MEET YOUR CREATOR- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

MEET YOUR CREATOR Saturday, January 30, 2010

MEMORIZE: “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist ” (Col 1:17) READ: Colossians 1:14-18 The Lord Jesus Christ is linked with divinity, man, animals and even plants by His names and titles. Generally, He is linked with the whole of creation as the Creator. Ephesians 3:9 says, “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ”. John 1:3 confirmed this when it said: “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made”. After the Godhead had decided to make the world, God the Son was the One who swung into action to implement this. Everything in Heaven and on earth was created by Jesus Christ with the consent of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Nothing exists outside of what He created. This means that every human being has a link with Jesus Christ as Creator. It is very sad when people rebel against Jesus. How pained He is when He is rejected by those He created with His bare hands! By virtue of creation, every one owes Jesus Christ their origin. We all came from Him and some day, we will all return to Him. The implication of this is that He is interested in the affairs of all His creatures particularly you and would want to help out. Do you relate with Him as your Creator? One thing you can be assured of is that the Creator has a purpose for creating you. The reason many go through life without a purpose or without fulfilling their destinies is because they decided to part ways with their Creator. There is no way the original, fantastic blueprint for your life can be found except you return to your Creator. Your destiny is in Christ. That you have become rich, popular or presently occupy a position of authority does not mean that you are taking the right path to your destiny. Many have gone into activities and have made names for themselves without discovering God’s purpose for their lives. Do you know how shocked such people would be on the other side of eternity to discover what they were meant to be, which they never achieved? Jesus your Creator is calling you to Himself today. He is ready to fix your disorganized life if only you will let Him. ACTION POINT: There is no human ancestory without Jesus Christ. If you think you were not created by Him, go and find your source.

GOD WHO CREATED ME: A BOOK FOR THE QUIET TIME.

Stop that Axe- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

STOP THAT AXE!
Friday, January 29, 2010

MEMORIZE: “And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matthew 3:10)

READ: Daniel 4:13-14

“I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven” (Daniel 4:13). The big, beautiful and fruitful tree in king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was under observation. You are under observation. You are constantly being watched by unseen forces. Some leaders believe the higher they climb, the more difficult it becomes for anyone to monitor them closely.

That is not true! The reality is that the higher you climb, the easier it becomes for all to see your errors. Heavenly watchers are everywhere watching you, hence you ought to be more careful in all you do. Some errors would be ignored and known to just a few if committed some years ago when you were a ‘nobody’; but now that you are ascending the ministerial ladder, it would be seen by many and would not easily be glossed over.

Apart from watching, the heavenly watcher was asked to cut down the tree, cut off the branches, shake off the leaves and scatter the fruits. In other words, every sign of life and fruitfulness was to be destroyed. Until then, the tree never thought that it could be cut down. There is nothing impossible to God. What He cannot do through men, he will engage angels. What He cannot do through angels, He will do Himself. Two categories of trees are meant to be cut down. They are the proud and the fruitless Christian.

According to Proverbs 16:18, it is only a matter of time every proud person will be cut down. Unfortunately, because the repercussion of a proud act is not immediately effected, some people think they have escaped it. King Nebuchadnezzar was cut down one year after his act of pride (Dan. 4:28-33). Have you sown some seeds of pride and believe the results have gone away because you have received Jesus into your heart?

Take steps in humility to destroy the imminent evil harvest now! Also, Matthew 3:10 says any believer who is incapable of growing the good fruit of the Spirit deposited in him will be cut down. Every manifestation of the Adamic nature draws you closer to the heavenly axe man. If you live like an angel in church but like the devil in your school or work place, you are a candidate for divine axing. Repent today and avoid anything that can bring down God’s axe. What you need is not the axe but the rain of God’s blessings!

ACTION POINT:

Father, in any way an axe is laid to my roots, forgive me and turn it away. Help me never to attract the axe in what I do or say.

MARKS OF COMMITMENT- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

MARKS OF COMMITMENT
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

MEMORIZE: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke. 14:33) 

READ: Genesis 39: 17-23

According to John 10:30, Jesus was one with the Father and John1: 1-3 says He took part in creating everything with the Father. So equality with His Father was not in doubt as Phillipians 2: 5-6 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God”. Before He took the form of a man, He relinquished His equality and completely subordinated Himself and His will to the Father. Personal commitments to God can cause you great suffering and death like it did to Jesus.

In Daniel 1:8, the commitment of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to the living God cast them their right to the King’s table. They became vegetarians in the midst of abundance. Similarly, in Daniel 3, because of their commitment, they were hurled into Nebuchadnezzar’s burning fiery furnace. They could have been roasted yet they did not mind. If you say you are committed  to God, and you have not gotten into trouble as a result, something is definitely wrong somewhere. Commitment to God will take something from you. Sometimes, it could even take everything from you. Are you committed to God? Where are the marks of that commitment?

According to today’s reading, Joseph’s commitment to God cost him a lot. He lost his position as the most trusted servant-manager, lost favour before his master, and attracted false allegations from his master’s wife which landed him in prison for a crime he never committed. A preacher once said whenever Paul the apostle arrived in a town or city, he first paid a visit to their prison because he knew sooner or later, he might end up there. Are there marks of commitment to Christ in your life? Have you lost your job or contract because you refused to be defiled? Have you become bereaved or suffered so much for your commitment? The good news is that every mark of your commitment attracts great Heavenly rewards. If you are not prepared to go to prison, be isolated or suffer loss for your commitment to God, you are not ready to serve Him.

ACTION POINT: Count all your losses, sacrifices and sorrows as a result of your faith in Christ and thank God for grace to suffer these afflictions.

The Word of God - Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

THE LINK Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Understanding The Bible

MEMORIZE: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7)

READ: John 6:59-63

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7). Jesus Christ is the Word of God. He is the Word that became flesh (John 1:14). He is the only God that dwelt among human beings, was seen, touched, and spoken to (1 John 1:1-4). God the Word is the same as God the Son. The Bible calls Him the Son of God. The Muslims say God has no wife: how then can He have a son? A man is known by His word.

A man is identified by his words. Jesus Christ came from the inner-most being of God the Father. And as the Word, He is the Son, power, wisdom and everything that God the Father is. He is the expression of God. Without God speaking, nobody would have known who He was. The Bible says Jesus Christ is the first spoken Word of God. God the Father spoke out God the Son, and God the Son spoke out God the Holy Spirit. John 6:63 says, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I

speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”.

Jesus is God. He says that the Word He speaks is the Spirit. The words that Jesus speaks is Jesus. So Jesus and the Spirit are one. The Word and the Spirit are the same. Since Jesus and His Word are the same, each time you frolic with the Word of God (the Bible), you make contact with Jesus Christ. Also, the much of God’s Word you know is the extent of Jesus Christ you know. The closer you are to your Bible, the nearer you are to the Living Word. The much of God’s Word you hide in your heart, the much of God you have in you.

If you profess to be a believer in Christ but do not spend quality time with the Bible, you are impoverished in terms of Christ. Hence, Colossians 3:16 says you should allow the words of Christ to fill you up. Are you rich or impoverished in the Word of Jesus Christ? How much of His Word do you know? How much of His Word do you obey? Have you made His Word the standard for daily living? Is His Word the final authority in your life? Your relationship with Jesus tells how you relate with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit; Hence the Word of God is the link.

ACTION POINT:

The Word of God (the Bible) is your link with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Refreshing Anointing- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

REFRESHING ANOINTING TODAY: Monday, January 25, 2010

MEMORIZE: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” (Acts 3:19) 

READ: Luke 10:17-21

In Acts 5:1-11, Peter used his supernatural power to uproot a couple in the Early Church. Sanitizing the church is not by mere talking but by the supernatural move of God. Some years ago, during the Convention, it was time for me to pray for the pastors who came from the various denominations. As I was about to pray, I heard in my spirit a discussion of two witches - one on my right and the other on my left, saying it was time for them to operate. Immediately, I announced that if they come out they would be delivered but if not, they would die within a week.

They confessed and one of them said he was not personally responsible but what was in him. The presence of the supernatural would make men to see God the way He is. Quite a number of unbelievers believe that the testimonies they hear by testifiers are stage-managed - nothing but lies. But when they see the raw demonstration of God’s power, they will not be cajoled before they surrender.

A man once attended the Holy Ghost Service. His son had been trying to persuade him over an issue but he refused to listen. As soon as he came in, as instructed by the Lord, I said there is a man coming for the first time who came late because he was feeding his snake. And that the Lord said before he gets home, his snake will die but if he loves himself he should surrender to Jesus or else he will die with his snake. Immediately he heard it, he ran out and was delivered. If you are in contact with the supernatural, soul winning would be piece of cake.

After the seventy returned from evangelism, they had great joy and testimonies because of the supernatural acts that followed them. But even after that, the Lord re-empowered them. According to Acts 1:8, God wants you to wait to contact His supernatural power before you go out. This is one way you can be assured of a successful outing. Also, if after you are baptized and empowered by the Holy Spirit and you utilize the anointing in liberating others; particularly in winning souls for Christ, a refreshing anointing awaits you as you retreat into His presence like the seventy did. Yes, the supernatural refreshes!

ACTION POINT:

After being spent for God, if you are not refreshed in His presence, you will suffer a burn out.

Feeding and Choices - Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

FEEDING AND CHOICES
TODAY: Sunday, January 24, 2010

MEMORIZE: “Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good” (Isa. 7:15) 

READ: Isaiah 7:14-16

Information guides decision making. The quality of decisions you make is determined by the information you have. With in-depth and current information on a subject matter, you will be guided to make better decisions than when you never had access to such information. Another salient factor that would help you in making better decisions is spiritual nourishment. To develop the physical brain power, good food is necessary. 

Malnourishment in children increases tendency for mistakes and poor mental development due to deficiency in certain nutrients the brain requires to function at its optimal level. In the same way, a malnourished believer will face challenges in effectively developing his mind and discerning abilities. Hence, if you want to be spiritually sensitive, you must combine prayer, the undiluted Word of God, spirit-led worship and regular fellowship with the brethren. It is easier to make the right decisions and choices in an atmosphere of good spiritual nourishment. Your environment goes a long way to affect what you become. Your environment undoubtedly makes certain inputs into you which eventually determines your final output. This is why a child raised among local farmers would likely choose local farming as a career. What are you surrounded with?

Our Lord Jesus Christ was also affected by His environment as a growing child. Isaiah 7:15 says, “Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good”. From this scripture, a link is established between food and choice. What you feed on affects your choice. If you feed on the things of the flesh, you would be carnal in your choices and decisions. But if you feed on the things of the Spirit, you will find yourself making good, spiritually uplifting decisions. What do you feed on regularly? If you spend more time with sinner friends just to chat and gossip with them, or in front of the television box watching everything in the name of exciting programmes, your mind will be filled with worldly wisdom. Do not be surprised if you accidentally adopt the wisdom of the world in solving your problems!

ACTION POINT: Don’t just take anything in the name of feeding. Eat deliberately. Eat according to knowledge.

WHAT TO AVOID- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

WHAT TO AVOID
TODAY: Saturday, January 23, 2010

MEMORIZE: “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14) 

READ: Psalm 34: 12-14

One way you can prove your love for God is by abstaining from all appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22). Our Father is completely good and in Him is no evil. God cannot stand the sight of sin because Habakkuk 1: 13 says His eyes are too pure to behold evil. When our Lord Jesus Christ hung on the Cross of Calvary bearing the sins of the world, because of this divine quality, the Father turned His face from His Son and Jesus cried out: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). If you love God, you cannot stand the sight of sin. If you love God, your spirit man would be grieved each time evil is practiced around you. You cannot stand the sight of fornicators, liars or gamblers. You will not feel at ease in the company of the ungodly. If you feel comfortable in the company of evil doers, something has gone wrong with your love for God. If you are no longer grieved by the sins of sinners, then your love for God is questionable.

What are the appearances of evil that you should flee from? It could be seemingly harmless suggestions of a friend or loved one. Whenever you are advised to do something capable of breaking your relationship with God, for instance, when told to try fetish priests for the solution of nagging problems,  that is an appearance of evil. Take your leave (Psalm 1: 1-3). It could be during moments of leisure when you see or stumble on nude pictures on the television. If you do not flee, but think you are strong enough to handle it, within minutes, you could fall and would be the one searching for more of such scenes. In the same vein, when confronted with a compelling situation that is preset to cause you to sin like Joseph and Portiphar’s wife, flee (Gen. 39:7-12). If  you were a drunk before you became a believer in Christ, avoid watching beer commercials on television and going to beer parlours. Avoid being in the company of an ex-boyfriend  or ex-girlfriend alone. Avoid every negative thought of vengeance, strife, fraud, or immorality. Never give place to any sinful suggestion. If you do not want God to take His leave, keep away from polluted places. Any friend who continues to influence you to practice sin must be avoided. Any work place that does not give you space for righteous living and service of God must be shunned.

ACTION POINT: If you know what to avoid, and keep your distance from such things, you will struggle less with sin and your flesh. Ask for grace to avoid all you must avoid.