BEFRIEND THE HOLY SPIRIT- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exo. 14-17

BEFRIEND THE SPIRIT
Saturday, February 06, 2010

MEMORIZE: “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19: 6)

READ: Acts 19:1-7

After I was newly born again, I observed that whenever an altar call was made, the preacher would say: “All those who want to be saved should come forward while those who want sanctification or baptism in the Holy Spirit should ask God in prayer!” But because I was never taught on the baptism in the Holy Spirit, I become curious what it was all about. My thirst to have this knowledge became so strong that I began to search and acquire books on the baptism in the Holy Spirit. By the time I eventually experienced this baptism, I had become quite close to the Holy Spirit. If you can pave your way into becoming a close associate of the Holy Spirit, you would be amazed at the extent to which God can use you.

In Luke 1:34-35, Mary asked the angel, ‘How can I have a child without meeting with a man?’ The answer was, ‘It is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit’. Like Mary, are you asking, ‘How can I live a life of holiness while surrounded by so many sins and powerfully attractive temptations on earth?’ Or ‘How can I become so prosperous to the point of never meeting anyone for assistance whenever I want to do God’s work?’ Or ‘How can the impossible become possible?’ All these and more are possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. But why must I be a friend of the Holy Spirit? God the Father had His regime which spanned from eternity to the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

God the Son would observe His regime for 1000 years during the Millenial Reign of Christ. But presently, we are in the regime of the Holy Spirit. If you go to Heaven today, you will find the Father and the Son but not the Holy Spirit because He is on earth presently. Since He came down at Pentecost, He has been here. That is why He is called Parakletos - our Helper. If you love yourself and want to prosper in any particular regime, you have to be friendly with the One who is in charge at that time. You need to know how to move with regimes. How can you become a friend of the Holy Spirit today?

Give your life to Jesus. Ask for His sanctifying grace. Desire to be baptized with Holy Spirit. Read scriptures on baptism in the Holy Ghost such as Acts 1:8, 2:1-13, 19:1-7. Ask for the Holy Spirit to come and baptize you. Attend teachings on the subject matter where you can also be prayed for and hands laid on you. On receipt, develop a blossoming relationship with Him.

ACTION POINT:

Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit this day in Jesus’ Name.

LEAVE THE STUMP- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exo. 11-13

LEAVE THE STUMP
Friday, February 5, 2010

MEMORIZE: “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cutdown, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease” (Job 14:7)

READ: 2 Kings 19:35-37

God is so disgusted with fruitlessness that He has promised to cut down anyone who is connected to Him but refuses to produce a commensurate level of fruitfulness. God knows what He has invested in you over the years. Can you truly say that you are generating the right quality and quantity of fruits for the Heavenly Kingdom? In Daniel 4:13-14, the flourishing tree in king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was to be cut. You shall not be cut. As a branch, you shall not be severed from the Vine - Jesus Christ.

One shocking reality is that when God leaves a man, the fellow becomes abhorred by fellow men. When a man goes nuts, even dogs will keep a distance from him. As long as God was with Samson, he was popular, useful and important to both the Kingdom of God and that of Satan. But immediately God departed from him, he lost his relevance and became isolated even in prison. Whatever will rubbish your value will not succeed in its mission in Jesus’ Name.

In this remarkable dream, the watcher was however asked to leave the stump of the tree in the earth (Daniel 4:15). This tells us that any flourishing tree has a negative potential of becoming a stump - without leaves, branches, fruits, etc. God can reduce any tree into a stump overnight like it happened to Pharaoh (Exodus 14:26-31) and Sennacherib for blaspheming against God (2 Kings 19:35-37).

Even Herod was eaten of worms at the peak of his glory (Acts 12:20-23). One lesson here is that the tallest, greatest, richest, most successful person stands the risk of a more disastrous fall if not careful. This is why you must always ask God for grace to remain humble as you rise or attain levels of prominence. This is also why you must obey God promptly, totally and eagerly.

Leaving the stump in the earth on the other hand refers to God’s mercy even in judgment. The tree could have been taken from the roots but because God had not finished with the individual, He allowed the stump to remain. Tell God that whenever He has to discipline you, He should let His mercy remain with you and triumph over judgment. Are you undergoing divine reprimand? Fear not: there is still hope in your end. God is not through with you yet. Submit to His correction, humble yourself, repent and ask for His mercy today. If Nebuchadnezzar still saw better days, better, greater days are ahead of you.

ACTION POINT:

Father, destroy every mark of fruitlessness in my life and in Your mercy give me another chance.

BASTARD OR SON?- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exo. 8-10

BASTARD OR SON?
Thursday, February 4, 2010

MEMORIZE: “For whom the LORD loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth” (Heb. 12:6)

READ: Hebrews 12:5-8

You can operate whatever type of relationship with God. However, your relationship with Him will determine your receipts from Heaven. Some people are just content with being a creature. In that case, they are not better than a dog or cat. Some may move on to become a servant of God while some become a friend or even a son of God. When you are God’s bonafide son, you will be disciplined. In Judges 13:2-5, we read about a special child of God. He was a Nazarite by birth and was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb.

He was bound by Nazarite laws, but he violated these laws. He thought because he was special he could get away with certain things. One day, Samson found honey in the carcass of the lion he killed days previous and he ate it (Judges 14:5-9). Later, after a great victory, he became thirsty. Even without saying a ‘Thank you’, he cried out to God and was rescued from death. He went on as if nothing happened. Do you know if you have not thanked God for what He has done and you seems to be getting away with it, it might mean that you are a bastard, not a son? If you are a son He will correct you.

Some years ago, we had a week long program in the USA. God’s presence was strong and His power came mightily down to bless people. At the end of the program, we dispersed talking of God’s mighty visitation during the meeting. When we arrived at the hotel I was lodging, I disembarked from the jeep I came in. My hand was holding on to the front door. And as the fellow sitting at the front passenger’s seat came down and shut the door, it jammed my hand. I screamed as everyone panicked on realizing what had just happened. They were hurriedly taking me to my room to keep people from starring at us as my hands burned like fire.

Then I asked the Lord, Why? He said because I did not say, ‘Thank you’. As I repented and thanked Him, the pain suddenly disappeared. Have you received sharp rebukes from the Lord? Are you even sensitive to His corrections? Or do you go without being disciplined when you err? Are you a bastard or a son? There is no son that is not disciplined by his father when he errs. If you are no more being disciplined by God, and you rejoice that you can conveniently sin and get away with it, you have probably lost your sonship. You have moved to bastardhood! Ask God for forgiveness today!

ACTION POINT:

A minister lived in fornication for a period and thought he went scot free until he sat down to count the cost and realized he suffered several losses in business, was ill that period and recorded broken promises, etc. You can’t sin and be free!

 

INNOCENTS IN PRISON- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exo. 5-7

INNOCENTS IN PRISONS
Wednesday, February 3, 2010

MEMORIZE: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not  entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1)

READ: Acts 16:16-24

Although no sane person would want to go to prison, sometimes, when God knows there are jailers and warders who cannot come to the crusade ground, He may allow His chosen ones to go there under certain circumstances. This will enable them to take the crusade to the prisons. This was what happened to Paul and Silas in Acts 16:16-24.

Unfortunately, many believers are resisting the Holy Spirit in His bid -to-reach out to prison inmates, and the Lord is displeased There are some who have resisted this prompting for up to three years and in the process some inmates and warders God would have saved, have died and gone unprepared into eternity. Have you been resisting God on this? Repent now and yield fast to Him before it’s too late!

One reason some believers do not want to go to the prisons either as evangelists or as an inmates as part of suffering for Christ, is because they feel too dignified, too righteous or sanctified to interact with the criminals there. If Jesus had the same attitude, He would never have come to this world to mingle with sinners. But come to think of it, do you know there are more criminals - even far worse on our streets, in offices and religious institutions today? There are worse criminals in government than there are in prison, yet these criminals are going about the streets as free men.

On the other hand, due to the imperfect system and several limitations of men, several innocent people are standing trial for crimes never committed and some have been condemned for no just cause other than the fact that they were poor and could not ‘settle’ the judge. You would be shocked to know that those within prison walls can boast of more innocent people than those outside the prison walls. Jesus died for them too.

Why would He not want you to go there even for a moment, to have these ones hear the Gospel message? Do not be surprised that some kings in Heaven will come from the prisons because after knowing Christ, they worked for Him right in the prisons - reaching out to several souls. You are not in prison: do you remember to thank God for your freedom and to intercede and reach out to prison inmates? You can be another Paul and Silas today!

ACTION POINT:

Pray that God would grant physical liberty to every prison inmate who has experienced spiritual liberty. Ask God to visit all the prisons in this nation.

Singing Hymns- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

HENRY FRANCIS LYTES’ LEGACY


Tuesday, February 2, 2010

MEMORIZE: “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:4)

READ: 2 Corinthians 1:3-6

“Abide with me - fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me”

Hymns are veritable part of Christian worship from ages past. One very interesting thing about this is that hymn writers have been inspired by God to write hymns suitable for every occasion -weddings, funerals, departures, Christian service, house dedications, and even for seasons such as Easter and Christmas. Being works of divine inspiration, hymns have continued to minister to the needs of millions as timeless tools of comfort, inspiration, hope and instruction. The lyrics may be crafted in old English yet, the message remains contextually relevant to us. Have you been getting the kicks from singing psalms and hymns? Or are they a bore to you?

An interesting aspect about hymns is that virtually every hymn is borne out of a peculiar situation. What we learn from this is that the most unfortunate situation could birth a wonderful and well - appreciated development. Looking at the circumstances under which some hymns were written, you would be amazed how a good thing can come out of a seemingly negative one. Do you know that your present unpleasant situation is about to birth unlimited joy?

The writing of ‘Abide with me’ was borne out of similar circumstances. According to James McClelland, Henry Francis Lyte who had pastored a church in England for over 20 years had a health challenge. His doctor’s diagnosis showed he had consumption’ and was asked to leave his seaside location to sail mid sea so as to take in as much as he could from the sun, or else he would die. He was frail and very sickly. With death so close, he had lost strength. But he managed to muster some courage and took the pulpit and enjoined his tear-filled congregation to keep faith in Christ.

Later that day, he took part in the Holy Communion. In that state of grief, he sought solace from God at home later that evening, and he received the inspiration to write the hymn “Abide with me”. He set out for Nice, southern Europe the following day but died two months after. His last words were ‘joy’ and ‘peace’, ye the left a beautiful legacy through which millions have found solace since November, 1847. From his experience, we know it is possible to comfort others out of your uncomfortable situation.

ACTION POINT:
When in a distress and God comforts you, He will make you a comforter to others.

Relate with the Spirit- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

RELATE WITH THE SPIRIT


Monday, February 1, 2010

MEMORIZE: “For 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” (Roms. 8:13)

READ: Romans 8:6-11

In Judges 15:14-17, when Samson was brought to the camp of his enemies, the Holy Spirit descended mightily on him and supernatural things began to take place. He went there bound but left there a free man. He was taken there as a victim, but left a victor. Many people still find themselves in the camp of their enemies but some of them end up as victims because they have not contacted the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

Wherever your name or matter is taken in the spirit realm - coven, shrine, or occult centers, the blood of Jesus will speak for you. This is why you need to encounter the power of the Holy Spirit after you are born again. If you claim to be a believer and your name or property is used against you in such coven and you are affected, it is because you carry little or no presence of the Holy Spirit. If you are linked with the supernatural, your sweat will be fire. Everything about you will become untouchable to the enemy.

“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all” (1 Cor. 14:18). One major reason God performed several miracles through the hands of Paul was because he spent more time fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit. The time you spend with the Holy Spirit cannot be concealed for long: before long it will be revealed to all either through the manifestation of the miraculous or through empty shouts, threats or command that the enemy hears but ignores. How much time do you spend worshipping the Holy Spirit, praying in tongues and cultivating His friendship?

You can start by praying in tongues for at least one hour daily. While doing this, most times you may not understand what you are saying yet your spirit man is getting fed and charged. If you can increase this to two, three or more hours daily, it will draw you closer to the Holy Spirit so that He will not only reveal several secrets to you, but will increase and manifest His gifts in and through you. As a result, you could possibly interpret any spiritual message by a Spirit-filled servant of God; you will be notified of events before they happen, and will be empowered to dominate both your flesh, Satan and the world. Living the Christian life is not much of a struggle to the Spirit-filled, and Spirit-led believer. That is how you stay on top and the miraculous will become an everyday event to you.

ACTION POINT:
The irony in Christian service is that many tend to heavily depend on human strength, ability and wisdom concerning assignments that are largely spiritual.

Be a pacesetter: Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

PRIEST: A PACESETTER


Sunday, January 31, 2010

MEMORIZE: “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Tim. 4:15)

READ: 1 Tim. 4:12-16

“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 marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). In John 15:16, Jesus told His disciples that they were specially chosen to bring forth fruits. The greatest treasure you can lay in the Heavenly planet is the souls of men and women. Any believer who has made it in Heaven has made it in all eternity. If you have won so many souls that eventually made it to Heaven, you are made. To what extent have you prepared for your desired Heavenly harvest?

Moreover, being of a royal priesthood confers certain rights and obligations on you. First, is the pacesetter role. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity”. Within the period of three years when I was at the helm of affairs of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), I emphasized the need to focus on Jesus Christ. It is expected that we replicate Christ’s pattern of life and ministry. His main focus was to announce the Father and not Himself.

I also resisted elaborate introduction when I was being ushered to the podium, threatening to walk out of the congregation if they refused to heed my warning. Like John the Baptist, we should hide behind the Cross and only lift up the One who paid for our sins on the Cross (Matt. 3:11-12). The pacesetter role of a priest is so crucial that we must take it very seriously and urgently. We must be examples to the flock. Our lives are being read through our actions. How leaders conduct themselves today may be the pattern for future leaders.

Any pit of error you fall into may cause those coming behind to fall into several more. They will use you as the excuse for such indulgence. ‘If our pastor can tamper with church funds, why condemn members who steal?’ This is also why parents must be very watchful of their conduct especially before their children or wards. Such children may take it for granted that any evil act committed by their parents must be right. Are you playing that pacesetter role effectively? Or are you misleading those who are following you? Developing the Leader Within You

ACTION POINT:

Some lead from the front, while others lead from behind. All God’s bonafide priests lead from the front.