GOD HEARS AND HE RESPONDS- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Kgs 1-4
HE RESPONDS
MEMORIZE: “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15) READ: Psalm 50:14-15 The widow of 2 Kings 4:1-8 cried desperately before her turnaround was born. Until you cry out over that unpleasant situation, Heaven may not consider your need for change. The common mistake is to assume that since God is all-seeing and all-knowing, He will bring about a desired change when He deems fit. Sorry to disappoint you. Heaven does not change what you can tolerate or endure. If you can endure or ‘manage’ that sickness, sorrow, poverty, failure or retrogression, you cannot get something better from Heaven. What you cannot stand will definitely be an item for change. The reason many people will die in their undesired state is because they are not fed up with it. If your attitude towards a negative trend is silence, then that’s proof that you are still enjoying it. Expect the devil to increase the load. The only proof that you are fed up of that bad situation is by rebelling against it; not accommodating it for a second more. Are you truly fed up with that situation you have been complaining about? Moreover, when the widow cried in desperation, God responded through His servant. In Psalm 50:14-15, God promised to respond to your call in troublesome times. Are you in dire need of divine intervention? The Lord will respond to your call today. A look at the above passage establishes a link between giving and receiving. You have to give to God before He will respond to your SOS call. Also, it connects thanksgiving and payment of vows with divine response. This tells us that one reason God may not respond in desperate situations is as a result of debts in vows and thanksgiving. If you find it difficult to thank God for what He has done for you, or you are yet to redeem your vows to God, you may indirectly be hindering God from responding to your emergencies. Not every earthly emergency is taken as such in Heaven. Whenever there is an SOS call, the angels will have to find out if the fellow in that situation is a debtor or not. If you have not paid your debts, you lack the right to effective asking. Perform your vows today! ACTION POINT: Is anything stopping God from hearing your calls? Prayerfully remove such hindrances.

Details of your Life- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 18-21
WE KNOW IN PARTS
MEMORIZE: “For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD:  thou art my trust from my youth” (Psalm 71:5) READ: Genesis 37:5-10 In Luke 22:31-32, when Satan fixed his gaze on Peter, intending to use him to betray the One he loved, Jesus interceded on his behalf. In anyway the devil is planning to use you against the Lover of your soul - the Lord Jesus Christ, that plot shall fail in Jesus’ Name. The One who prayed for Peter will pray for you. When you know that the Lord loves you to the point of not allowing Satan’s plan concerning you, you will be at peace. Isaiah 26:3-4 assures those who trust in God of peace. You can live in peace when you know that God is in control. God knows the end from the beginning. However, when God tells you the end of a matter at a very early stage, He may likely keep the details in between the beginning and the end to Himself. I believe that is superior wisdom. If some of us were open to all the challenges we were going to face from the time we were saved till we see Him in glory, we could backslide.  If the Lord had told me shortly before my salvation that I would end up as the General Overseer of a large organization like the RCCG, I might never have been born again. It was after I became born again that He informed me of what I was going to pass through on my journey to Heaven. On the other hand, if He shows you the glorious future ahead of you, you would be excited and look forward to it. If God shows you your rewards in Heaven like He showed me mine, there is nothing anybody would do to make you go back to the world. May the Lord reveal your eternal bliss to you in Jesus’ Name. God showed Joseph in two revelational dreams that one day he would be a very great man. This young boy was happy and looked forward to it. He held on to that dream and made sure nothing and no one snatched it from him. But God did not tell him of the rejection, the pit and slavery experiences. He did not tell him he would be sold by his brothers or end up in prison for his dream to be fulfilled. If he knew these, he could have preferred remaining at his limited level to keep enjoying his coat of many colors. He could have asked God to transfer the dream to somebody else. When you were led into that marriage, ministry, business or project, did the Lord reveal all the challenges to you? God’s perfect will over an issue does not absolve us of challenges, but assures us of His presence whenever the storms arise. The Lord will give you peace. You will experience His peace in the midst of your storms this season. It shall be well with you. Details of your life are simply reserved for strategic reasons. ACTION POINT: Ask God to visit the sick in hospitals with salvation and His healing power.

Your Dressing- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 7-10
HEAD UNDER SIEGE?
MEMORIZE: “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head” (Psalm 3:3) READ: Mark 5:1-5 When God is in control of your life, it will be evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit and you will experience tremendous peace even in storms. When self is in charge, it will show through the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). Moreover, there is another government - that of Satan. When the devil rules the life of an individual, there would be confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says God has nothing to do with confusion. When the devil takes over the head of a man, everything will be upside down. Instead of wearing clothes, he will be walking about naked. Instead of wearing decent clothes, he will put on rags. The one who finds it uncomfortable wearing decent clothes capable of covering his or her nakedness surely has gone nuts upstairs. Such a fellow cannot put on trousers until it has been torn in shreds or is adorned with dirt. Today’s passage talks of such a man. After Satan took control of his head, he left his bed for the graveyard. He abandoned decent clothes for rags. If you are wearing clothes that expose what should be covered, it is an evidence that such a fellow is loosing his or her mind to Satan. This Gadarene demoniac began to inflict wounds on himself. He was crying out of pain yet, he couldn’t stop himself. When people engage in things that could destroy them, it means their heads are besieged. The warning that cigarette smoking is injurious to health is not enough to stop the smoker from indulging in the act because the head has been taken over by demons. Anyone who uses mind-bending substances such as indian hemp, cocaine, alcohol, cigarette or powerful capsules is spiritually living in a graveyard. Beside, this man was violent. He could not be controlled. He rebelled against the order of reasoning. He was wild. Are you controllable? If you find it difficult to submit to authority or to comply with simple rules or believe you must always take the opposing view just to be different, examine yourself. The state of the head is revealed by the conduct and attires of the body. No matter how refined an individual is, if something is wrong with the head, it will show. What is the state of your head? Is it well with your head? ACTION POINT: When a madman is well dressed, clean-shaven and quietly seated, nobody will take him for who he is; but when a sane man dresses in rags, everyone will say his madness has just begun.

Purpose of the Anointing- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 11-13
PURPOSE OF THE ANOINTING
MEMORIZE: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38) READ: Isaiah 61:1-7 The anointing has potentials for growth. Like a new born babe, it can be developed to a point of maturity. When the anointing newly came on Peter, he had to grab the lame man and pull him up after decreeing his healing, before the miracle took place. But later, he did not need to support his decrees with hands anymore because his anointing grew to the level of healing the sick laid on the streets through his shadow. When I first began to pray for the sick, I used my children as experiment. When they complain of headaches on reaching home, I ensured there was aspirin at home. I would pray for five minutes, but if it persisted, I would give them aspirin. My faith was small but the anointing was fresh and God met me at my level of faith. God never put my little faith to shame. When I realized that it was working for the children, I began to extend it to my friends. By His grace, today, I can pray for the sick anywhere. It is sad however that many believers have been anointed but have failed to develop it. The anointing had remained dormant in their lives. God did not anoint you for decoration. He wants you to always put a demand on the anointing so that when spent, He will refill. The sick are around you not for you to tell them ‘Sorry’, but for you to bring down the power of God to release healing upon them. If you are scared or shy like me, you could start from your family. Extend it to your friends and church members. Before long, you would have seen God’s faithfulness in doing the miraculous. However, the anointing cannot operate on its own; it must be operated by faith. Without faith, the anointing remains dead or asleep but when faith comes, it will come alive and do exploits. Today’s reading clearly spells out what to do with the anointing: Preach the Gospel to unbelievers and sinners, heal broken hearts, liberate those in captivity, and open the prison gates for the prisoners. With it, you can bring down God’s vengeance, comfort mourners, reverse unpleasant situations, break yokes of sorrow, discouragement and depression and facilitate restoration etc. What have you accomplished with the anointing? Remember, one day, you shall stand before God to account for what you did with the anointing He deposited on you. On that day, what will you say? Rise into action today and Heaven will back you up. ACTION POINT: Search for those in need of God’s touch and make a demand on the anointing of God on you to meet their needs.

BROTHER IN CHRIST- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 7-10
TITLED?  Tuesday, May 25, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb 13:8) READ: Revelation 1:8-9 A man is usually unknown until he is introduced.  The process of introduction helps to uncover certain myths, remove cloaks or covers and eradicate the shadows or darkness hovering over such individual or subject matter.  Until God introduces Himself to an individual, that fellow remains in the dark. Introductions can be very powerful in the quest to discover a thing or person. The extent of the introduction determines or sets boundaries on what may be known concerning the person or subject. What you know about the one being introduced will spell out the opportunities available for you as you interact with the person being introduced. May the Lord introduce Himself to you in a personal way this season. In today’s reading, Jesus introduced Himself as the  Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending. These names and titles of the Lord are quite unique. Jesus Christ has never changed. He has always maintained His essence, holiness, and power, hence, what He could do in the days of Abraham, He can still do today.  He remains constant while the ages roll by and people and things change. If you are properly linked with Him, you will share in His glorious attributes that never change. What He did for the patriarchs of old, He will do for you. He is also called the Almighty.  At the time the Book of Revelation was written, the Roman Empire was the largest Government in the world. It was invincible and was well organized. How could a negligible group of unarmed Christians whose leader had gone to Heaven be able to withstand this strong empire? They could survive this empire only because the One behind them is the Almighty.  As long as the Almighty is behind you, there is no battle or force you cannot overcome. As long as Jesus is in your boat, you have nothing to fear. You will surely make it. In addition, John introduced himself as a brother and companion in tribulation. This tells us that only those who received his letters and lived in obedience to them were his brothers. It is a great thing to be a brother - a companion of those going to Heaven. Many people are struggling for titles today while they relegate the greatest title - brother, sister to the background.  But John, the closest to Jesus was proud to be called ‘brother’. Call some ministers of God ‘brother’ today and they would take offence that they had been so humiliated. Do you feel humiliated when your titles are set aside and you are simply addressed as ‘brother’? If you do, you could use another trip to Calvary! ACTION POINT: Thank God for the opportunity to be called a brother or sister in God’s Kingdom. Pray that you will not miss this opportunity.

DISCIPLINED?- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 4-6
DISCIPLINED?
MEMORIZE: “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul” (Proverbs 29:17) READ: Proverbs 29:15-19 The type of relationship existing between God and you will determine whether you will be disciplined or not, and how it will be done. Attached to every right or privilege is some responsibility. When a servant misbehaves, you may ignore his offence but when a son commits the same offence, he will not get away with it. It is the goal of every reasonable father to ensure that his children are better versions of himself. On the other hand, some extreme parents may want to crush their up and coming children. I heard of a man who killed his daughter just because she was becoming too fervent. Being high handed is applying discipline the other way round. Matthew 5:48 says, we should be as perfect as our Heavenly Father. God wants us to be as good as Himself. Jesus, the Prince of Peace wants us to be even better hence, He says we will do greater works than He did. My joy as the General Overseer of this Mission is in seeing my spiritual children excel and achieve greater heights than I. Recently, during a particular conference, I went to celebrate with one of our churches in London. The pastor was glad to receive me and informed me that a particular important personality would be celebrating in his church and they would be expecting me. I declined saying it was his show and I had no intention of stealing it from him. He argued that he may not know what to say so I assured him that he can count on my prayer support. Dumbfounded, he told me he doubts if there is any other father like me. I am only trying to resemble my Heavenly Father. However, to be like God, you must prepare for discipline. Proverbs 22:15 says children are naturally naughty. Since Adam’s fall, this has been the trend. You do not need to teach a child to be angry before he or she manifests it, even at infancy. It is innate. So when a father wants his child to become like him, he would have to employ his rod of correction. How often do you correct your children? Proverbs 29:15 says any child left to himself will bring shame on the parents. But Proverbs 29:17 says the child that is disciplined will give joy and peace to the parents. Don’t over pamper your children. Don’t spoil them using love as disguise. Many ladies do not know how to cook or handle domestic chores because everything was left for the house help while they were growing up. You are undoing your children if you deny them good home training and discipline. Before you train your children, how trainable are you? ACTION POINT: One thing you owe your children is discipline. If you fail to give it to them, the result of their indisciplined life will haunt you in later years.

GOD'S ELECT- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 1-3
GOD’S ELECT Sunday, May 23, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10) READ: 1 Thess. 1:2-7 A crucial requirement to make Heaven is the possession of virginity.  Spiritually, a virgin is one who has never backslidden after knowing the Lord. He or she is not only called but chosen (Matt. 20:16). Not every minister will make it to Heaven because although many are called but not all will be chosen. John 15:16 says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you”. Before a choice is made, there are options. If offered employment in a particular organization, you may either accept or reject the offer.  But if three different organizations offer you a job, you will prayerfully consider them before accepting one. God had several people queuing for the same spiritual vacancy before choosing you. This is why Mark 13:20 calls the chosen the elect. There was an election in Heaven and votes were cast for you.This is why you must not fail God over the assignment for which you were called. 2 Peter 1:10 says, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall”. How are you justifying Heaven’s confidence in you?  Each time you stray from God’s path, purpose and will, you make the Heavenly host regret their choice. That you were chosen suggests that you are special. You were chosen to be precious (1 Peter 2:4).  Those who are chosen are called into divine friendship (Is. 41:8). The chosen is allowed to draw nearer to God. Having been chosen, how close are you to God? Heaven defends the chosen to any extent. God can turn impossibility into possibility and make miracles common place in the life of the chosen. You will find rivers in the deserts of the chosen. Are you truly chosen? If you recognize Heaven’s calling on your life, you cannot afford to live like the average Christian.  You cannot do what everyone else does. You must be different.  You would abide by Heaven’s living standards and please the One who has chosen you. To what extent are you living like the chosen which you are? ACTION POINT: Ask for grace to live in accordance with the rules that govern the chosen.