Discerning Unusual Opportunities- Open Heavens Daily Devotionals by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jer 45-48
DISCERNING UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITIES  Thursday, December 23, 2010
MEMORIZE: “At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered” (Isaiah 33:3) READ: 2 Kings 13:16-19 Apart from unusual increase, another sign of the time of your favor is when God arises on your behalf. Psalm 102:13 says, “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the set time is come”. The Psalmist was compassed by strong and determined enemies who worked relentlessly to destroy him. Things became so tough that he had to weep while eating or drinking but patiently waited on God. At some point, his faith degenerated into hope as he wondered when God would penetrate the invisible walls hindering his prayers. But when the enemies started to quake and retreat, he realized it was the time of his favor. When those who have been fighting against you suddenly rise up in your defense, do know that your time of favor has come. “So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory” (Psalm 102:15). When your enemies are overtaken with fear and begin to confess their evil deeds and ask for forgiveness or seek deliverance, do know that the Lord has arisen on your behalf because your time of favor has come. Also, when Exodus 14:14 comes to you from the Lord, meaning that you no longer have to defend yourself because God has taken over your case, know that your time of favor has come. This season, concerning that fierce private battle you are going through, the Lord will arise on your behalf. Another sign to identify the time of God’s divine favor is when God gives you an unusual opportunity. Pray for grace to identify and maximize that opportunity for all its worth. King Joash had such an opportunity but could not make the best of it. When Elisha was about to die, since there was nobody worthy of his double portion anointing, he felt led to give king Joash an unusual opportunity to defeat all his enemies in all future battles through a prophetic action. With Elisha’s hand on the king’s hand, every arrow shot represented a victory for Syria. If only he had maximized that opportunity, he would never have been defeated: his victory would have been complete. It is unfortunate he could not discern the times. May you not miss your unusual opportunities this year. Ask God to open the eyes of your spiritual understanding to identify the signs of the time of your favor so that your blessings do not pass you by. ACTION POINT: Thank God for unusual opportunities coming your way this season. Pray for grace to adequately utilize them. N.B: Have you supported the RCCG PROJECT towards eradicating illiteracy in Nigeria? Join today.

Cost of Failing God- Open Heavens Daily Devotionals by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jer 41-44
COST OF FAILING GOD Wednesday, December 22, 2010
MEMORIZE: “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5) READ: Joshua 1:1-5 Apart from knowing we have a multi-dimensional calling, another lesson from 1 Samuel 16:1-14 is that God always has a substitute. Do you know that if Saul had not failed God, Jonathan would have succeeded him? That means David might never have become king. We learn from this that God is a true business man.  He thinks and plans ahead of storms. He rearranges situations, events and even his servants to fit into a void caused by the failure of someone. One of my sons today is a senior pastor in this mission. God never told him he would be a pastor although God’s hand was upon him. One day, he was interviewed by his pastor and sent to head a parish from which the founding parish pastor had resigned. It took him by surprise as he solemnly protested that God kept him in the dark. What happened was sudden. The opportunities that the original pastor should have had have suddenly been transferred to him. If Saul had not disappointed God, David could have ended up as the national chief instrumentalist or musician but because Saul failed God, David’s scope of relevance was broadened. This tells us that one man’s misfortune is another man’s advantage. As long as you remain faithful and patient with God, you will rake the glorious destinies of those who fall by the way side. In addition, when someone disappoints God, it will expedite the promotion of somebody else. Someone who was originally slotted by God to occupy a post in 5 or 10 year’s time may suddenly find himself in that position. This was what happened to Joshua. This tells us to be ever prepared. Do not limit yourself to your present level. Take personal steps to develop yourself and gifts. Study the Word far ahead of others.  Be known for excellence. If Moses had not failed God, he would have led them to Canaan, and have lived many years in that land as his resting period before being called home to glory. Then, Joshua would have waited many more years to succeed him. Moses died suddenly (even at 120 years) just because he failed God. That means if you fail God, you have lost any justification to live. In any case, some people who may be smiling with you now are earnestly wishing you to fail God so that they can succeed you. Make sure you disappoint them! ACTION POINT: Failing God makes others take advantage of you. However, it is possible not to fail God.  Cry to God for grace never to fail Him. N.B Support the RCCG PROJECT today, God will surely surprise you as you do it.

PROVE ALL THINGS - Open Heavens Daily Devotionals by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jer 37-40
PROVE ALL THINGS Tuesday, December 21, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1) READ: 1 John 4:1-3 One area the Lord commended the Ephesian church in His letter to them was in their ability to try professing ministers and sieve the genuine ones from the fake (Rev. 2:1-7). This is also very necessary for the church today only that we are getting too lazy to even give such things a thought. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1). The ability to distinguish the fake from the real stands out a church from the crowd. Do not receive anything from just any man of God without trying him to see if he is truly saved, and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. If his lifestyle contradicts God’s Word, then you must disregard him and his message.  If he prays in the Name of Jesus Christ, but adds that for greater result, you need to add something else, he is fake. If he is having two or more wives or divorced his original wife and married another woman, or if he has girl friends in addition to his wife, he is a false prophet. Any prophet who asks you for money in exchange for fasting and prayers is fake. Any prophet who demands to sleep with you before your problem can be solved is fake. Any prophet that calls on the names of Mary, angels and departed saints in their prayers is a false prophet. Try every prophet.  Test their messages too to see how they conform to the Word of God.  Any message meant to keep you in fear is not of God. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).  All things must be tested. Try the spirits.  Not all ‘Thus says the Lord...’ are from God.  In fact, false prophets use that term just to manipulate their victims. Many people are becoming polluted from imbibing false teachings and spirits. Not all that glitters is gold as is commonly said. Not all pastors, prophets and teachers are of God. The Bible is the standard against which every doctrine must be compared. There are many religious spirits in the church today which have a form of godliness but lack the power of holiness. It is your duty to try every spirit and discard the bad and hold fast to the good. Examine all your beliefs, notions and principles in the light of God’s Word and anyone that does not conform, discard. Try every spirit from today! ACTION POINT: If people can know the spirit operating behind the ‘anointing’ they are exposed to, many Christians will leave their present place of worship. Ask God to open your eyes! N.B Have you supported the RCCG project? God will support you.

PLEASING GOD- Open Heavens Daily Devotionals by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jer 33-36
PLEASING GOD Monday, December 20, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34) READ: Matthew 3:16-17 There are categories of sonship in the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten of the Father (John 1:14) while the rest of us that are saved fall under the class of adopted sons. Under this class are golden, silver, wooden and earthen sons. Also, there are repentant, reliable and deceitful and unreliable sons. What kind of son are you? “And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). Today’s reading talks of another set of sons in God’s Kingdom. Although God loves all His sons because He is love personified, yet not all of them please Him equally.While the unrepentant displease the Lord, the repentant please Him and the reliable please Him well. John 4:34 says, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work”. It is not easy to please God. You must be ready to pay a costly price. Anyone who wants to please God must be ready to get into trouble with the flesh. You can be classed as an enemy by those you love if you step out to please God. Usually, pleasing God can make you displease yourself. Are you prepared to pay the price of a son who pleases the Father? Jesus paid that price. He dumped His personal desires and aspiration for that of His Father. His food - what He enjoyed doing the most was making God very happy. Even when the task at hand involved giving His life, He obliged. At the Garden of Gethsemane, when His will crossed God’s, He gave up His (Matt. 26:39-42). Some people are ready to please God only when the price is affordable or cheap. For instance, while the unrepentant and unreliable son will struggle with paying his tithe, the repentant son will always pay his; yet, the one who wants to please his Heavenly Father the more would go beyond 10 percent to 20, 30 or more percent as tithe. Some pastors do not mind becoming full time pastors if only they would be allowed to stay where they prefer. But the moment they are sent to a remote place, they will begin to reconsider if that full time ministerial job is worth it after all; just because they cannot pay the price of pleasing God! ACTION POINT: God may not announce you to the world if you are not prepared to pay the price of pleasing Him. N.B Have you supported the RCCG PROJECT?

CHILDREN: Endangered Species- Open Heavens Daily Devotionals by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jer 30 -32
CHILDREN: ENDANGERED SPECIES Sunday, December 19, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7) READ: 2 Samuel 22:26-28 After Jacob served seven years for Rachel, he was given a veiled lady that wedding night only to discover by the following morning that he was given Leah instead of Rachel (Gen. 29:21-27). Laban simply switched Leah for Rachel. Can God trick us? Galatians 6:7-9 talks of the law of harvest. God repays everyone according to their works. A trickster cannot avoid being tricked. The irony here is that fraudulent people do all they can to avoid being cheated. No matter how hard they try, they will enter into their evil harvest. According to today’s reading, you are the one to set the tone of divine relationship with you. If you are merciful, He will be merciful in His dealings with you. If you are froward, He will be unsavory in His dealings with you. According to Hosea 8:7, the harvest is usually greater than the seed. When an evil seed is sown, the harvest will bring out other dimensions: First, you may be fraudulent to one person in just one area of life but when the harvest comes, several people will defraud you in different areas of life. Also, the effect of an evil harvest reaches beyond the one who sowed the seed: It could affect the spouse, children or even generations after him. The seeds of greed and covetousness sown by Gehazi did not only make him leprous, but also turned his descendants into lepers. If your children are heady and very unruly, check out your past life: find out if you had done similar things before you falsely blame God instead of restituting your evil ways. David was a man after God’s heart yet he did not check his weakness for women. When his son Solomon succeeded him, he continued his father’s weakness with all his might and ended up with 300 wives and 700 concubines. A look into the Laban family reveals that deceit runs in the family. It’s in their blood. If you are stealing from God, be certain that your children will end up as thieves. If you tell lies, at least one of your children will become a certified liar. If you are lusting after the opposite sex, you are sowing trouble for your children. If you love your children at all, keep away from evil seeds that can ruin their lives and destiny, at least for the sake of Heaven. ACTION POINT: What you do today has a direct bearing on the future of your children. Watch what you do! N.B Have you sowed into the RCCG PROJECT?

Take a Higher Step- Open Heavens Daily Devotionals by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jer 27 -29
TAKE A HIGHER STEP Saturday, December 18, 2010
MEMORIZE: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9) READ:  1 Kings 19:19-21 Elisha was a rich man according to modern standards. He was the son of the wealthiest farmer who lived in their time. Twelve yokes of oxen could be compared with having 12 tractors for mechanized farming. Anyone with such equipment today cannot be less than a multi-millionaire. One lesson from this story is that God has a better plan for the rich. Initially, Elisha never knew but when he did, he took a leap for that better plan. God has a better, higher and greater plan for your life. Unfortunately, having experienced some trickles of God’s blessings, many settle down to rest when they still have a long way to go. This explains why many end up with something good but miss out on the better alternative. Always remember that there is something better awaiting you with God. You may never get it until you go to Him. Similarly, if Elisha had chosen to depend on his father’s wealth and achievements, he would never have been outstanding. But he was wise enough to start where his father stopped. It is common knowledge that the most industrious are usually those with nothing to fall back on, while some children of the super rich end up as busy bodies, unable to achieve something for themselves. They fail to realize that they can improve on their inheritance and end up greater than their parents. To achieve your ultimate financial breakthrough, you must be prepared to consider your present level as your starting point. According to 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, what God has for you is far beyond comprehension. Meanwhile, wealthy or comfortable brethren should not spoil their children. Never allow them to be lazy. Let them work hard. In fact, children of rich parents could be deliberately taken through some levels of discomfort or denial so that they can experience the tough side of life. If parents do not flaunt their wealth excessively, it would be easy to teach such children to learn to be independent of their parents. Ensure your children imbibe great virtues such as honesty, hardwork, the fear of God, independence, initiative and excellence which can help them to stand out in an increasingly competitive world. ACTION POINT: If your children get carried away with your wealth or level of comfort and become irresponsible, it is your fault! N.B Have you supported the RCCG PROJECT?

Unusual increase- A sign of favour?- Open Heavens Daily Devotionals by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jer 24-26
UNUSUAL INCREASE - A SIGN? Friday, December 17, 2010
MEMORIZE: “And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies” (Psalm 105:24) READ: Exodus 1:6-7 There are certain signs to indicate that your time of divine favor has come. An unusual increase is usually a signal of something imminent which could be good or bad but will altogether work in favor of the one who loves God. One of my sons who is self employed kept asking God to enlarge his business and profits every year and it was so. After about six years, he asked God to give him an increase in that particular year that equates the profits he made for all previous years and God gave him. He made so much money that year but almost immediately, the Holy Spirit began to prepare his mind for a period of dryness and intense trial of his faith that eventually lasted about 12 years. Watch that unusual increase: it could be signaling an upcoming event. The exodus of the Israelites from a 430 years bondage was preceded by an unusual increase. Exodus 1:7 says, “And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them”. The unusual multiplication of a family in Egypt pushed the Egyptians to envy which propelled a national persecution. Israel grew so fast that Egypt became too small for them. It is only natural to contemplate relocation when your present residence is becoming too small. This signals a time of God’s favor. It is during such a time that a once small business begins to blossom into a large conglomerate having branches in different countries of the world. Such increase compels the business owner to engage more hands, occupy a larger office complex and generate more profits. God was the brain behind Israel’s unusual increase because He was preparing an army that would inhabit the promised land. Psalm 105:24 says, “And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies”. For over 400 years, the children of Israel served as slaves but could not confront their oppressors to demand their wages or freedom. Then suddenly, boldness and strength came to them to the extent that apart from physical weapons, the Egyptians looked like weaklings to them: that was another sign. When your weaknesses are replaced with strength or you notice that any little thing you start suddenly becomes big, know that your time of divine favor to actualize your full potential has come. What are the indicators of the times of favor in your life? ACTION POINT: Ask God for grace to be alert to discern the signs of your set time of favor. Have you supported the RCCG PROJECT?

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CALLING- Open Heavens Daily Devotionals by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jer 21 - 23
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CALLING Thursday, December 16, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (Eph. 5:19) READ: 1 Samuel 16:1-14 “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” (John 15:16). Today’s reading, talks about how David was chosen.  One lesson to note here is that God’s choice precedes our choice.  He does not wait for us to choose to serve Him before He chooses us and has made His choice even before we were created. God has chosen you. He has seen some potentials in you before choosing you; afterall, He put them there. He wants you to bear fruit for His glory. May you not waste the divine deposits in you in Jesus’ Name.  One man who did not waste God’s deposits was David. He had great potentials to be a musician, king, warrior, priest, shepherd and prophet and he satisfied God in all these areas. Unlike king Saul whose bid to offer a sacrifice that only the priest should, cost him his crown, David enquired of the Lord with an ephod meant for only priests. His several fold ministry is a fore runner of the ministry of modern day believers. If you please God in everything you do and give Him what He wants, you can successfully operate in several ministries. According to Revelation 1:5-6, we are called to be kings and priests unto God. 1 Peter 2:9 says we have a peculiar priesthood - a royal one. We are also warriors because we have the fight of faith before us (Ephesians 6:1-12). We are armed with God’s armor just because we are called into this spiritual fight.  In addition, Acts 2:16-17 says because of the outpouring of God’s Spirit on us, we shall prophesy as prophets. We are also called to be musicians hence, Ephesians 5:19 spells out the type of songs we should sing. We are called into a multi-fold ministry.  However, to be able to function effectively as king, prophet, priest, warrior, musician and shepherd, we must have a heart for God like David. We must do His bidding every step of the way and give Him anything He wants. Are you effectively playing these multiple roles? Ask the Lord for grace today. ACTION POINT: Thank God for His multi-dimensional calling on your life. Ask for grace not to fail Him in any area. N.B Have you supported the RCCG PROJECT?

WATCH YOUR FLOCK!- Open Heavens Daily Devotionals by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jer 17-20
WATCH YOUR FLOCK! Wednesday, December 15, 2010
MEMORIZE: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28) READ: Acts 20:28-30 One lesson from the letter written to the church at Ephesus is that it is possible for a church which was established in truth to breed false doctrines. Before Paul left the church at Ephesus, he correctly predicted the coming of false teachers from within and outside their fold who would wrongly indoctrinate others. One thing that gives birth to false teaching is when somebody comes into a gospel church with a wrong foundation and after receiving Christ, he does not take pains to re-examine his beliefs in the light of God’s Word.  A time would come when he will begin to spread such false teachings when he has opportunity. This is why every pastor has to be sure of what their ministers and invited ministers are teaching. Do not just invite any minister to your pulpit. Before you do, first ensure that minister is established in holiness. There are even ministers who when invited to preach in a church begin to give their telephone numbers to members of the congregation right from the pulpit. This is not only an abuse of privilege but also spiritual pilfering. God will hold you as the leader of the church responsible for all that is taught from your pulpit. As a result, the pastor must always be around as much as possible when he delegates teaching assignments. Protect your members from grievous wolves who come in as part of the sheep. If any false doctrine is taught at any time to your congregation, immediately return to your people and teach them the true counsel as regards that matter. One of my sons who is now a senior pastor once taught his congregation that Jesus Christ was created a long time ago because He is the wisdom described in Proverbs 8. Jesus Christ was not created but the Creator of all things (John 1:1-5). Another of my sons who is now also a senior pastor once taught his congregation when he was a minister that because of Jephtah’s rash vow, it was wrong to make a vow to God. On the day he taught this, his parish pastor was not in church but was informed. The following Digging Deep, the pastor using scriptures taught the congregation that it is good to vow and that God still honors vows. Do you ensure that only healthy spiritual diet is served from your pulpit? Watch  the kind of Christian programs your children watch on television lest they imbibe wrong teachings periodically.  Keep watch over the flock. ACTION POINT: As a leader, you are God’s watchman.  How well are you watching those under you? N.B Have you supported www.10millionexercisebooks.com project?