Open Heavens Daily Devotional Written By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic:- GOD’S WATCHMAN – Thursday June 30th 2016

Memorise: Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2nd Timothy 4:2

Read: Ezekiel 33:7-9,

7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

MESSAGE

As a watchman over the souls of men, it is our responsibility to preach the Word. What word? The Word of life; the Truth that sets a person free from the bondage of sin. Today, there is a scarcity of the Word of God in some quarters. We have been given the mandate to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to unbelievers. But it is unfortunate that many are not carrying out this instruction. There are ministers of the gospel who are preaching other things outside the Word of God. Because all men will stand before the judgment seat of the Almighty God, it is imperative that we proclaim the life-saving gospel to them.

We are to preach the Word and the Word alone. We are not to preach the theologies and philosophies of men. We are not to preach the ideals of the western world, but the living Word of God. There are people living in sin today because the watchmen are no longer at their duty posts to reprove them. The Word God is not what you preach when it is reprove them. The Word of God is not what you preach when it is convenient for you alone. Necessity is laid on us all to continue to reprove and rebuke sinners and encourage them to embrace the path that leads to life and godliness.

We live in a world where people are no longer content with the Word of God, they have abandoned the Word of life and they are searching for fables. They are like sheep in search of a meal that will not profit them. God’s Word is the wisdom of God for humanity. The problem with the present day Church is a lack of balanced spiritual diet for the growth of the flock. Potentially sound believers are not sound after all because they lack the wherewithal to grow to maturity despite the fact that they are genuine seekers of the truth.

We should take time to examine the level of pollution in the Church today by the modern and post-modern philosophers who have turned themselves to Bible scholars, thus, misleading the people of faith with their power of logic, oratory and academic tenacity. We need God’s watchmen to put an end to the scarcity of truth in all our assemblies. We need to constantly remind ourselves that the thoughts of western civilisation should not be superior to the Word of God. As watchmen, we need to keep people informed about the correct knowledge of the Word of God.

We need to constantly remind ourselves of the beauty of Christian living as the best way of life. We must cast down imaginations and every high knowledge that exalts against the knowledge of God and not allow heresies to thrive in the body of Christ. Your role in the church should put an end to the famine of the Word of God. Don’t join those who only make noise and appeal to the emotions of people with the mind of leading them to hell. To be a watchman unto the souls of men is a divine mandate that must be carried out with urgency.

The voice of the watchman must be clear and distinct so that the people that God wants to reach through His voice can hear the warning for the hour. If you want to serve God, serve Him with all of your heart. Let your path be straight. Always be ready to change when there is a need for it. You must be a good example to your hearers. You must be a fire brand for the Lord.

Prayer Point

Father, help me do the work of an Evangelist with diligence.

Bible In A Year:

Acts 14:1-28; Acts 15:1-41; Acts 16:1-15; Song of Solomon 4:1-8

Chaos In Maryland Axis, Ikorodu As KAI Officials Chase Hawker To Death (Photos)

Chaos at MARYLAND axis on IKORODU ROAD, after a hawker being pursued by KAI officials was crushed to death by a trailer. People attacking BRT Buses along the road. BRT Buses are being smashed and the policemen are already around the vicinity . more photos below;

Man Brutally Murdered In Ojido, Ekiti, Body Parts Cut Off (Disturbing Photo)

According to a Facebook user Aanu Albert Aluko who posted the picture this morning.

He reported that the amputated body was found at OJIDO area of the State capital, Ado Ekiti.

He also said there are a lot of insecurity, kidnapping, Hunger and unrest currently in the state.

Hearthrow Airport Reacts To Burna Boy’s Arrival In London.

The “rockstar” shared the news few days after he had an episode with his alleged “supposed to be” baby mama, that he’s had his travel ban uplifted and that the country should be expecting him soon!

Burna Boy is now finally heading to the UK, after he was banned for 5 years thanks to him being allegedly involved in a murder case that saw him go to jail.

Heading on to London for his 25th birthday, which holds this weekend, July 2nd, he shared on Twitter that his fans over there should anticipate his arrival.

Hearthrow Airport reacted to his arrival announcement via the thread below;

Danku Must Sign An Undertaking That He Will Not Take My Life – Oritsefemi

For some time now, the internet has been awash with details of the familiar feud and manipulations between one-time partners in the music business, Oritsefemi Majemite Ekele and Yusuf Adepitan aka Ijoba Danku.

The epic back and forth saw both men calling each other out on social media platforms with alleges and accusations hurled at themselves.

Danku had previously granted an exclusive interview where he brought the person of Oritsefemi to debacle.

This was right after Oritsefemi publicly declared his intent to arrest Danku and his mother. It seems as if he finally made good on his word as Danku was arrested Sunday night of June 26 at a social event.

Danku was picked off the red carpet at the event by officers of the law stationed to the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos.

Oritsefemi who was once managed under the Danku-led platform, MSN Gang, revealed he had been able to recover some of his personal items that were confiscated as a result of their feud.

He however still claimed that Danku embezzled his personal funds, which he’s yet to recover.

His lawyers have petitioned the bank to release Danku’s account statement from where they can proceed with verifying these alleges.

Oritsefemi also claimed Danku had made a threat to his life and has requested that he sign an undertaking that clearly states he won’t harm him. In his words, “He has a lot of people around him and I do not deal with criminals.

He will have to sign an undertaking that he will not take my life because he has been threatening me and I appreciate my life.”

Although Danku has since been released, no statement/response has been officially put out from his camp in this regard.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Written By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic:- DANCING UNTO THE LORD – Wednesday June 29th 2016

Memorise: Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Psalms 150:4

Read: Psalms 150:1-6, (KJV)

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

MESSAGE

There are many people who think that it is only when they pray to God that help comes down. The greatest victories that the children of Israel experienced manifested in an atmosphere of praise. There is always a point where you don’t know what to do again, especially when you have done all you can. This is the time when you should begin to dance to the Lord and praise Him.

Paul and Silas were unjustly thrown into the prison, when they did not know what to do next, they turned to praise. The next moment, all the doors leading into the prison flung open, not for them to escape, but for the people to know the potency of the God they were praising. Are you in prison? Do you think there is something the enemy has stolen from you? Have you just lost something very precious to you? Have you just received a sack letter or a negative medical report? Whatever your case is, just begin to dance before the Lord. This is a way of committing God to rise on your behalf.

The moment you begin to dance in the midst of your situation and circumstances, you are simply telling the whole world that you are not a victim. You are provoking God to action and when He rises on your behalf; you become the talk of the town. There are some people who cannot mind their business, they are always wondering why people dance the way they dance. When they see a rich man forgetting his wealth and dancing before His Maker, they continue to wonder why the man has forgotten who he is. The question is who are you before the Almighty God? You are nothing. If we remove God from your life, there is nothing else to see.

 David understood this and he danced and praised God. Dancing shows gratitude to the Almighty God. Dancing is loaded with blessings, when we dance unto the Lord; He turns our mourning into joy. There are people who only dance when the Lord has given them a testimony to share, but those who understand better will continue to dance even before the arrival of their miracles.

When you dance before God and you praise Him with the whole of your heart, you will begin to enjoy divine favour and there will be a divine acceleration of your place of celebration. When you praise God, all your enemies become silenced because your dance will provoke God to rise in your defence.

It is not the dance of everyone that God will rise for. It is only the dance of those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Sin is the only thing that can stop Him from rising on your behalf because He is too pure to behold iniquity.

Prayer Point

Father, please remove everything that will stop You from rising on my behalf.

Bible In A Year:

Acts 12:6-25; Acts 13:1-52; Song of Solomon 3:1-11

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Written By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic:- IN JESUS’ NAME – Tuesday June 28th 2016

Memorise: If you ask any thing in my name I will do it. John 14:14

Read: Philippians 2:9-11,

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

MESSAGE

The Name of Jesus is God’s password for answered prayers. There is something very unique about the Name of Jesus. It carries so much power and authority. It is not just a Name like other names; it is a seal of authority that commands results for the children of God. There are several reasons why the Name of Jesus is very distinct. The moment you put the Name to work, things are bound to yield to your request. At the mention of the Name of Jesus, there is a release of immeasurable miracles.

A believer that has an understanding of this will enjoy the boundless riches that the power in the Name of Jesus can perform in the lives of those who commit the Name to action.

“If you ask anything in my name, I will do it” John 14:14

This promise to the apostles was to reassure them that whatever they requested within the will of the Lord would always be granted.

The Name of Jesus is the only medium of communication with the Father. At the mention of that Name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess; Jesus is the door to every breakthrough in life. Every sinner comes to the Father through Him; He is the door into wealth, health and well-being. The Name of Jesus is the door to protection from all the evils and troubles of life.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

The Name of Jesus is the door into every rest, because He said and is still saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Today, I decree into the life of a user of this devotional, there will be rest for you in every area you have experienced trouble in Jesus’ name. The power in the Name of Jesus can deliver you from any form of sickness, infirmity or problem. Cancer disappears at the mention of the Name of Jesus, the blind receive their sight through the Name. The power in the Name of Jesus can raise whatever is dead in your life, because death has no legal right to take away any child of God prematurely. I decree that in the Name of Jesus, you shall not die but live long to fulfil all that God has planned for you.

For this Name to work for you, you must surrender to the lordship of Jesus. We live in a time when all men should confess Jesus as Lord and submit to His will. The same Name that is capable of doing all that we can ever request is the same Name that will judge the world. A time is coming when it will be too late to submit to the Name. Let the fear of God and the love of God be your primary motivator for life. Whatever motivates the request you make to God will determines if your prayers will be answered or not. The angels of God also move towards the direction in which the Name is being mentioned in spirit and in truth, so as to receive orders on someone’s behalf. 

Prayer Point

Jesus, let the power in Your Name set me free.

Bible In A Year:

Acts 10:1-48; Acts 11:1-30; Acts 12:1-5; Song of Solomon 2:8-17

Ortisefemi Takes Feud With Ex-Manager To The Next Level, Got Him Arrested

Oritsefemi has arrested his former manager, Danku with real names as Yusuf Adepitan. Danku was arrested last night on the red carpet of a comedy show ‘Pencil Unbroken’ at the Muson Centre.

It will be recalled that Oritsefemi had accused his former manager of swindling him of some undisclosed amount of money and also making away with one of his SUVs. In an interview however, Danku denied the allegations saying, himself and his family made Oritsefemi who he is today, as he was a nobody when they met, and his mom also backed up the story when she granted an interview to a media house saying they made the singer.

Oritsefemi had however promised to get him arrested shortly after the whole saga, but Danku hasn’t been in sight for a long time. He however succeeded last night.

You will also recall that only weeks ago, a Kaduna based club owner had accused Danku and his new artiste, Rayce of swindling him thousands of naira for a show they never attended. Over to the police now….

Lionel Messi Set To Retire From International Football After Copà America Loss

 

Lionel Messi told reporters after Argentina’s Copa America Centenario final loss to Chile on penalty kicks that he is retiring from the national team. Sunday night, Messi said that after so many missed chances, he is ready to step away.

Messi was Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer during Copa America Centenario. He spoke out about problems with the Argentina football federation, but did not bring that up when he told reporters of his decision to quit international soccer.

He said:

“The national team is over for me. That’s four finals (lost), it’s not for me,” Messi told reporters after losing his third final in as many years. “It’s a made decision, I think.”

Argentina lost to Chile in penalty kicks on Sunday night.

Argentina lost to Chile in penalties in the 2015 Copa America and lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final. They also lost to Brazil in the 2007 final.

Culled From: Foxsports.com

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Written By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic:- GOOD PARENTHOOD – Monday June 27th 2016

Memorise: And ye fathers, provoke not your Children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, (KJV)

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

MESSAGE

Effective parenting must be properly planned if you will be really rewarded by God at the end. There are many people today who are leaving the responsibilities of parenting to strangers, and at the end of the day, the children also turn out to be strangers. Godly parents do not leave their responsibilities to chance; they make deliberate sacrificial choices, having an expected end in mind.

Today, it is increasingly becoming very difficult to raise godly children because Western culture and ideas have infiltrated our background. God is longing for fathers who will love and care for the home. God is longing for mothers who will help the children become the best that God wants them to be. One of the people I will eternally be grateful to God for is my mother. She did a great job on me, she would never allow me gallivant around like others were doing.

There is always a need for parents to re-adjust their lives in order to accommodate the demands of their children. Most men in the world do not understand the unique role that God wants them to play in the home and this is why you see all kinds of children today, who are causing problems all over the world. Parenting must be intentional, no good act of parenting happens by accident. There is always a price to pay.

Who is helping you to nurture your child today? Who is responsible for the growth of your children? It is the mandate of God for parents to produce righteous and godly offspring within the context of marriage. The nation of Israel was in trouble because they had abandoned their covenant with God. They were engaged in ungodly practices that were disrupting God’s plan for their children. Every parent who loves God should be concerned about how to go about raising godly children who will be great vessels of honour in the hands of God. Don’t allow your children to follow the instructions of the world system that contradicts the Word of God.

God is assuring parents that when they train their children in the right way, they will serve God for ever and they will give peace to them. There are many parents who do not know peace as a result of the trauma their children are bringing to them. There are parents who have been defrauded by their children. Parents are to train their children to possess good characters and godly behaviour.

Children should be exposed to the wisdom of righteous living; however the father should not become a tyrant or a dictator in the home. There is nothing good in creating fear and anger in your children just because you want them to know that you are in charge. Every child should have a loving relationship with their parents. You have to open the lines of communication with them, so that they can share the challenges of the different phases of their lives with you and with this, you can guide them through the Word of God and you will be amazed at how they will respond to the love of God.

Key Point

You owe it to God and your children to be a good parent.

Bible In A Year:

Act 9:1-33; Songs of Solomon 2:1-7

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Written By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic:- JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST –Sunday June 26th 2016

Memorise: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Romans 8:16

Read: Romans 8:14-17, (KJV)

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

MESSAGE

As joint heirs with Christ Jesus, we are to live according to the direction of the Spirit of God because we are the children of God. This will involve having absolute faith in God. It is only those who have submitted to the will of God that can be identified as joint heirs with Christ. Those who allow the flesh and human emotions to rule over them cannot be called the children of God. As joint heirs with Christ, it is Christ that determines the direction of our lives.

As joint heirs, we have tremendous privileges. We have been adopted by Jesus to have glorious experiences in life. The implication of this is that all that God makes available to Jesus can be equally accessible to us. This is why you need to have a closer relationship with Him, because it is the extent of your relationship with Him that determines your placement in life.

“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God” Psalms 92:13

You can be anything you want to be before the Almighty God. You can step beyond the level of being called a servant to becoming a son. Sons have tremendous opportunities that servants don’t enjoy. When you are a son to Jesus, you can be sure that all His goodness and mercy shall follow you, because those are part of your eternal rights in Him.

Jesus is the original king maker. While others may be reigning, He will allow you to rule. While others are struggling to occupy positions, He may just choose you to become relevant in the scheme of things. This we saw in the life of Daniel. Daniel was never a king, in fact, he witnessed the reign of three rulers, yet, he was the one calling the shots. He had access to divine and hidden secrets of the Most High God.

While in Egypt, Pharaoh was the king, but Joseph was the one in charge. Even in Potiphar’s house, everyone was living at the mercy of Joseph. Jesus can make you reign over affairs of men; this is why you must not allow anything to stand between you and Jesus Christ. If you have gone astray, He is waiting to take away your filth as a sinner and cleanse you to present you as a saint.

Calling Abba father implies you trust in Him, your reliance upon Him and the fact that you seek your direction from Him. With this, we will have the witness of the Holy Spirit that we are truly the sons of God. We are children of covenant and every covenant of God concerning you shall be fulfilled in Jesus’ name. No matter what we go through, we must never deviate from Him because if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him.  

Action Point

Are you a son or a servant?

Bible In A Year:

Acts 8:1-40; Acts 9:1-33; Songs of Solomon 1:11-17; Songs of Solomon 2:1-7

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Written By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic:- CONTENTED? – Friday June 24th 2016

Memorise: And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1st Timothy 6:8

Read: Ecclesiastes 5:10-12, (KJV)

10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

MESSAGE

Lack of contentment is a sin because it is a sign of ingratitude to the Almighty God. There are many people who focus so much on what God is doing in the lives of other people and ignore what God is doing in their own lives. If you don’t want to end abruptly, do not give room for greed. Do not envy others. Envy is a sin.

Contentment means a life that is satisfied with the faithfulness of God. It is to be delighted with what God is doing in your own life, even as you appreciate what He is doing in the life of others. A contented person is someone who is thrilled and captivated with the grace of God upon his life. When God is on your side, it doesn’t matter what your present level may be, you can be rest assured that your tomorrow will be much better.

You need to remember that it is only the blessings of the Lord that makes rich and adds no sorrows. Instead of envying others, why not just talk to God and ask Him for what you need. He says whatever you ask in the Name of Jesus will be given to you. All of God’s blessings have their seasons. You need to appreciate the phase you are in before you can move to the next phase. There are many people who have not done anything with the opportunities given to them and they are wishing for the opportunities of others around them.

If you don’t learn to be contented, you cannot be a happy child of God.

If you will not wait for the mangoes on your tree to get ripe, you are never going to enjoy them. I know people who are so materialistic in nature; these people live in dept simply because they want to be envied by others. Never live your life for anybody. Appreciate what God has given you and continue to trust Him, and work towards a better life.

Discontentment is an evil spirit that needs to be dealt with. It is a manifestation of the flesh and it should be crucified. This is why you need to know that it is not what you have that determines your state of happiness, happiness is a function of the mind. I know people who are very wealthy and do not have peace, and it is amazing that all around us, there are people who do not have much yet are very happy.

One of the reasons why people lack contentment is that they always compare situations. Whenever people focus on what they don’t have, they become discontented. Be contented with what God has given you. That is not to mean that you can’t ask for something better, but it must not be from the point of ingratitude.

Children of God should not be in any worldly competition. It is all vanity. There is nothing as pleasing as living a simple life. There is nothing wrong with wealth. It becomes wrong when one has made the accumulation of wealth his sole purpose in life.  

Key Point

Contentment gives peace of mind.

Bible In A Year:

Acts 4:1-37; Acts 5:1-42; Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Written By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic:- A WORTHY OFFERING – Thursday June 23rd 2016

Memorise: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2nd Corinthians 9:7

Read: Luke 21:1-4, (KJV)

1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

MESSAGE

Out of her poverty, this widow gave all she had. Those who lack understanding can never fathom why this woman had to give all she had. She did it because she was grateful to God for the salvation for her soul. For all that must come to Jesus, must express their appreciation for the salvation of their souls. Those who find it difficult to give a worthy offering to God are usually those who believe that it is the effort of their hands that has earned them all that they have. But this is not true because it is the blessing of the Lord that maketh rich and addeth no sorrow.

There are people who are so selfish, that they prefer to consume their wealth upon their lusts rather than meet a desperate need even when it is so glaring. The widow simply gave out of her heart of gratitude for all that the Lord had done in her life. Every opportunity we have to give to God is an opportunity to respond to the grace of God which is extended to us for our enjoyment.

“Freely ye have received, freely give” Matthew 10:8b

This is why I am always uncomfortable whenever we are in a meeting and someone is asked to coordinate the collection of the offering, and he is spending so much time motivating the people to give. You lack the understanding of the law of harvest if you have to be cajoled, begged, motivated, and sermonized before you give to God.

If you appreciate the grace of God upon your life irrespective of what you may be going through, you will realise that an opportunity to give is an opportunity to be blessed in return. There should not be a reluctance or feeling of being compelled before we give to God. Every time we give, what we give may leave our hands physically but it doesn’t leave our lives.

If you want a breakthrough in your life, there is a commitment that must be made on your part. There are many people who bring offerings before the Almighty God, and not all of them are received by God. God reserves the right to accept or reject your offerings. Can you imagine how it would feel if you decide to give a gift to your father or mother and on getting there, you are told to pocket your gift. This would cause you to feel bad and begin to ask for mercy. If this can happen with your earthly parents, how much more your heavenly Father who is the source of your blessings.

If you are faithful in giving God a worthy offering, you will never lack. Don’t just give because you are told to give, give because you have an understanding about giving. Let Him know that you acknowledge the fact that He is the source and sustainer of your life. As you develop this attitude of gratitude, you will see new jobs, lucrative contracts, and undeserved promotion coming your way.

Key Point

Your offering may leave your hand but it will never leave your life.

Bible In A Year:

Acts 1:1-26; Acts 2:1-47; Acts 3:1-26; Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Written By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic:- ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE – Wednesday June 22nd 2016

Memorise: I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

Read: Isaiah 66:1-5, (KJV)

1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

MESSAGE

Every disciple of Jesus Christ must realize that their bodies have become a living sacrifice to God. This should be the natural response of every spiritually minded individual in appreciation to the grace of salvation in Christ Jesus. No doubt, God’s grace was poured out for our salvation; our response should be obediently complying with the instructions of the One who had given His life for the remission of our sins.

There is so much deposited in us to be effective weapons in God’s hand for this generation, but the problem is that we have to remove those little foxes in our lives. Men and women who have not been purged cannot give acceptable sacrifices unto the Lord. From the scriptures, we understand that the reason the offerings of the Levites were not accepted by God was because there were issues they needed to settle with Him.

Until we are purified and sanctified, our sacrifices of offering and service in the vineyard will not receive heaven’s attention. What are those things or who are those people in your life that have made your life unstable in Christ.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age” Titus 2:11-12

We are to offer our lives in sacrificial worship and service to Him. As a vessel in the hand of God, we should no longer center our thoughts and actions on those things that pertain to this world. We should no longer engage in matters that will divert our attention from eternity. Our God is holy and He expects us to be holy. For our sacrifices to be acceptable before Him, we have to be like Him in every sphere of our lives. When you are holy, miracles will begin to happen in your life and the power of God will begin to flow in you and through you to other lives. This will enable us to continue the mission of destroying the works of the devil.

Many Christians are unable to access the reward of a new life because they are still tied to the culture of this world. They are still entangled with the ideas, principles and concepts of this world, and this has denied them the opportunity to manifest as children of God. You have to make a deliberate choice to be useful and acceptable before your Maker. Remove everything that has the ability to deprive you of your spiritual stature.

Prayer Point

Father, make me a vessel unto honour in Your hands.

Bible In A Year:

Esther 8:1-17; Esther 9:1-32; Esther 10:1-3; Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Written By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic:- REMEMBER ME, O GOD –Tuesday June 21st 2016

Memorise: Remember me, O my God concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. Nehemiah 13:14

Read: Esther 6:1-10, (KJV)

1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

5 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.

6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?

7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,

8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:

9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.

MESSAGE

There are battles to fight here on earth, don’t let anyone ever deceive you that there are no battles. There is nothing as good and pleasant as when you commit all these battles and obstacles into the hand of God. God is always ready to take action when we report all our enemies to Him. There are some people who enjoy carrying our evil acts against the children of God for no reason. Some people just cannot stand you being blessed by the God you serve.

Today’s passage reveals the conspiracy of Human against the anointed of the Lord. I decree that all conspiracies against your progress shall be scattered in Jesus’ name. God needs to always expose your enemies to you so that you can know how to handle them. The king could not sleep because God wanted him to remember someone who had saved his life from conspiracy. When God remembers you, your long years of mourning shall turn joy. When God remembers you, the stagnation of many years ceases in a day. One truth the children of God must continue to remember is that it takes divine remembrance to daily experience the deliverance of God.

One person that enjoyed the remembrance of God was Hannah. For so many years, she lived in barrenness, but her day of remembrance came and the Lord put an end to her years of barrenness. If you want God to remember you in your own situation, there is a role for you to play. You have to call His attention to what you are going through. Mordecai called the attention of Esther to the source of their problem and Esther called the attention of the king and the rest is history. Every closed mouth equals a closed destiny. Don’t allow your mouth to be closed. When Hannah got to Shiloh, she made her petition to God and her request was granted. There is a reader of this devotional, as you call upon the Lord, He will give you permanent rest in Jesus’ name.

A life of holiness is a requirement for anyone who wants to call upon the Lord. If you are living in sin, there is no way God will hear you. You have to surrender your life totally to God, and just like Esther did, fast, pray and take practical steps under the divine guidance of God concerning every challenge you are going through. If a human king could ask for what could be done to the person in whom he had delight in, you can imagine what Jesus will do for you if you seek Him. 

Prayer point

Father, please remember me for good.

Bible In A Year:

Esther 4:1-17; Esther 5:1-14; Esther 6:1-14; Esther 7:1-10; Ecclesiastes 10:8-20

Stop Waiting For ‘White’ Collar Jobs, Start Recharge Card Business, NYSC DG Urges Corps Members

The Director General of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, Sulyman Kazaure, has urged corps members to stop waiting for ‘white’ collar jobs after the service year, urging them to engage in legitimate businesses for survival.

Instead of waiting endlessly for jobs that would not come, Kazaure advised unemployed graduates to sell top-up cards (recharge cards) for telecommunications firms and make a living.

The NYSC boss gave the advice in Ebonyi on Saturday when he visited the Orientation Camp in Afikpo, Ebonyi State.

The DG, who warned the Batch A, Stream 2 corps members against perpetrating acts of corruption in their places of assignment, urged them to learn a skill or two during the period of their orientation course in camp.

Mr. Kazaure, a Brigadier General, said “Don’t wait for ‘white’ collar jobs, even if it is recharge card or even buying and selling. Do any available legitimate business no matter how small it is. I don’t want my children, after service, to say there is no job. Create jobs for yourself.

“To you currently in camp, seize this opportunity and learn one or two skills. It will help you a lot tomorrow. I wish you a successful service year”.

TRAGIC!!! Car Carrying Woman In Labor Involved In An Accident | Wife, Husband, Brother & Others All Dead

A car conveying a woman in labor, her husband (the driver) and the brother to the husband has been involved in a ghastly accident, leaving all occupants of the car dead.

The accident that occurred around noon today, left rescuers and sympathizers in shock due to the gory scene of the accident.

As the time of filing this report, members of FRSC were present in the scene of the accident conveying the corpses of the deceased in their van to the nearest hospital.

See Photos below:-

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Written By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic:- PREACH THE WORD – Monday June 20th 2016

Memorise: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 2nd Timothy 4:2

Read: 2nd Timothy 4:1-4, (KJV)

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

MESSAGE

This is part of the final charge by Apostle Paul to his spiritual son, Timothy. Timothy needed some courage to fulfil his calling as an apostle, and Paul reaffirmed to him the fact that if he would be a useful evangelist in the hands of God, there was no better time than that moment to make full proof of his calling by preaching the undiluted Word of God.

Divine utterance of the Word of God is a tool anyone who desires to have a profitable ministry must have. There are many preachers today who have turned the pulpit to an entertainment platform. You see a lot of sinners feeling very comfortable in such churches because the Word of God has been watered down. The 21st century Church is no longer interested in reproving and rebuking her members, the preachers are after saying only what the members want to hear.

The Word of God is a hidden truth that is usually beyond human understanding. There are some who sweat profusely jumping from one point to another in the name of preaching, and at the end, when you ask the listeners what they gained; you will be amazed at the kind of response you get, it is the Word of God that we are charged to preach, not the theologies and philosophies of men. The Word of God alone can liberate the sinful soul and bring newness of life to those who hear it. It is through the Word of God alone that those living in sin can be reproved of their sins. It is the Word that encourages those who are faithful to remain in the faith.

In this time when fake teachers and heretic preachers abound, there is the need to reaffirm our commitment to preach the correct doctrines of God. It doesn’t matter how many ‘preachers’ conjure unscriptural sermons, we have to ensure we counter their heresies with the correct Word of God. It is the Word of God that determines your place in the scheme of things.

The Word of God is forever settled. It does not grow old and you can never improve on it. The Word brings back to life everything that is dead in the lives of people. I want you to embrace the Word like never before, because it is the Word that delivers the benefits of God to you.

“And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” 2nd Timothy 3:15

God’s Word communicates God’s wisdom and peace into your life. The moment you become a doer of the Word of God, you become feared and respected by the devil and his demons.

Prayer Point

Father, let Your Word be active in my life in Jesus name.

Bible In A Year:

Esther 1:1-22; Esther 2:1-23; Esther 3:1-15; Ecclesiastes 9:13-18; Ecclesiastes 10:1-7