WHAT WISDOM?- Daily devotional with Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Lev. 11-13


WHAT WISDOM?

Wednesday, April 20, 2011


MEMORIZE: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).


READ: James 3:14-18



This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish” (James 3:15). Today's reading talks about wisdom. Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge. It could be from God or from the devil. In this passage, the two are contrasted. How can you identify the wisdom of the devil? Any suggestion or action that accommodates bitterness is devilish.



No matter how laudable an action plan or step is, the moment bitterness is introduced into it, it turns devilish. In other words, you can have a God-glorifying programme that originated from God; if somewhere along the line the leaven of bitterness enters, God will step aside while the devil takes over. Anything you want to do that is born out of bitterness is not of God. Bitterness harms its host as well as its target.



An embittered fellow will struggle with forgiving the one who has offended him or her. Is there any bitterness in your heart against an offender? Forgive and release that individual today. Any counsel or advice that fans the embers of bitterness is not of God. Another work of satanic wisdom is envy. Anything you do out of envy will definitely negate God's will and Word. Any advice given to you with envy as its focal point is definitely not from above.



In addition to these, any counsel that is strife-ridden is not of God. If you are given an advice and as you plan to follow it, you become troubled in your inner man, it is most likely not from God. God's wisdom gives you peace because it emanates from the Prince of Peace. Satanic wisdom is devoid of purity. Any counsel that has any element of sinful compromise is not from above.



Any advice that requires you to be harsh, unkind, or proud is not of God. An exception here is where you are required to be forceful or violent in resisting temptation. It is satanic wisdom that compels you to withdraw mercy from those that need it.


Any advice devoid of the fruit of the Holy Spirit recorded in Galatians 5:22-23 is definitely not of God. The fruit of the Spirit will definitely back up any counsel emanating from Heaven. Any counsel that has elements of partiality or hypocrisy is not from Heaven. What kind of wisdom have you been operating? Key into the heavenly wisdom today.


ACTION POINT: Wisdom grows when it receives the right food. What are you feeding your present level of wisdom with?

FAITH IS ESSENTIAL- Daily devotional with Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Lev. 8-10


FAITH IS ESSENTIAL

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

MEMORIZE: “Now the just shall live by faith: But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Heb. 10:38).

READ: Hebrews 10:35-38

Apart from obedience and knowledge of God, another quality Heaven looks out for in appointing leaders is meekness. According to 1 Samuel 15:17, this quality was in King Saul before his appointment as the first king of Israel. Unfortunately, because he could not sustain the virtue, it cost him his throne. Are you meek? If you must be relevant in Kingdom leadership, you must be meek.



One way of identifying a meek fellow is by looking at how teachable the fellow is. Are you teachable? Are you willing to learn even from your subordinates? The disciples the Lord called to leadership had this virtue. Some people find it difficult to obey God's Word. So, they split the Bible into two halves: one half for reading and obeying and the other half is for reading only.



That means their hearts are only opened to portions they like, while they close the same heart to portions they hate. If some people had their way, they would have expunged certain portions of Scriptures. If you feel that way, it is because you are not meek. The heart of a meek fellow is open to God's Word—from Genesis to Revelation. Does God's Word have a free course in your heart?



In addition to this, a person with the potential for Kingdom leadership must have faith. This quality is most crucial as its presence is vital in every facet of life and ministry. Like the disciples, it takes faith to receive the Word of God and act upon it, for it to produce your desired outcome. My faith in God made me to leave the city of Lagos to reside in the jungle of the Redemption Camp many years ago.



When God said it, I believed the word and took a step of faith in relocating. Today, this same location is fast becoming a city! In Genesis 12, Abraham set out for a location God was yet to disclose due to his faith.



Most people would prefer to be told where exactly to go before they decide whether to go or not. Faith, however, will cause the faithful to step forward, even when the destination is unclear. Do you know that in the course of serving God, situations could arise where only faith is required to go through it? Fine, you want to lead God's people, but do you have the faith such an important task requires?



PRAYER POINT: Ask God to increase the faith level in the leaders of the body of Christ. Lord, increase my faith daily.

PLAY DOWN PHYSICAL SENSES- Daily devotional with Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Lev. 5-7


PLAY DOWN PHYSICAL SENSES

Monday, April 18, 2011

MEMORIZE: “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Cor.4:18).

READ: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Israel was going through one of their driest seasons in history. There was no rain for over three years at a stretch. It was one of their most trying moments. In the midst of hopelessness and oblivion, a prophet of God suddenly rose up and said: “I hear the sound of abundance of rain” (1 Kg. 18:41-45). If you were to check the skyline, you would not see the slightest sign of rain.



However, 2 Chronicles 20:20 says your ability to believe God's prophet is what brings prosperity. Our God is no talkative. Usually He will speak once on any subject. If He speaks twice on the same subject, it means it is serious. Anytime He is speaking on a matter for the third time, you will be sure it is critical. And if He speaks on a matter up to four times, it is extraordinary.



Now, God said the just shall live by faith four whole times. If you were to look around you today, there may be no sign of rain, much less abundance of rain. But by the grace of God, I want to assure you that I have heard the sound of abundance of rain. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”.



Sight and focus are very crucial in accessing God's blessings. Before you can see the unseen, first take off your eyes from the things you can see. One reason many people cannot see into the spirit realm is because they are fixated on what they can see. If you are always moved by sight, then you may not be able to see or receive what ordinary eyes cannot see.



Physical sight is a major hindrance to spiritual sight. It is when you downplay physical sight that you will be introduced to the realm of the supernatural. The one who is fixed on what he can see will be unable to fit into God's plan for his or her life. That you cannot hear the sound does not mean the rain is not coming.



You must be prepared to stop your physical ears; stop listening to what is happening around you, and what people are saying about the economy. This way, your inner ears will awaken to what the Spirit is saying. Step down on the physical to activate the spiritual.



PRAYER POINT: Stepping down on your physical senses activates your spiritual senses. Ask that God will frustrate activities of ritualists in your nation, and cause their hidden locations to be exposed and consumed by fire.

CANDIDATES FOR FAVOUR- Daily devotional with Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Lev. 1-4



CANDIDATES FOR FAVOUR

Sunday, April 17, 2011

MEMORIZE: “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Ps. 22:3).

READ: Matthew 8:1-3

Prayer is an indispensable weapon for every believer. One thing your day of favour should meet you doing is praying. The day that your prayer collides with your time of favour, you may not need to repeat that particular prayer request anymore because the answer will surface. May your prayers collide with your time of favour this season! Another important step to take during your time of favour is to praise God. Psalm 22:3 says, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel”. If your time of favour comes and it meets you praising and worshipping God, you can be certain your desire is granted.



Many people start with praises, but when Heaven delays its response, their song gradually changes from praise to uncertainty. If nothing positive happens soon, it further degenerates into a song of complaints. If this is unchecked, it is soon replaced by songs of bitterness and judgemental comments against God. This is why many people with doubts, complaints and bitterness miss their time of favour.



Pray that your day of favour will not meet you in a state that can rob you of your blessings. On the other hand, there are certain qualities the Lord is looking for in those He will favour. The more of such qualities you possess, the easier and more likely you will become a candidate of divine favour. In John 4:21-24, the Bible records that God is carrying out a manhunt for God- worshippers.



No wonder David was most favoured by God! Do you know that nowadays some believers are more favoured than others because of their position as worshippers? Can God look through your city and say you are His worshipper? God looked all over the world and found David. In today's reading, the multitudes thronged and followed Jesus. One fellow, a leper, however, drew closer, dropped on his knees and worshipped Him.



The Lord could not ignore him. He had no choice but to cleanse him. One category of believers God cannot ignore is worshippers. This leper risked his life—with the possibility of being stoned to death—by smuggling himself to fall at the feet of Jesus. True worshippers are risk-takers. They are ready to die as long as they have the opportunity to worship the Lord. Are you a convenience worshipper or a risk-taking worshipper?



PRAYER POINT: Thank God for all the Christian leaders in your nation. Pray that God will gracefully reposition them as channels of blessings to your nation and beyond.

Fast Forwarding Death? - Daily devotional with Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chron.10-13


FAST FORWARDING DEATH?

Saturday, April 16, 2011


MEMORIZE: “Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” (Psalm 105:15).

READ: Acts 12:20-23

Hebrews 9:27 says that every human being, no matter how highly placed, has an appointment with death. If there is one thing influential and affluent people have always wanted, it is to change this appointment and live forever. Some have paid very dearly in the pursuit of this goal, yet they died. Everyone that wants you terminated shall be terminated long before you.



You shall outlive your enemies! Moreover, although there is a set date for the death of your enemies, that date could be fast-forwarded. That is, they could hasten their day of appointment with death by touching God's anointed. Any unbeliever who is planning your death will make Heaven review his or her appointment with death forward. By touching God's servant, intercessions on that fellow's behalf can be voided, leaving him or her without mercy. Consequently, the slightest error would be used by Heaven to hasten his appointment with death.



One victim of this was King Herod. In Acts 12:1, Herod beheaded James. This kind of death was seen as disgraceful among the synagogue leaders in those days. He did this to score political points with the Jews. When the move was applauded, he planned to kill Peter also. God sent an angel to rescue Peter but unknown to Herod, his record was brought before God for a review.



Then one day, as he stood on the podium, well-dressed in his royal attire, he made an excellent oratory which made his guests—the people of Tyre and Sidon to give him a standing ovation. To further flatter him, they said he spoke like a god. That minute, God asked an angel to strike him dead. From the height of honour, Herod descended into the worst level of disgrace.



As he fell down and his aides swarmed on him to attend to him, they immediately ran back as thousands of worms began to wriggle out and in his pores. In minutes, all that was left of Herod was skeleton! He died the most shameful death they ever knew! Herod was supposed to live longer but he cut his life short by touching God's anointed.



Are you touching God's anointed? Are you a believer maltreating a fellow believer in Christ? You may just be fast-forwarding your appointment with death! Repent and restitute today!



PRAYER POINT: Father, in any way I have fast-forwarded my appointment with death, have mercy and move it backwards in Jesus name

BEING A BLESSING- Daily devotional with Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chron. 7-9




BEING A BLESSING

Friday, April 15, 2011

MEMORIZE:“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them” (Acts 8:5).


READ: Acts 8:5-8

It is one thing to be blessed and another to be a blessing. God starts by blessing His own but wants them to end up being a blessing to others. In Deuteronomy 28:1-12, there is a list of blessings that pertain to the one who has moved from just being blessed to being a blessing: There is an abundance of blessings that you will be running from , yet they will continue to pursue you; enemies who attack you will scatter and flee in seven different directions.



In addition, it says you will lend to nations. Until you reach the level where countries are taking loans from you, you are yet to know true wealth. According to Leviticus 25:7-49, at such a level of wealth, if your relatives sell some of their property because of poverty, you would go and buy it back and return it to them. Or if they become so impoverished to a point of selling themselves, you would go and buy them back.



It is the duty of the strong to help the weak (Rom. 15:1). It is when you are financially strong that you will be able to help the financially weak. With all the resources God has blessed you with, how many people have benefited from you? Talking of blessing others, some think it is limited to money. Not true. Whatever God has deposited in your life can be channelled towards blessing others.



It may be a gift, talent, anointing, academic intelligence, material substances, etc. Similarly, in becoming a blessing, there are different categories. You do not have to start from the highest but from the lowest rung. For instance, you can be a blessing to an individual. In Acts 3:1-8, God used Peter to heal a lame beggar. Do you know you can be a vessel through which God's healing power can be channelled to the sick?



You can meet the need of a financially impoverished brother or sister. How many individuals have you impacted this year? Besides individuals, you can also be a blessing to a city. God used Philip to deliver joy to the city of Samaria (Acts 8:5-8). Beyond these, an individual can become a blessing to a nation. In Genesis 41:33-44, Joseph was a blessing to the nation of Egypt. God used him to preserve lives. In addition, you can become a blessing to the whole world like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:29).

However, start by affecting individuals, then communities, cities, nations, and ultimately the entire world. Do not let any opportunity God gives you to bless others slip away; maximize them and you will be on the rise.

ACTION POINT: When you are a blessing to a few, God will give you the opportunity of blessing more! Seize every opportunity to bless others.

GOD OR MEDICAL REPORT?- Daily devotional with Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chron. 4-6



GOD OR MEDICAL REPORT?

Thursday, April 14, 2011


MEMORIZE: “For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:9).

READ: Psalm 33:8-9



God's Word has integrity. God and His Word cannot be separated. Whatever He says has the power of coming into being. God can promise you anything because He has more than enough resources and the willingness to deliver it. Once He has spoken a word of promise, hold fast unto it, not minding whether it looks feasible or not. Over a period of time, it will surely come to pass.



Some people have gradually slipped into error as they believe that they are far below God's promise because of His inability. That's not true! God can never promise what He cannot do. So, if He has made you a promise, remain in the place of faith and it will be fulfilled. What are your expectations for yourself, family, church, academics and ministry this season? They shall be granted to you in Jesus name.



There was this spiritual daughter of mine who has been trusting God for a child for several years. One day, she attended our Special Holy Ghost Service and the Holy Spirit said that a woman was going to have a set of twins. She received the word in faith and that same month, she became pregnant. Three months later, when she went for scan, the doctor told her she had a baby in her womb.



Agreeing she was pregnant, she however protested that God had promised her two. She held fast to God's promise instead of the scan report. Two months later, another report confirmed she had two babies. What do you believe today—God or the medical report? To enforce God's promise over your circumstance, you must refuse to walk by sight. Whenever you focus your mind on only what you can see, God is totally out of the equation. Sight kills but faith heals. Sight robs but faith gives. God's Word can never fail those who trust or depend on it.



Is God's Word working for you? If it is not, check your level of trust and dependence. Some people cannot stand delays. Habakkuk 2:3 says it is worth waiting for your God-given vision because every vision has its appointed time. Delay has robbed many of their blessings. Are you losing a promise of God because of delay? Go back to God in humility and repentance and reconnect in faith. God's Word shall stand concerning your life this season.

KEY POINT: Faith does not stop you from carrying out a test—say concerning your health —but should stop you from accepting its negative report.

Foolishnes causes Sickness- Daily devotional with Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chron. 1-3


FOOLISHNESS CAUSES SICKNESS

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

MEMORIZE: “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.” (Ps. 107:17).



READ: Psalm 107:17-19



Not eating right and ignorance of the causes of sicknesses can lead one into sickness. For instance, if you do not know that sharing needles or razor blades with others can be an avenue for transmitting the HIV/AIDS virus, you may continue to do so and in the process, contract it. There are many people who contracted the virus from such media and not out of sexual activity.



In addition, foolishness is a major cause of sickness among believers. If after acquiring the relevant knowledge or information on the causes of sicknesses, you fail to apply that knowledge appropriately and become a victim of that sickness, it is due to foolishness. The nonchalant attitude of many Christians has given them the sickness that sin could not deliver to them.



If, after being warned against sharing needles and razor blades, one still goes to a barbing salon to share barbing instruments, or a student joins a campus cult that initiates him with the same needle used on several others, sooner than later, such will soon be diagnosed to be HIV- positive. The person who knows that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are contracted through sex and goes ahead to engage in extramarital sexual relations, is only courting such sicknesses; this is foolishness.



Do you know that most of the diseases plaguing many today could have been avoided if only the victims adhered to the instructions they were earlier given about them? Closely allied to foolishness is presumption. This has equally led many into sicknesses. Using faith as an excuse, some Christians do not adhere to any standard of hygiene whatsoever. Instead of purchasing very clean or treated water, they fetch dirty water from the well, pond or stream, pray over it and drink it, quoting Mark 16:18. God did not say you should be foolish or presumptuous.



Don't you think you are tempting God by such an action? Why can't you boil that water, allow it to cool and thereafter filter it for drinking purposes? If you eat or drink something you know is poisonous or spoilt, be prepared to host the sickness you have invited. If you take a poisonous substance unknowingly, however, that scripture can apply. Are you inviting sicknesses or diseases by what you eat or drink? Stop that today!



KEY POINT: A believer must have and maintain a high level of hygiene.

VITAL KEYS OF LEADERSHIP- Daily devotional with Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Rom. 12-16


VITAL KEYS OF LEADERSHIP

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

MEMORIZE: : Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22).

READ: Joshua 1:5-9



Before appointing the 12 apostles, the Lord Jesus Christ first took the time to know them personally. He did not appoint them from the blues. Before you recommend or appoint someone to occupy an ecclesiastical position, be sure you know the fellow to some good degree. It is dangerous to appoint those you know little or nothing about. 1 Timothy 5:22 says, “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure”.



If you hurry over leadership issues, you will most likely be affected by the error of those appointed. Wrong or faulty appointments therefore do not exonerate the one who made the appointment; hence, the need to be extremely careful. How careful are you in appointing leaders? A look at John 17:6-8 shows that you need more than submission to become a Kingdom leader.



Two additional qualities that Christ's disciples possessed here are the ability to keep God's Word and their knowledge of Christ. Hence, Joshua 1:8 links obedience to God's Word with success in life and ministry. If you truly want to succeed in life or ministry, you cannot afford to toy with God's commands. People may take you for a fool when you stick with God's standards yet, unknown to them, you are paving your way into unequalled prosperity. Similarly, Daniel 11:32 establishes a link between the knowledge of God and exploits.



The level of signs, wonders and miracles that can exude from your life and ministry will depend to a large extent on how much of God you know. If you say you know God, yet you are still afraid of the devil, situations, unpleasant circumstances, problems and the threats of men, that knowledge of God is questionable or suspect. Your knowledge of God cannot be hidden for too long because sooner or later, something will happen that will necessitate its use. If you are spiritually weak or feeble, it is an evidence of a lack of sufficient knowledge of God.



Boldness emanates from knowing God. If you know God to some extent, you will have understanding. You will know your rights and privileges in God's Kingdom. The more you learn about God, the more you will understand how to fit into His plan. How intimate or how deep is your knowledge of God?



KEY POINT: It is not enough to claim to know God. Let us see that knowledge reflect in the way you handle situations.

IT'S NOT AN EASY RIDE- Daily devotional with Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Rom. 9-11
IT'S NOT AN EASY RIDE Monday, April 11, 2011
MEMORIZE: “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (Heb. 6:15). READ: 1 Samuel 16:11-13 When God makes you a promise, expect contrary winds and conditions from the adversary geared towards making you give up on that promise. Many believers erroneously expect a smooth ride from a promise to its fulfilment. There is no such thing as an easy ride as long as your adversary the devil, his demons, your flesh and the world are still very much around. Any promise you fail to fight for may never be realized. After God promised to liberate the Israelites from a 430-year-long slavery, they met with resistance. Pharaoh was the most formidable. He questioned God's authority and finally refused to let the Israelites out of his hold. It took several plagues, climaxing in the death of Pharaoh's firstborn and all the firstborns of the Egyptians and their animals to let them go. Finally, in Exodus 19:17-19, the Israelites were beside the mountain where God wanted them to worship Him. It may take some time, hold on to God's promise. Difficulties may come, still hold on. Eventually, that promise of God will come to pass. Another Bible character God made a mighty promise to was David. One day, while busy enjoying himself at the backside of the desert, a messenger came to this shepherd boy telling him he was urgently needed at home to be anointed as king (1 Sam. 16:11-13). But instead of being enthroned after the anointing, he found himself dodging the king's javelin at the palace. He would have asked himself: 'Was I anointed to die by the hand of the king I was supposed to replace?' Thereafter, in 1 Samuel 22:1-2, he relocated to a cave living with a group of vagabonds who made him their captain. At this time, Satan would have been having a good laugh and saying to the demons: 'We shall see how he can ever become king, maybe king of vagabonds and animals'. Do you know that Satan laughs when he appears to be making headway in frustrating God's promise for your life? In spite of Satan's laugh, in 2 Samuel 2:1-4, a day came when David was appointed king over Judah. David celebrated that appointment because, after all, it was better than being the king of hooligans. Then in 2 Samuel 5:1 - 5, he was anointed king over all Israel. Yet, God said He was not yet through with him. Note in Mark 10:46 - 52, when Bartimeaus heard that Jesus was passing by, he called him the son of David. God took a shepherd boy and made him the father of the King of kings. Is God's promise for you, your family, or church looking farfetched? Hold on! It will surely come to pass. Wait as long as it takes. KEY POINT: God's pathway is the sure way to your destiny.