Don't be caught unawares - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 61-63
CAUGHT UNAWARES? Saturday, August 21, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Eccl. 9:10) READ: Luke 21:34-36 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Eccl. 9:10). Another way of preparing to enter Heaven is by working and living daily as if that day would be your last. When you postpone a task till tomorrow, what is the guarantee that there will be a tomorrow? For the dead, there was no tomorrow. Some who are planning big for tomorrow may never experience it. Someone said, ‘Your yesterday is a cancelled check while your tomorrow is a post-dated check’. How are you spending it? A post-dated check may be withdrawn or stopped before its date of maturity.  Nobody knows if there is a tomorrow.  Use your today wisely and maximally! If you plan your journey to Heaven effectively, you will not be taken unawares. Luke 21:34 warns: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your heart be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares”. Death can be so sudden. You may not necessarily die by motor accident or sickness. In fact, lately, there have been several deaths attributed to a fall in the bathroom. Someone went into his bathroom to take a shower.  He slipped, hit the head against the wall or on a hard object and became unconscious. Family members broke the door, rushed him to a hospital.  After all efforts, the fellow did not survive it. Or, it could just be that the heart which started beating from the day of conception in the womb, which never stopped for repairs or servicing, suddenly stops. Pa Akindayomi of blessed memory used to compare life with roadside workers who are brought to the road, given their individual portions and asked to commence work and leave after completion. The most hardworking may start with zest and within one hour be through and off he goes.  Another one may waste time at the beginning but begin work later in the day.  However, he must finish work before he leaves. Only God can tell what He has assigned as your portion. He only can tell when the time He allocated for the job will be over.  When your time is up, will you be ready? Have you prepared for death? ACTION POINT: Every assignment you complete at the right time moves you towards excellence and makes you more ready.

THE CHOSEN INTERCEDES - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

IBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 58-60
THE CHOSEN INTERCEDES Friday, August 20, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them” READ: Psalm 106:20-24 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none” (Eze. 22:30). Another obligation of the chosen is the ability to plead or intercede for others. Intercession marks you out as a chosen one. Some believers leave the work of intercession for the prayer champions; they think it is a departmental affair. Intercession is more than that! If you cannot intercede, you cannot claim to be one of the chosen. Abraham proved that he was chosen by his prayers and physical acts to recover what was stolen from his loved ones. Daniel interceded on behalf of his nation. When he saw that the days of captivity had gone beyond the stipulated time recorded in the Scriptures, he took the case to God. Paul interceded for the Jews and every church the Lord used him to establish. If you are God’s chosen, you will stand in the gap for others. In today’s passage, God looked among His own but could not find an intercessor who would stay His hand of judgment. If God looks at your family, will He find intercessors? Will you be among those God will approve as intercessors? As long as there are no intercessors, God’s judgment will come down. There are Christian families Satan is having a field day in because of the absence of intercessors. But there are families that no satanic junk mail can reach because people stand constantly before God in the place of prayer. Prayerlessness is fast exposing Christian families to the same events as those of unbelievers. That is unacceptable. It must stop! Today, like Deborah, you can arise for your family.You can arise as Daniel for your nation. You can prove to God that you are one of His chosen and stop the devil on his tracks. The chosen is expected to be perfect and as a result not too many mistakes are allowed for the chosen. Moses stood in the gap for the rebellious Israelites (Ps. 106:3). But when he needed the intercession of others, there was none to stand for him. Intercede regularly for your leaders. If the chosen errs and repents, he will be pardoned but may have to pay a costly price like David (2 Sam. 12:1-14). This is why you must always be above board and remain spiritually consistent. ACTION POINT: If every family can have three or more committed intercessors, family disasters will become a thing of the past.

ANY VACUUM? - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 55 -57
ANY VACUUM? Thursday, August 19, 2010
MEMORIZE: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18) READ: Romans 1:25-28 “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine” (Luke 15:15). Are you taking the path of self-government? It is far too dangerous! Hence, Proverbs 3:5 admonishes: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding”. Your understanding, knowledge or wisdom can fail you at any time like it failed the prodigal son. He thought he was limited just fellowshipping with his father, brother and their servants.  He wanted to be free to satisfy his social needs so he ventured out into a far country. Because he had lots to spend, suckers flocked around him feigning to be friends. He basked in this for a while but when his wealth was spent, and famine came, all his ‘friends’ saw they could no longer live on him so they took their leave one after the other.  He was left all alone. Yet, he still needed fellowship so he went to join himself to a man to avoid dying of loneliness. When you do not allow God to select godly friends for you, the ones you pick under self-government will suck and exploit you and afterwards leave you lonely and more impoverished. Whom do you make your friends today? Nature abhors vacuum they say.  Immediately the Spirit of God departed from king Saul, an evil spirit took over him. If you run away from those who would tell you the truth and whip you to stay on line, you will fall into the hands of those who will lead you into destruction. Many people who are in secret societies today used to be active in church. The man who started the Reformed Ogboni Confraternity was a reverend. This is why you must fill every void.  Leave no space for the enemy. Every space you fail to occupy will be occupied by unwanted elements. The rooms the Holy Spirit does not occupy in your house would be overrun by demons. According to today’s reading, if the truth appears too hard, tough or bitter to the extent that you reject it, you will surely become a victim of lies. If God is too small for you to serve, you will end up serving His creatures. What is that void that needs filling in your life? Go to God and soak in His Word and be filled with His Spirit. ACTION POINT: Ask God to fill every vacuum in your life

NOTHING NEW - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 52-54
NOTHING NEW Wednesday, August 18, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us” (Eccl. 1:10) READ: Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 In Revelation 1:14-18, a description is given about our Lord Jesus Christ. His head and hair were white and his eyes were like fire. His feet were of bronze color and His voice sounded like many waters. From this picture, it is apparent that my God is very, very old. To men, being old is a weakness but to the divine Persons, it is a strength. It means that God is older than everything including all the problems facing me today and the ones ahead. As a result of this, He is able to solve all of them. Because God is older than your problems, He will bring solution to them this season. How long has that problem been there? For 5, 10, 20, or 50 years? Do not panic! There is One who is called the Ancient of Days. He is also called the Everlasting Father (Father of Eternity). He knows the root of any problem. He knows the origin of your problem and He will go to the root to fix it. The whiteness of the head and hair of the Lord Jesus Christ does not only speak of age but also of experience and wisdom. That means God is the wisest and most experienced being. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun”. That a situation is new in occurrence does not mean that it has not occurred before. That barrenness may be new to you but not to the Lord. You may have gone broke for the first time and it is strange to you but not to the Lord. He has seen and helped millions of people go through such situations over thousands of years. He has helped His powerless, weak and fragile David to bring down their giants and yours will be no exception. God is the most experienced problem solver. He will solve your problems. No problem can defy our God! This is why you must never quake before any problem. Even when men say there is no way out, don’t give up hope until you meet the Most Experienced. The whiteness of Christ’ head and hair also speak of purity. God is the holiest of all. He cannot condone the slightest of sin in your life. Are you slimy, trickish or playing smart? God is too holy to condone your smartness. You must endeavor to be like Him in every area - in purity, wisdom, etc. ACTION POINT: Present every fresh challenge before the Ancient of Days and He will fix it.

Shepherding is Leadership - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 49-51
SHEPHERDING IS LEADERSHIP
MEMORIZE: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1) READ: Psalm 23:1-2 Besides feeding the flock with fresh food, the shepherd also takes the sheep to a place where the pasture is rich and has enough for them to lie on. As a minister of God, it is important to create an impression in the minds of your hearers that whatever you may be discussing is only a tip of the iceberg; let them know you have much more awaiting them. This is one good reason for teaching in series. In addition to this, a shepherd is a leader (Psalm 23:2). He gives guidance to the sheep and directs them on where to go. This means the Shepherd must have vision, foresight and a sense of direction. If a leader does not know where he is going, how can he take his followers along? In providing leadership, you must be specific, using the Bible as the standard. To make a meaningful impact, you must be prepared to lead by example. It is easier for the flock to copy what they see you do than to obey what they hear you say. If what you teach fails to marry how you live, you will be confusing those you are supposed to lead. When you call for a general fast, do you partake of it? Do not call a meeting you will not attend! Another thing to note in Psalm 23:2 is that every sheep needs water. Every member of your congregation is thirsty for something: You are to determine how that thirst will be quenched. Every Pastor has tremendous impact on the flock in his care. How are you directing your family, group or church? The congregation will only access the water where the shepherd leads them to. Depending on the convictions and priority list of the leader, he directs his followers accordingly. Where are you leading your members or family to drink from? You can make them thirst for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. You can make them thirst for souls and prayer. This is healthy. Preaching only on prosperity amounts to leading the people beside troubled or rough waters. Prosperity alone does not satisfy. If you brand yourself a deliverance minister and that is all you talk about, your congregation will stop seeing Jesus and start to see and talk about demons. If you are miserly, those under you will be more miserly. If you are a giver, it will affect your congregation. ACTION POINT: Some leaders are misleading their congregation because they sincerely do not know where to go; Ask God for direction for all our leaders in this nation.

Making statements to the world- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 46-48
MAKING STATEMENTS Monday, August 16, 2010
MEMORIZE: “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images” (Isa. 42:8) READ: Ephesians 3:20-21 When God enlists you in His army, it is because He wants to make His power known through you. He wants to make a statement with your life. God used Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to prove to king Nebuchadnezzar that He was the greatest deliverer.  Also, He used Daniel to prove that He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah and that when the true Lion is present, the physical lions become powerless. In 1 Kings 18, God used His vessel - Elijah to demonstrate to the world that He is the Consuming Fire who answers by fire. There is a man of God without hands and legs. In his very limited physical state, by cooperating with the Holy Spirit, God is demonstrating His infiniteness through him. In that state, he has university degrees, and has undertaken several training programs through which he qualified by merit to compete favorably with those who have hands and legs in ministry, and in the corporate world. That glorifies God! Unfortunately, there are many able-bodied ministers of God who still limit their God because of illiteracy.  Illiteracy is a curse not a blessing. In their laziness, fear and doubt, they say: “What do I need education for? God is already using me. Afterall, was Peter the fisherman educated?” Which gives God more praise or glory - an anointed illiterate man who is relevant to uneducated people, or an anointed professor who can reach the high and mighty yet, still reach the uneducated? Compare the impact of Peter and Paul in the Kingdom and you will see the difference. What statement is God making through you? On the other hand, never attribute your success, victory or achievements to your level of education, connections or ability to pray or else like Philip, the Lord will allow you to go through a test that none of these can handle. The bottom line is effective partnership with God. When God is your Senior partner, at the hurl of a stone, your Goliath will drop dead; when you lift your hands, an east wind will blow and part your Red sea; At the shout of Halleluyah, your Jericho walls will crumble; you will go into the lions’ den and the hungry lion will become vegetable. How effective is your partnership with God?  To what extent is the Lord making a statement with your life? In your poverty, God can use you to make a statement of commitment, loyalty and efficient service.  In your limitation, God can use you to make a statement in infiniteness. How are you allowing God to do this today? ACTION POINT: Father, use me to make a statement to the world in greatness, commitment and anointing.

Favour comes from His Presence - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 43-45
FAVOUR COMES FROM HIS PRESENCE Sunday, August 15, 2010
MEMORIZE: “And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD” (1 Sam 2:21) READ: Exodus 33:16-17 “And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD” (1 Sam. 2:21). After about 25 years since God promised Sarah and Abraham a child, the Lord finally remembered her during her time of favor.  During this period of waiting, her hopes turned into fear and doubt. Her initial smiles of faith became laughs of unbelief. Is it taking God so long to fulfill His promises concerning your life, family or church? Are you gradually giving up your hope? Don’t!  Even when it takes some considerable time, wait! It is worth waiting for God’s promises. He is faithful and will not disappoint you. Hence, Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” When your appointed time of favor has not come, all you can do is obey the Lord in every area and wait. Do not engage in negative confessions. Do not allow unbelief but be fully persuaded like Abraham that what God has promised He will do (Rom. 4:21). God has never lied to anyone. He will not lie to you. He will fulfill what He promised you: just stick with Him in faith. Wait as long as He allows.  Moreover, favor is the means by which more mercy is obtained from God.  In Genesis 19:19-21, after Lot was rescued from Sodom which was about to be gutted by fire, he was supposed to flee as fast as his legs could carry him to safety, yet, he could negotiate with the angels and decide on where he wanted to seek refuge. With favor, you can escape from danger capable of claiming several lives. This season, through favor, the Lord will preserve you from every danger in Jesus’ Name.  In addition, favor is when God’s presence accompanies a man wherever he goes (Ex. 33:16-17; 34:9). In time of God’s favor, the Lord overlooks  the errors of men and graciously forgives their sins.  Are you favored of God? Ask God for divine favor today.  Favor shields you from divine judgment and from your enemies. ACTION POINT: Ask that God’s favor will protect you from judgment and your enemies.

HOLINESS IS KEY - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 40-42
HOLINESS IS KEY Saturday, August 14, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8) READ: 1 Peter 1:13-16 If you must make it to the blessed land of Heaven, you must always be prepared. To do this, you must put your house in order.  The bottom line is, anything you will not be happy to see your family go through after your demise, take steps to prevent it before your home call. In addition, to show that you are ready, you must have settled every pending quarrel you have with others. A single grudge can keep you out of Heaven. Nothing will hinder you from making it to Heaven in Jesus’ Name. “But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:15). Another indispensable part of preparation for the Heaven-bound saint is a daily life of holiness. This cannot be compromised. Hebrews 12:14 says it is impossible to see God without holiness. Surprises await us in Heaven because many of the people we think will be there may be missing. Our father-in-the-Lord, Pa Akindayomi said when he got to the gates of Heaven, many of those he started the ministry with were at the pearly gates tied down like goats. They were denied access. Since he was about to go to be with the Lord, he could not have been telling us lies. You must be holy. Heaven is a prepared place for only the prepared. You cannot enter into Heaven by mistake. There could be error entry into an earthly country but not into Heaven. Entering Heaven is a serious business: it must be planned. Many people who openly confessed they were heading for Heaven ended up in hell for lack of planning. Some people say they are on their way to Heaven, yet, they have many skeletons in their cupboard. What are you covering up? What is that thing you are hiding from your spouse? Matthew 10:26 says it shall be thrown open someday.  In any case, you cannot hide anything from the Almighty God.  According to Proverbs 11:21, even though hands are joined together, when the day of rapture comes, there shall be a separation. If you want to go to Heaven, ask yourself: How prepared am I? How holy are you? To what extent do you obey God’s Word?  Do you wait to be forced before performing your Christian obligations? How pure are your thoughts? How clean are your hands? Are you involved in any shady deal? Search yourself! ACTION POINT: Father, make me live a holy life without compromising with sin daily.