Open Heavens Devotional: SPIRITUAL ADVOCACY – Friday, June 29, 2012 by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: My little children, these things write l unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1 John 2:1

Read: Revelation 12:10-11

Bible in one year: Psalms 67-69

When you have a case in court, who do you call to speak for you? Your lawyer or defence attorney of course. Just as we have cases in courts in the physical realm, so also do we have cases in the spiritual realm. Believe it or not, verdicts from the spiritual courts supersede that of the physical realm. Many times, people only act out in the physical what has been decided in spiritual courts. Witches, wizards and evil people gather in the dead of the night to lay certain accusations against people and to pass judgment on them. You do not need to attend their meetings even though sometimes God can take you there to see what they are doing. A minister of God once saw himself on an elevator descending into the earth. As it stopped, he stepped into a meeting arena of people belonging to the kingdom of darkness. He sat with them and listened to all they were saying and doing, then he stood up and began to oppress them by pressing each of their heads downwards, saying, “So this is what you come here to do?” They were surprised to see him at their meeting. He was there oppressing them but they could not harm him because greater is the One inside of him.

Every evil gathering against you shall fail and their plans against you shall be disappointed in Jesus name. Sometimes God can give you a glimpse of the activities of your enemies. His purpose is for you to use this knowledge to fight these enemies. All the same, when a case is brought against you in the spirit realm, 1 John 2:1 says Jesus Christ is our advocate. In courts, you have defence witnesses who your lawyer will call. Romans 8:33 says God is your Justifier and Genesis 18:23-25 calls Him the Judge of the earth. And if He is for you who can be against you (Romans 8:31)? On the other hand, you have the accuser of the brethren-the devil and demons who bring cases against us (Revelations 12:10). Isaiah 54:17 says you shall condemn every tongue that rises against you. This is why you must not do anything to turn your Defence Attorney against you. As long as He is in agreement with you, victory over your accusers is certain.

PRAYER POINT:

Thank God for your Advocate – Jesus Christ. Ask God for grace to remain in good standing with Him.

Open Heavens Devotional: OUR GOD REIGNS – Thursday, June 28, 2012 By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21.

Read: 2 Samuel 6:9-12

Bible in One year: Psalms 64-66

Are you doubting whether God can intervene in your life? Irrespective of your doubts, because our God reigns, laughter will come into your family this season in Jesus name. Our God cannot co-reign with poverty because He is the Jehovah El-Shaddai- the All Sufficient God, the inexhaustible God (Genesis 17:1). In 2 Samuel 6:9-12, the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the house of Obededom and poverty and lack immediately gave way. He became so prosperous that he was the talk of the town just within three months! Is Jesus in your life? If He is, l command lack and poverty to disappear from your life today!

Several ramifications can be deduced from the fact our God reigns. Since our God now reigns, the rule of sickness, demons, sorrow, darkness, failure, barrenness, and poverty has been terminated in your life. An African proverb says that when the cat travelled, the house became the abode of mice, but when the cat returns, what happens? The mice will disappear or be killed. Our God reigns, means the cat has returned so every sorrow, sickness, disgrace, disappointment, etc. must scatter now. Also, since no two captains can man the same ship, when God steps in, everything else contending with God will have to step out. The moment the Lord stepped into Peter’s boat, failure jumped out but it did not stop there. Jesus became the controller and owner of the boat. When He comes into your house, He will not just be a guest or tenant but the landlord. When you let Him into your home, He will not just be a friend of the bridegroom but the One in charge of that home and barrenness and other anti-family elements will give way. When you let Him into your business, He will become the MD/CEO and poverty will leave you alone. The devil can only play tricks in areas Jesus is not reigning. Is He reigning in every area of your life?

PRAYER POINT:

Master Jesus, reign in every area of my life.

Open Heavens Devotional: RELEASE BY FORGIVING – Wednesday, June 27, 2012 By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as l had pity on thee? Matthew 18:33

Read: Matthew 18:21-35

Bible in one year: Psalms 61-63

Most things on earth respond to the principle of sowing and reaping, and mercy is not an exception. If you want to continually enjoy God’s mercy, sow mercy into the lives of those who offend or owe you. In Matthew 18:21-35, we learn that the reason a heavily-indebted servant whose debt was forgiven had to be locked up until he paid up, was because he could not forgive his fellow servant as he was forgiven. As a result, the forgiveness he had received was neutralized by his unforgiving stance and he ended up a debtor. You asked for, and received forgiveness as a sinner and you became born again. Even after your salvation, you keep asking for the blood of Jesus to cleanse you from sin no matter how weighty they are. Yet you refuse to forgive the brother who misunderstood or misinterpreted your views. If possible, you would want the Holy Ghost fire to roast him; for what? For not greeting you when he passed by or for stepping on your toes? If you cannot forgive and truly release that fellow from your heart, you have ceased from walking in love.

Many people are sick and wondering why. You will be surprised how many people are sick because of un-forgiveness, bitterness and similar character defects. A woman came to Ebute-Metta, Lagos (SW Nigeria) in the early 80’s. It was the 18th of all the places she had gone to for prayers. When she came into the church, she said she had finally found a church where nobody would kill her. One day, she rose up from her sleep and accused Baba of being among those who wanted her dead. Then l knew something was wrong so l invited her for more talk and the Holy Spirit told me she was harbouring un-forgiveness hence tormentors were tormenting her life. When l tried to probe further, she said her husband did something and she resolved never to forgive him. If you want progress, prosperity, forgiveness and mercy, forgive those who offend you. Release them from your heart. Has your pastor offended you? Forgive him. Has the choir mistress stepped hard on your toes during your rehearsals? Forgive her. Sow forgiveness and reap mercy. Un-forgiveness is holding back the blessings of many. Release your blessings today!

KEY POINT:

The level of love or hatred in the body of Christ can be measured by the type of prayers we pray for one another.

Open Heavens Devotional: WHAT ABOUT YOUR TONGUE? – Tuesday, June 26, 2012 By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21

Read: Psalms 34:11-13

Bible in one year: Psalms 58-60

Many things seen in the spirit realm never materialise because those who saw them failed to cry out. Your mouth is a very powerful weapon that could determine whether you live or die. It is relatively preferable to be able to speak than to see. When they brought a blind and dumb man to the Lord in Matthew 12:22, He healed him and the man both “spake and saw”. Take note of the order. There is something called the law of priority. If you can speak, even if you were blind as a bat, with your voice you can call out for help like erstwhile blind Bartimaeus. Proverbs 18:21 says the power of death and life are in the tongue. Some parents use their tongue to kill, limit, enslave or destroy themselves or members of their families. When something unpleasant happens, watch what you say! When your child misbehaves, watch your remarks! When you are angry, keep the doors of your lips sealed! Why? The enemy is right beside you with a spiritual recording device, ready to record what you say in order to use it against you. The homes of many believers are not together because their tongue is pulling them apart.

Are you always confessing negative things about yourself? Do you justify such actions because you feel you should say things as they are and face reality? Or you think if you confess positive things about a negative situation, it amounts to a lie of self deception? The rule is, never use your mouth to negate what you want God to do to an unpleasant situation. The Lord told the Israelites in the wilderness, It is what you have spoken in my ears that l will do to you (Numbers 14:28). What do you often speak into God’s ears? If you study the life of Jesus Christ, He had great control over His tongue. He used His tongue positively and He reaped the results. Lazarus died but the Lord said he was sleeping and that He would go and wake him up, and it was so (John 11:11, 43-44). Jairus’ daughter died and Jesus said she was sleeping and He woke her back to life (Mark 5:39-43). The power of your tongue can grant approval to the negative things you say about yourself. Watch what you say with your mouth!

ACTION POINT:

Deliberately confess good things concerning yourself and your family regularly and God will establish your confessions.

Open Heavens Devotional: KEY OF CONSECRATION – Monday, June 25, 2012 By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your heart, ye double minded. James 4:8

Read: Philippians 3:7-11

Bible in one year: Psalms 55-57

Just like The Door-Jesus, can open all doors, so also can your faith, if only you are linked with The Door and you believe in Him. Apart from The Door and your faith, another key that can open the door to power is the key of consecration. James 4:8 says:

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your heart, ye double minded.

You will notice from this verse that having a close walk with God is reciprocal. God has already taken the first step by sending His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for us when we did not know Him. Now He says take a step towards me and l will take step towards you. Man’s stride is short compared to God’s stride. At the end of the day, He is still the One to take the greater step but He wants you to put in that little effort. If you love the Lord, you will sacrifice one thing or the other to prove your love. What effort are you making towards growing in Christ? There is power in consecration. In Philippians 3:7-11, Paul sacrificed all his past gains and achievement just to know Jesus. No wonder Acts 19:11-12 says God performed special miracles through him. Are you consecrated? In past times, people entered covenants such as No Bible No Breakfast, No Soul No Sleep, NO Tithe No Spending, No Prayer No Service, No Forgiveness No Sleep, No Forgiveness No Offering, etc. what is your consecration today?

Another key to open doors is obedience, which God prefers to sacrifice. Obedience entails receiving instructions and complying with them. It is increasingly becoming difficult for Christians to comply with simple instructions. They prefer to adjust instructions to suit their tastes. If you cannot obey God to the letter, certain doors may remain closed to you. Isaiah 1:19 says you must be willing and obedient before you can enjoy the treasures of your land. Have you complied with every instruction the Lord has given you? As you obey Him, doors will open to you in every direction.

ACTION POINT:

Consecration gives direction to your life. Adopt one or more covenants with God as exemplified in the study and make them your daily slogans and practice.

Open Heavens Devotional: DEATH SEALS FATE – Sunday, June 24, 2012 By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15

Read: Luke 16:19-26

Bible in one year: Psalms 52:54

It is good to be talented and divinely gifted but the talents, gifts, abilities and anointing that go with you to the grave without being utilised could stand against you as exhibits of disobedience. Are you using your resources effectively? Colossians 4:5 says the time is short so try and redeem it. One reason people dread death is because after death one’s fate is sealed. The story of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates this (Luke 16:19-26). Immediately Lazarus died, his soul was transported by angels to paradise whereas his body was buried without any ceremony. In fact, to many, including the rich man, it was good riddance to bad rubbish. His fate was immediately sealed. He was forever to be in Heaven. No more begging, no more sickness, no more ridicule, no more dogs to lick his wounds. He would forever enjoy the splendour, glory, comfort and abundance of the Most High God. That was a positive eternal seal.

As a believer, it is your duty to rely on God’s grace to live for Christ while you are alive and resist the devil’s advances, offers and temptations until your last breath. A second afterwards, your fate is forever sealed in Heaven. Beloved, are you going through tough times? Are the times even becoming tougher? Are you facing so much pressure to compromise your faith especially because some leaders you looked up to have fallen? Are you thinking of given up? Don’t! Hold on still. It will soon be over! You are at a very crucial stage of your faith, don’t give in to your flesh, the devil or external pressures! Just continue to ask for grace to live victoriously every day. On the other hand, the rich man died and was given a world-class burial but his soul found itself in hell. His fate was sealed. On earth, he did not have time to repent; now he had all the time but no opportunity to repent. If you have opportunity now to repent, by all means create time for it, because a time is coming when you may have all the time but no opportunity. Millions are regretting and acknowledging Christ in hell but all that is futile because their fate is forever sealed. Revelation 20:11-15 says all inhabitants of hell will eventually be moved into an eternal lake of fire!

ACTION POINT:

When death seals the fate of an individual, it is a point of no return. Consider yourself if your fate is positively sealed and take necessary action.

Open Heavens Devotional: HALF-BAKED GENERATION – Saturday, June 23, 2012 By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

Read: Romans 15:4-5

Bible in one year: Colossians 3-4

If you will become someone great, you must maximise the use of your time resource which is one of the greatest assets available to you. May you not fall victim to opportunities lost in time like the children of Israel! A philosophy I imbibed from my teacher in my primary school days was: “Never leave till tomorrow what you can do today”. Many people sit down and say they are killing time; No, they are killing themselves because time does not die. How effectively are you using your time? Are you fond of procrastinating? This is the time to dust yourself up and begin to run.

Another major challenge we have to be mindful of which can affect our success is the modern day instant gratification culture and tendency to be multitasking in so many things but without depth in anything. In time past, people took their time to do all that was done such as cooking, building, etc. hence they were well done. But today, technology has turned everything into something instant: instant tea! Instant coffee! Instant meal! Instant wife! Instant husband! Instant everything! There is so much rush doing virtually everything that virtually nothing is well done. Things are now half-cooked and half-baked. You now eat half-baked food, live in half-baked houses; marry half-baked wife or husband, raise half-baked children, attend half-baked services and raise half-baked converts. Today, half-baked pastors and leaders adorn our churches and they are giving the body of Christ a lot of problems. Also, senior pastors who should be calling for vigils are now saying they are not necessary. Nobody wants to spend time praying anymore. Claim it now and get it now is now trendy! If the pastor is praying for five minutes, the members would be asking, what is wrong with this fellow? This is an unfortunate trend that every true believer in Christ must overcome. There is no half-baked salvation. It is either you are saved or you are not. God gives attention to details but if you don’t, you cannot flow with Him.

KEY POINT:

Some people rush out of church service which they barely endured and go to spend twice or more of that time on the internet. Consider your ways!

Open Heavens Devotional: BUILD UP INTERNALLY – Friday, June 22, 2012 By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith: that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:17

Read: Ephesians 3:17-20

Bible in one year: Colossians 1-2

When God decides to bless an individual, it will affect him all round. God can go as far as using the person’s enemy to bless him. We have an example of this in Numbers 23:16-24. Here Balaam was hired to curse. He opened his mouth to curse the children of Israel but blessings came out instead. This is one of God’s benefits to the ones that He loves. He can turn a curse into a blessing depending on who is involved. Every curse against you and your family shall become blessings in Jesus name. Once God blesses you, nobody can reverse it except you. The moment God says you are blessed; things will begin to happen in quick succession. If your work was not prospering, it will begin to prosper, but if you stray from Him, what was easy will become hard. If what you used to do effortlessly is now being done with a lot of struggle, God may be calling for your attention. It is possible you may have strayed from His path. Examine yourself and reconnect as quickly as possible.

Even when you follow Him with all your heart, your prosperity may not come overnight, but be rest assured that it will surely come. Some testimonies are best kept with the testifiers because if they are shared, people will say God is partial. God can bless you beyond measure because His name is Jehovah El-Shaddai. That request you think is too great is nothing to Him. When you fail to ask exactly what you need, thinking you are becoming excessive, you are only acting in doubt. Ephesians 3:20 says:

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

From this scripture, the working of God in your life is a function of the measure of His presence or power in your life. If you want God to do the impossible for and through you, you must ensure that His presence inside you grows tremendously. Investing in knowing God is not in vain. Ask Him to fill every void in you to a point that only Jesus would be seen in all you say and do.

PRAYER POINT:

Pray according to Ephesians 3:17; that your heart may be rooted and grounded in love.

Open Heavens Devotional: MENOPAUSE TO “MENO- PLAY” – Thursday, June 21, 2012 By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:1

Read: Isaiah 54:1-4

Bible in one year: Philemon 1, Titus 1-3

When God reigns, He reigns alone. He never shares His throne with sickness, Satan or demons. God is light and it is not possible for darkness to rule where the Light is reigning, hence John 1:5 says:

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

All his life, Bartimaeus was in darkness as a blind man, but the day he came across our God, his darkness gave way to light (Mark 10:46-52). Are you in a state of darkness? Is darkness thriving in your situation as a child of God? In the name of Jesus l command that darkness to give way to the full glow of the light of Jesus in your situation.

Likewise, it is not possible for God to reign and sorrow rule over your life simultaneously because Psalms 61:11 says your joy is full in His presence. In Luke 7:11-15, a widow lost her son and was full of sorrow and grief, but when she contacted our God, her sorrow turned into her greatest joy. What is that sorrow that is challenging the fullness of your joy today? In the name of Jesus, sorrow, pack your load and go now! In addition, our God cannot reign with failure at the same time because He is the Almighty (Psalms 91:11). After Peter failed all night long, our God entered his boat and failure was terminated permanently. Have you been battling with failure at school or work? An end has come to failure in your life today! Also Our God and barrenness cannot reign together since Our God can raise children from stones. A 50 year old sister who had never been pregnant before, missed her period and after examination by the doctors, she was told she had attained menopause. Nine months later, menopause became “meno-play” and she delivered a baby. At age 90, when God told Sarah her menopause will become “meno-play” she laughed but her laughter did not stop, because she kept laughing after the baby came (Genesis 18:9-15). Are you trusting God for a baby but the doctors have said menopause has set in? Do not worry, it is only a pause and if you press that button, it will begin to play again. The Lord is pressing the button and that pause is released into play today. Nine months from today you shall embrace your baby!

PRAYER POINT:

Every good development in my life currently experiencing a pause, Father, press the “play” button today.

Open Heavens Devotional: LOVE & MERCY ARE SEEDS – Wednesday, June 20, 2012 By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. Proverbs 11:17

Read: Psalms 103:11-13

Bible in one year: 1 Timothy 4-6

God is abundant in love and his love is wonderful. There is a generic love of God and the special love of God. John 3:16 speaks of the generic love of God for mankind. Every man born into this world is a recipient of this love, whether this love is accepted and appreciated is a personal matter for individuals. It is this generic love that makes Him send his sun and rain on all men- good and evil. Our Lord Jesus spoke about this love inMatthew 5:43-45. This love is not dependent on the action of the other party neither does it demand reciprocity. Beyond the generic love however is the special love of God. To partake of His special love, you must first acknowledge His generic love and accept its gift as outlined in John 3:16. This love can only be accessed by loving and believing in Jesus who is the recipient of His special love.

For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that l came out from God. John 16:27    

His special love therefore is conditional and demands reciprocity. He said in Proverbs 8:17

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall fine me.

The more God’s favourites love God, the more God loves them in return. Are you a recipient of His general love or a partaker of His special love? How much do you love God? Do you rise up early or at midnight to seek His face, praise and fellowship with Him? May you reap His superfluous love this season.

God also gives mercy. God’s mercy is great towards those who fear Him. Psalms 103:11 says:

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

This means, the level of mercy you enjoy from God is a function of your fear of Him. Believers who do not fear God will not receive much of His mercy. If you truly fear and love Him, he can extend His mercy even beyond you (1 Chronicles 17:11-13). In addition,Matthew 5:7 says mercy follows the law of reciprocity. When you show mercy, you will have a harvest of mercy. If you fail to show mercy to others, you may soon run out of mercy yourself. Proverbs 11:17 says if you show mercy to others, you are only doing yourself a world of good. That means each time you refuse to be merciful to your neighbour, you hurt yourself. How merciful are you?

KEY POINT:

If you get more of judgements than mercy, it is most likely because you are indebted in mercy. Sow mercy to all who have hurt you.

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