at the wonderful works of God. It was a simple matter with the Lord because He only had to replace the old, faulty parts with brand new ones. He will do the same for you today in the Name of Jesus.
A man who had been married but childless for some years listened to this testimony of mine and his faith was provoked. He had been told that he had no sperm count and so his case could not be medically helped. He said to himself, “since what I have cannot be improved upon medically, let me ask for a total replacement from above” after prayers during one of our all-night programmes, he got back to his house and dreamed that he saw me walk and smile towards him. He woke up and knew that the Lord had visited him. By the time he was sharing his testimony, the man with no sperm count at all was carrying his own child. I pray that your testimony will be greater than this in Jesus’ Name. Either your testimony or the testimonies of others can provoke faith which in turn will provoke signs and wonders because Romans 10:17 says:
“So then faith cometh by hearing , and hearing by the word of God”.
Because your testimony about what the Lord has done for you is a form of praise, worship and practical show of gratitude, it is very potent in provoking further signs and wonders. I want to encourage you to cultivate the habit of listening to testimonies. These testimonies often provoke miracle-working faith in hearers just like or even more than sermons. The problem with some children of God is that they sometimes feel that time given to testimonies is a waste; hence they don’t pay attention to them. I decree that you are the next to give your testimonies in Jesus’ Name.
ACTION POINT:
Cultivate the habit of sharing your testimonies, and your miracles will not only be permanent but will also increase.
[Open Heavens 2014, January 9th]
TAP INTO THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT - Gloria Copeland
"The [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit...because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will."
(Romans 8:26-27, The Amplified Bible)
Most believers don't realize it, but praying in the spirit, or praying in other tongues, is a spiritual exercise that strengthens your inner man. Just like barbells build up your arms, praying in tongues will build up your spirit. If you'll do it faithfully, it will help to keep that flesh body of yours in line. "Well, Gloria," you may ask, "why can't I just do that praying in my native language?" Because the Bible says your "weakness" gets in the way. Many times your natural mind doesn't have the first idea how to say a prayer that will strengthen you against temptations or bring the answer you need. Your mind is not informed like your spirit is. Your spirit is in contact with God. That's why, as Romans 8:26-27 says, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid because we do not know how to pray as we ought. Praying in tongues enables you to pray the perfect will of God for your life. It allows you to step out of the realm of the flesh and in to the realm of the spirit so that no matter how weak or ignorant you may be in the natural, you can pray exactly what you need. Praying in tongues is the tool God has given us to tap in to the mind of the Spirit. When we pray in tongues, we activate our spirit to understand as the Holy Spirit enlightens us. But be warned, it won't work for you unless you put it to work. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He's not going to come storming in and make you pray in the spirit. He's going to wait for you to put your will in gear. So yield to the Holy Spirit today. Begin to pray in tongues every day and build yourself up. Tap in to the mind of the Spirit. You'll be blessed to have the strength, ability and answers you need for every situation!
Scripture Study: 1 Corinthians 14:1-4
[Pursuit Of His Presence, January 9th]
KNOWING WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW - Bishop David O. Abioye
That which I see not teach Thou me…
Job 34:32
The purpose of knowledge is improvement and perfection.
It is those who think they know enough that pride themselves.
Those who actually know usually seek to know more.
There is what you know and what you ought to know. –I Corinthians 8:1, 2
What you ought to know that you are yet to know is what makes you incomplete.
Jesus said to the rich man, “if you’ll be perfect, one more thing remains”
Job acknowledged, “that which I know not teach thou me.”Job 34:32.
Paul cried out, “that I may know Him?” Philippians.3:10. One would wonder, “what more does Paul want to know, having known so much?” Yet he cried to know more.
God responds only to panting, hungry hearts.
Are you panting after God?
What you know is already stale, if you don’t seek to know more what you know now will lead to your staleness.
[Daily Devotional, January 8th, 2014]
PROVOKING SIGNS & WONDERS I - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE:
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
John 11:40
READ
Matthew 8:8-10
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 CORINTHIANS 8:1-11:16, PSALM 9:11-20
Message
You must follow some spiritual principles if you want signs and wonders to become daily occurrences in your life. God is so generous to all that He has made it easy for all men to provoke His signs and wonders. Every record of signs and wonders in the Bible and in modern times can be traced to certain factors which were responsible for their occurrence. One of such factors is prayer. Prayers come in different forms. The prayer of the centurion is the model I want us to consider as a typical prayer that provokes signs and wonders. If there is an example of a prayer that was answered instantly with commendation, it is the prayer of the centurion. The prayer of this man made the wonder-working Saviour to marvel! This prayer manifests something I must draw your attention to: it was a prayer of humility. The man said: “I am not worthy”. When you listen to some people praying to God, you begin to wonder whether they are talking to their houseboy or maid. With every sense of arrogance, they begin to issue commands after listing the reasons for which they believe God must answer them! May your prayer-life receive a fresh sense of humility, coupled with an assurance that will provoke signs and wonders in Jesus’ Name.
Another spiritual principle that provokes signs and wonders is the principle of praise and worship. When I see some people who think they are too good to worship the King of kings I begin to wonder what they think themselves to be. Do you know that even if God wanted to say no to your request and you worship Him, the ‘no’ can become ‘yes’? The Syro-phenician woman in Matthew 15:21-28 came to Jesus and said: “Have mercy on me; my daughter is grievously vexed of the devil”. Jesus didn’t answer her a word. This woman persisted in asking, yet Jesus seemed not to pay attention to her. He even said He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The Bible says the woman came and worshipped Him saying: “I know I don’t qualify for a miracle but look at me, I am on my knees”. At the end of the day, she got her miracle. So when you hear me eulogising God with names such as: Rock of ages, Ancient of days, the Lion of the tribe of Judah etc, I know what I am doing. I am provoking signs and wonders. How many people get up in the morning and say: “Thank you Lord” on a daily basis? When you do so, you are provoking signs and wonders that will greet the day you are going into. As from today, learn how to use the weapons of prayer, praise and worship to provoke the needed signs and wonders in your life.
ACTION POINT:
Before you begin to bombard God with your requests, thank Him, worship Him and praise Him for all His benefits you have received in the past.
[Open Heavens, January 8th]
STEP ACROSS THE FAITH LINE – Kenneth Copeland
"And being not weak in faith, [Abraham] considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God."
(Romans 4:19-20)
In the years I've spent living by faith, there's something I've learned to do that helps me receive from God in the toughest of situations. It's something I call stepping over the faith line.
A faith line is what you need when you want God to do the "impossible" in your life. It's what you need when you want to be firm in your faith and yet you keep wavering back and forth between your circumstances and God's promises--believing first one, then the other.
It's what can make you like faithful Abraham. You know, Abraham had natural facts to deal with just like we do. He knew there was no natural way for God's promise to him to come true.
Yet the Word says Abraham considered not his own body. In other words, Abraham ignored the natural evidence around him and believed only God's promise.
Somewhere he stepped across the line of faith.
He made an irreversible decision to go with the Word of God. He made a final commitment. He chose to step past the point of no return. And if you and I are ever going to see God do the impossible in our lives, we're going to have to do the same thing!
How do you draw that faith line?
Begin with the Word. Search the promises of God and purposely believe what He has said, and is saying, about your need. Meditate on those promises until faith rises in your heart.
Then draw the line of faith. Draw it in your mind and heart. Draw it across the floor in your prayer room. Say, "In the presence of God, in the presence of all the angels in this room, and in the devils face, I am stepping across the line of faith. From this moment on, I consider this matter done. From this day forward, I give God the praise and the glory in the Name of Jesus.
From that moment on, speak only as if your miracle has already happened. Turn your back on the problems, on the doubts, and turn your face toward Jesus.
God will do the impossible in your life. Dare to step across the faith line!
Scripture Study: Romans 4:13-21
[From Faith To Faith, January 8th]
WHO AM I? – Bishop David O. Abioye
One of the greatest source of crises and conflict of life is identity based.
Knowing who you are as ordained by God is what rescues you from every form of identity crises.
That you are not something does not mean you are nothing. Everyone is somebody and no one is a nobody. No one is everything so no one should be allowed to make you feel that you are nothing.
People get into games of comparison, competition, envy and strife simply because they are yet to know who they are.
Knowledge of who you are is what enhances your worth and gives you sense of value; it defines your glory.
I am yet to find who to envy because I’m not like any other person I’ve ever met.
Save yourself from the identity crises by simply identifying and appreciating whom and what God has made you to be.
Don’t pride yourself but celebrate who you are.
Make yourself of no repute yet, maintain yourself esteem. Never be proud but never destroy your ego.
You are valuable and distinct.
[Daily Devotional, January 7th, 2014]
MIRACLE-PRODUCING EXPECTATIONS – Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE : Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11 : 1.
READ : MATTHEW 9 : 20 – 22.
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 CORINTHIANS 5 – 7; PSALM 9 :1 – 10.
Having expectations depends on many variables, particularly if we are talking about having expectations of God. One of these variables is the promise. If God has made you a promise, then you have the right to expect that the promise will be fulfilled. In Genesis 8 : 22, the Almighty God made a promise. It is based on this promise that the expectation of a farmer rests. He said as long as the earth remains, seed time and harvest shall never cease. This promise of God is the basis on which a farmer planting a seed expects that there will be a harvest. Another variable which expectations depend upon is the integrity of the one giving the promise. If you are dealing with a man who doesn’t keep his promises, you don’t expect anything from him. If you are dealing with a man who in the past said “I am going to the right” and you discovered he went to the left, the next time he says “I am coming”, you will know he is going. Thank God that Numbers 23 : 19 says clearly that our God is not a man that He should lie. Once He makes a promise, you can go to bed knowing it will be fulfilled. The resources and ability of the one who has made a promise is another foundation upon which an expectation depends. There was a time I visited my village and a little boy ran to me asking for a pair of shoes for Christmas. I promised to buy him one. The young boy started spreading the news that he would soon own a brand new pair of shoes. His mates did not believe him until he told them that it was “Lagos Daddy” (as I was being called then) that promised him a pair of shoes. The reason being that, apart from the fact that they all knew that whatever “Daddy from Lagos” promised to do he would do; they also knew that God had blessed him with the wherewithal to keep his promises.
In our Bible reading for today, the woman with the issue of blood had a miracle-producing expectation. This woman sought Jesus Christ with great expectation and she got what she wanted – a miracle of healing. It is unfortunate that many people go to the presence of God without an iota of expectation, whereas the Bible in Isaiah 45 : 19a says:
“I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain:”
I want to encourage you to begin to seek and trust the miracle-working God with great expectations for salvation, healing and astonishing breakthrough. I prophesy to your life that the mouth-opening miracle you have been expecting will come your way this season in Jesus’ Name.
PRAYER POINT :
Father, my expectation is to have blessings that will overflow unto many nations; please bring this to fulfilment in the Name of Jesus.
[Open Heavens, January 7th]
THE ROOT OF HOPELESSNESS – Kenneth Copeland
"All things are possible to him that believeth."
(Mark 9:23)
Have you ever felt hopeless...ready to give up? Maybe you've already given up, feel there are no answers and you're simply trapped right where you sit. Well, according to the Word of God, you don't have to stay there. According to the Word, hopelessness isn't caused by lack of money. It isn't caused by lack of education or negative circumstances.
Hopelessness comes from being without God in the world. It comes from being a stranger to His covenant (Ephesians 2:12). Anyone, anywhere can have hope if they know Jesus and the covenant promises of God. Your background, race or financial status doesn't matter. You can live in the worst slum in the world and still have hope in God because He isn't limited by man's resources. He isn't limited by man's prejudices. God is an equal opportunity employer! Some people have said to me, "You ought not to preach that prosperity message in poverty-stricken areas. You'll get those peoples' hopes up, and they don't have the same opportunity to prosper that you do." Yes they do! I've seen God prosper people in places where there was absolutely nothing. No food. No jobs. No welfare program. Nothing!
There is a country in Africa where the government wanted a tribe to die out, so they just stopped the flow of food and began to starve them to death. But that plan failed because some Holy Ghost-filled, African Christians refused to give up hope. They knew their covenant, so they prayed, "Give us this day our daily bread." Do you know what happened? The people were fed and the government went under!
The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:20, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed...." If you'll look up the two Greek words translated "earnest expectation" and "hope," you'll find that both mean the same thing. So hope is earnest expectation.
"But how can you so intensely expect to prosper when the unemployment rate is up and the economy is down?" you ask. Because what I'm earnestly expecting isn't dependent on the world's economy. It's based on what God has promised in His covenant. Because He said it, I earnestly expect it! I have a covenant with Almighty God and I can be filled with hope. If you need hope today, ask God into your heart. If you are already a believer, take authority over the devil and cast hopelessness away from you. Stand on God's Word, His personal promises to you, and let hope rise up within you. With God all things are possible to him who believes!
Scripture Study: Ephesians 2:11-18
[Pursuit Of His Presence, January 7th]
POWER OF APPRECIATION - Bishop David O. Abioye
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted…
John 6:11
Nothing depreciates in the face of appreciation.
Favour and additions answer to praise (Acts 2:47)
Appreciation always yields multiplication –John.6:11.
A grateful heart is the guarantee for a fruitful life.
Nothing changes in measure nor in level. Therefore, never you ask, “What is this?” if you don’t want it to remain as it is.”What is this? was the question the children of Israel asked that led to their not having change of manner.
Murmuring leads to stagnation and emptiness.
At the root of appreciation is contentment.
Contentment destroys murmuring.
Lifting God up is what lifts you up from lack and want. John.12:32.
Failure to appreciate God is the master failure of destiny.
Truly, appreciation of God leads to appreciation of destiny
[Daily Devotional, January 6th, 2014]
SIGNS & WONDERS 3 - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE : They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? John 6 : 30.
READ : EXODUS 4 : 9.
9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 CORINTHIANS 1: 4, PSALM 8.
We vividly saw from yesterday’s study that people required a sign from Jesus to prove He is the Messiah. If people required that Jesus should prove that He is the Messiah through a sign, it is then expected that people would expect anyone who claims to be a minister of God to confirm his or her calling with signs and wonders. As a servant of God, the ministry God has called you to is designed for signs and wonders. Your ministry is your area of service to the Lord. It may be singing, teaching, evangelising, counselling, or just any definite area of service for which you have received special grace and anointing. For you to function effectively in your area of calling, you need signs and wonders to follow you. This will attest to the fact that God actually sent you and that you are not an impostor. Some people desire academic, theological or ministerial titles; there is nothing wrong with titles if God gives you the grace to acquire them legitimately to His glory. However, in the service of God, titles without signs and wonders backing them up are inappropriate. Show me your works and not your titles. You need signs and wonder-working anointing to make it in your business life and to establish your calling among the people.
There was a time we used to have a Bible study meeting in a living room at the University of Ibadan (Nigeria). We were quite few in number then. Later on, we moved to the rear of the building for the meeting. There was an occasion where it began to rain when we were about to start the Bible study. Surprisingly, the rain fell on every part of the campus but did not drop at the building where we were gathered for the meeting. Another time, I was in Abuja (Nigeria) for the Abuja Holy Ghost Service. Then I went to visit the Christian Ecumenical Centre under construction. When I got there, the white man handling the project said to me: “Sir, I was told you are connected with the Man at the top”. I thought he was talking about Mr. President, and so, I asked him: “You mean the President?” He said “No, I mean the Man at the top”. Then I knew he was talking about God. I said “O yes, by His special grace.” He then asked me to talk to God that there would be no rain during the day so that he could complete the job before Sunday. I told him there would be no rain during the day”. After I said that, I remembered we were to have the Abuja Holy Ghost Service on Friday! On Friday, the cloud of rain covered everywhere in Abuja and soon, it began to rain everywhere except the stadium where the programme was held. As you read this devotional, your life shall be filled with signs and wonders in Jesus’ Name.
PRAYER POINT :
Father, for all those asking where my God is, show yourself mighty in my life for them to see.
[Open Heavens 2014, January 6th]
Get Out From Under the Barrel! - Kenneth Copeland
"All these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God."
(Deuteronomy 28:2)
These days, when I say the Word of God can heal your body, pay off your debts and bring you victory in every area of your life, not everyone believes me. Most wouldn't admit it outright, but it's true nonetheless. They don't intentionally doubt the Word, of course. They're just so overwhelmed by the problems in their own lives, they're not sure anything (natural or supernatural) can help.
When they see Gloria and me so blessed and prosperous, they think, Sure it's easy for you to live by faith. You have a great life. But what can God do with a life as messed up as mine? If you struggle with that question, let me tell you, God can do for you exceeding, abundantly above all that you can ask or think. After 42 years of ministry, I can say that, not only because it's the Word of God, but also because it's a living reality for me. You see, I wasn't always blessed.
When I first learned about faith, I was a failure going somewhere to happen. I wasn't just scraping the bottom of the barrel, I was underneath with the barrel on top of me! Then one day I was reading Deuteronomy 28, and I saw all the blessings God's people are supposed to have in their lives. To be quite honest, I got mad. Where are all these blessings that are supposed to belong to me? I thought. As far as I could see, I didn't have even one of them. Yet Deuteronomy clearly said I was to have them. I didn't have any land. I didn't have any storehouse. In fact, I'd heard that God wouldn't bless you with a storehouse at all because He didn't want you to have anything. But verses 11-12 of Chapter 28 said God would make me plenteous in all kinds of ways and that I would lend to nations and not borrow! I don't mind telling you, that looked good to me. All I'd ever known how to do was borrow. I had depended on borrowed money all my adult life. (Gloria always says I must have borrowed on my tricycle!) Religion may try and rob you of these blessings.
Your friends and family may try and talk you out of them...but you turn your eyes and ears to the Word. Get out from under that barrel and dare to believe God for your needs, your finances, your healing. Receive Deuteronomy 28 as God's will for your life. And watch God do exceeding, abundantly above all that you can ask or think!
Scripture Study: Haggai 2:7-9
[Pursuit Of His Presence, January 6th]
IMPROVE ON YOUR APPROACH - Bishop David O. Abioye
Level of results in any adventure of life is dependent on quality of approach.
Improved approach will naturally birth better result.
Praying for better result is a waste of energy.
Rather than praying for that we should keep praying and seeking for improvement in our approach.
Improved approach will terminate the worst reproach.
Just anything can work if you locate the right approach.
It is the way that you have located that will determine the kind of end you are to expect.
[Daily Devotional, January 5th, 2014]
2014 THEME : SIGNS & WONDERS 2 - Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE : Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. John 4 : 48.
READ : MARK 2 : 1 – 12.
1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
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.
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
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.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
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?
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?
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,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
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..
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : ROMANS 13 : 7 – 16 : 27, PSALM 7.
When our Lord walked the earth, the people wanted Him to prove that He was the Messiah through a sign. Beyond His heart penetrating sermons, they wanted to see a sign from Him by which they would believe He came from God.
“Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.”
John 4 : 48
Jesus in the above passage made it clear that people would not believe except they see signs and wonders. For several years, my mother-in-law did not want to hear anything about the gospel. We tried our best to convert her to no avail. Meanwhile, my wife had gone through three caesarean sections before we got born-again. When we gave our lives to Christ, we read Luke 1 : 37 which says,
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
My wife got pregnant again and had a big baby without a caesarean section. When my mother-in-law saw this, she said “because of what the Lord has done, I surrender to the gospel.” I decree concerning you that, because of the signs and wonders the Lord shall perform in your life, all the members of your family shall be converted to the gospel in Jesus’ Name.
In Mark 2 : 1 – 12, we have the story of a bedridden man healed at the command of Jesus. Witnesses of this miracle wondered at the marvellous display of God’s power. After I had my child which the doctors said could only be delivered through a caesarean section on a Friday night. The next day being a Saturday, I had a preaching engagement with doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Nigeria. I was so full of joy over the wonder of the Friday night that I could not sleep. At that meeting, I shared my testimony that my wife, who in the past had undergone three caesarean sections, and who the doctors had said couldn’t deliver any more children, was delivered of a big baby naturally by the intervention of God. All of them opened their mouths for about two minutes. The miracle that would make people open their mouths shall happen to you this season in Jesus’ Name. When they finally recovered from the shock of my testimony, a scientist amongst them said: “nothing is proved and acceptable in science except it can be repeated to get the same result.” Four years later, my wife gave birth to another baby boy, much bigger than the previous one. I decree in the Name that is above every other name, that God will do something new in your life as you read this devotional today, in Jesus’ Name.
ACTION POINT :
Exercise your faith in God through Jesus Christ on a particular situation that seems impossible – believing that God will do it and He will perform it.
[Excerpt from Open Heavens 2014, January 5th]
RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES – Bishop David O. Abioye
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Proverbs 24:16
In the journey of life challenges will certainly come.
They don’t require your opinion or invitation.
They will come without prior notice. Therefore, live ready for them.
They come as waves on their own not necessarily to hurt, damage or destroy.
While some are swept off and fizzle out with challenges some others glide over them as if nothing ever happened or ever came their way.
It’s all a matter of attitude, the mind set, mentality and expectations.
You can glide over the waves while some others are swept away by it.
Even if you are ever swept off your feet by the floods of life, you can come over the waters again by the scriptural provision that you will rise again, even after seven times of fall if you ever fell up to seven times.
[Daily
Devotional, January 4th, 2014]
FACE YOUR FEARS – Bishop David O. Abioye
…Let not your heart faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them. Deuteronomy 20:3
Never look or run away from what you fear.
Facing your fear is the only way to stop your fear.
Facing your fear is what phases out your fear.
The more you confront your fear the bolder you become.
If you run away from your fear it will pursue you and may even kill you someday.
But once you confront your fear you gain power over it.
If you don’t want your fear to kill you, face it and kill it.
[Daily Devotional, January 3rd, 2014]
BE A BLESSING - Kenneth Copeland
"Let those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad, and say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." (Psalm 35:27)
If traditional religion has taught you that God wants you poor and oppressed, I have good news for you today. The Bible says, "God takes pleasure" in your prosperity. God wants you to prosper!
Not just in the financial realm but in every area of your
life... spirit, soul, and body.
No matter where you are or who you are, God wants to see you delivered from every adverse situation.
Why? Because He loves you and He has a job for you to do. He wants you to help meet the needs of mankind and He's smart enough to know that you can't give away what you don't have. You can't give to spread the gospel or buy food for the hungry when you're broke. You can't go out laying hands on the sick when you're lying in a hospital bed. You can't minister joy to others when you're being held captive by depression. No! You have to be blessed to be a blessing.
If you really want to tap into the riches of God today, make up your mind to be a blessing to others, and before you know it, you'll be receiving more from God than you ever dreamed.
That's what happened to me. I decided years ago, first and foremost, to be a giver. I developed a lifestyle of giving. Today, I literally "live to give." And I don't mind telling you, God dumps blessings on me by the truckload!
He'll do the same for you if you'll become His servant--if you'll lay down your time and your money and your love for those who need it. Become a giver--and God will take pleasure in prospering you!
Scripture Study: Genesis 12:1-4,Genesis 13:1-4
[Excerpt from From Faith To Faith, January 3rd]
"Let those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad, and say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." (Psalm 35:27)
If traditional religion has taught you that God wants you poor and oppressed, I have good news for you today. The Bible says, "God takes pleasure" in your prosperity. God wants you to prosper!
Not just in the financial realm but in every area of your
life... spirit, soul, and body.
No matter where you are or who you are, God wants to see you delivered from every adverse situation.
Why? Because He loves you and He has a job for you to do. He wants you to help meet the needs of mankind and He's smart enough to know that you can't give away what you don't have. You can't give to spread the gospel or buy food for the hungry when you're broke. You can't go out laying hands on the sick when you're lying in a hospital bed. You can't minister joy to others when you're being held captive by depression. No! You have to be blessed to be a blessing.
If you really want to tap into the riches of God today, make up your mind to be a blessing to others, and before you know it, you'll be receiving more from God than you ever dreamed.
That's what happened to me. I decided years ago, first and foremost, to be a giver. I developed a lifestyle of giving. Today, I literally "live to give." And I don't mind telling you, God dumps blessings on me by the truckload!
He'll do the same for you if you'll become His servant--if you'll lay down your time and your money and your love for those who need it. Become a giver--and God will take pleasure in prospering you!
Scripture Study: Genesis 12:1-4,Genesis 13:1-4
[Excerpt from From Faith To Faith, January 3rd]
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