LOVE IS FIRM- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Kgs 7-10 LOVE IS FIRM MEMORIZE: “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word” (Psalm 119:67) READ: Psalm 119:71-72 After picking the early signs of a child’s destiny, parents should follow up.  God has several ways of communicating with parents, only that many are not sensitive enough. In raising up your children, discipline is important. A disciplined child will bring honor and praise to the family name while an indisciplined child is bound to bring shame to the family name. You must be firm with your children. Increasingly, children of the Western Hemisphere are becoming a law to themselves because of their permissive societies. No child must be left on his own. Today, children of leaders are increasingly turning to crime because they were left in the care of house helps and neighbors. Their parents were too busy to keep an eye on them. As a result, some of the people in whose care they were left were the same people that introduced them to destructive habits - illicit sex, masturbation, lying, stealing, drug abuse, etc. What do you know about those who are minding your children? If your wife would need to become a full time house-wife in order to raise your children in God’s way until they grow up, so be it.  There is no sacrifice that is too much for your children. Moses’ parents risked their lives for Moses. But if money is most important to you and both parents are hardly at home with the children, you will gain money but lose your children to wolves. Child training requires firmness. In Acts 13:21-22, the Bible called David a man after God’s heart.  God loved him so much because he knew how to give God what He wanted and he had a right heart. But when he messed up with Uriah’s wife and killed her husband, God descended on him with His rod of correction. He was hard on him. The product of that adulterous relationship could not survive David’s intense fasting and prayer. God said He was going to make public his sin. And it was so. He got fourfold of his crime in return. Later, in Psalm 119:71-72, David said he was glad that he was afflicted as he learnt from the lesson.  May God never let you go uncorrected! If you are God’s favorite, it will show in the type of cane the Lord will apply on you when you err.  How do you receive God’s correction? ACTION POINT: Some leaders are helping to build good foundations for the children of their members while their own children have no such foundations.

ARE YOU A LEADER? - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Kgs 4-6
ARE YOU SERVICEABLE?
MEMORIZE: “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matt. 20:27) READ: Matthew 20:20-28 The primary reason you were called to be a servant of God is so that you can be in the Lord’s company.  We enjoy the company of the ones we love; however, the greatest companion you can keep is the Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many ministers of God are too busy to retain Christ’s company.  Like the parents of Jesus, they get so carried away with religious activities that they do not know when they lose Christ’s companionship. If you are not careful, you can be so carried away with religious activities that you will lose track of His presence. One thing that must be part of your daily routine is regularly checking to ensure He is still with you. Is He still in your company? Or you assume He is? From the experience of Joseph and Mary, anyone who loses the presence of the Lord is bound to be in sorrow.  Is the sorrowful situation you are experiencing as a result of losing His companionship? Even if you lose everything else, you must retain Christ’s companionship for life. “And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves  that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses” (Joshua 24:22). Besides keeping Him company, another reason for choosing ministers is for purpose of service. A minister is a servant, not a lord, position or office not withstanding. You are anointed to serve.  You are a top government functionary to serve. You are the head of that home, clan, community or state to serve.  Service is an integral part of leadership. The moment this quality is missing, leadership takes a deformed shape. A leader who cannot serve ends up as a monster.  There are so many bosses and rulers but very few leaders. A leader has the heart of the lowly and wants to see that those under him receive the best. Are you a boss or a leader? You are also chosen to be a minister in order to show forth God’s praise ( 1 Pet. 2:9). That means, by your life-style, character, speech, dressing and conduct, God’s name should be praised. Are people giving God glory through your life or service? You were also chosen to know Him according to Isaiah 43:10-12. Have you fulfilled God’s purpose for choosing you? If you have not, repent and work towards fulfilling why you were called. Jesus is the greatest leader that ever lived. You can be like Him. ACTION POINT: Are you abusing your secular or spiritual office by oppressing those you should be serving?  Repent and restitute before it is too late.

ARE YOU A LEADER? - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Kgs 4-6
ARE YOU SERVICEABLE?
MEMORIZE: “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matt. 20:27) READ: Matthew 20:20-28 The primary reason you were called to be a servant of God is so that you can be in the Lord’s company.  We enjoy the company of the ones we love; however, the greatest companion you can keep is the Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many ministers of God are too busy to retain Christ’s company.  Like the parents of Jesus, they get so carried away with religious activities that they do not know when they lose Christ’s companionship. If you are not careful, you can be so carried away with religious activities that you will lose track of His presence. One thing that must be part of your daily routine is regularly checking to ensure He is still with you. Is He still in your company? Or you assume He is? From the experience of Joseph and Mary, anyone who loses the presence of the Lord is bound to be in sorrow.  Is the sorrowful situation you are experiencing as a result of losing His companionship? Even if you lose everything else, you must retain Christ’s companionship for life. “And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves  that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses” (Joshua 24:22). Besides keeping Him company, another reason for choosing ministers is for purpose of service. A minister is a servant, not a lord, position or office not withstanding. You are anointed to serve.  You are a top government functionary to serve. You are the head of that home, clan, community or state to serve.  Service is an integral part of leadership. The moment this quality is missing, leadership takes a deformed shape. A leader who cannot serve ends up as a monster.  There are so many bosses and rulers but very few leaders. A leader has the heart of the lowly and wants to see that those under him receive the best. Are you a boss or a leader? You are also chosen to be a minister in order to show forth God’s praise ( 1 Pet. 2:9). That means, by your life-style, character, speech, dressing and conduct, God’s name should be praised. Are people giving God glory through your life or service? You were also chosen to know Him according to Isaiah 43:10-12. Have you fulfilled God’s purpose for choosing you? If you have not, repent and work towards fulfilling why you were called. Jesus is the greatest leader that ever lived. You can be like Him. ACTION POINT: Are you abusing your secular or spiritual office by oppressing those you should be serving?  Repent and restitute before it is too late.