Open Heavens Daily Devotional By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 

Topic: MIRACLE-PRODUCING OBEDIENCE – Monday November 21st 2016

Memorise:

His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. John 2:5

Bible Reading : John 2:1-11 (KJV) 

1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

MESSAGE

Many people do not know the secret of daily miraculous living. They think it has to do with strange things or occultism. Little do they know that a life of obedience enhances the supernatural intervention that results in miraculous events. It is unfortunate that even some children of God are missing out this truth as well. In our Bible reading for today, we can see the confirmation of the title of today’s devotional reading. 

There was a marriage ceremony in Cana of Galilee and our Lord Jesus, His family and disciples were present. There came a need that only God could meet. The mother of Jesus Christ knew that the Representative of God was on ground to do what was humanly impossible. So, she approached the Miracle Worker but not without a seemingly negative reaction. It is interesting to note that despite our Lord’s reaction, His mother gave a profound instruction to the waiters. “…Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” (John 2:5). Afterwards, Jesus Christ instructed the servants to fill the empty water pots with water and asked them to go ahead and serve it as wine. I decree to someone using this devotional; whatever potential shame the enemies are planning concerning you, God will intervene with a miracle that will nullify it.

There are lessons we must quickly learn from this story; God always involves man in the process of miracle-working events. When man cooperates with God through obedience, he experiences the miraculous. Naaman said that his expectation was that the man of God will come out and touch him. Howbeit, he was disappointed; he was to be part of the process. He had to go and dip himself in the Jordan River seven times before he could experience the miracle he sought for. He almost missed it when he refused to comply with the instruction of the prophet of God. 

 

 

Another lesson we must learn from this story is that whenever you are trusting God for a miracle, you must not only be ready to receive instruction from God, you must also be attentive to the details of the instruction. After you get the message right, you must then go ahead and carry out the instruction. The servants indeed fetched the water; they also served it as wine under the instruction of our Lord. One may think it is simple to do what the servants did. They took the risk of being accused of playing on the intelligence of the people that came to the ceremony. 

Beloved, perfect obedience will change your story, just be willing to do whatever God asks you to do. 

Prayer Point

Father, give me the spirit that trembles at your Word and does whatever You want me to do.

Bible In A Year:

Genesis 37:12-36; Genesis 38:1-30; Genesis 39:1-23; Psalms 106:32-48

Open Heavens Daily Devotional By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic: ETERNAL LIFE STARTS HERE – Wednesday November 16th 2016

Memorise:

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition: that the scripture might be fulfilled. John 17:12

Bible Reading : John 17:9-12 (KJV)

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

MESSAGE

In our Bible reading, Jesus explained that those that the Father gave to Him have been safely kept and there was none that was missing except the son of perdition. Children of perdition are those who revolt against the teachings and guidance of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ kept the disciples in the faith and His labour over them was not in vain. 

Today, we see the evidences of that investment through the spread of the gospel from one nation to another. This is possible because of the labour of the Apostles who were first commissioned to spread this good news.

When you follow Jesus through and through, He will keep you from falling into the persecution of your enemies. They will try all their best to trap you, but the Almighty God will always deliver you from their traps.  One truth we must always remember is that we are weak and we cannot keep ourselves. This is why it is important to be a partner with Jesus. Once you leave your life in His care, you can be sure that your blessing is guarantee in Him. The Almighty God will keep you in Jesus’ name.

There are sons of perdition that will refuse to be kept by Jesus Christ. They will always intentionally disobey the instructions of the father. They are usually referred to as rebellious children who will not allow their lives to be governed by the truth in the Word of God. When a person who has been in God decides to forget his creator and also refuses the assembly of the brethren, such a person is already lost. It is not good for one to be left alone. Demas was left alone because he had given his heart to the world. Lot’s wife looked back and she became forgotten. The sons of Eli did not fulfil their destiny despite the fact that they had all the opportunities to succeed in life. 

Children of perdition are those who have not said goodbye to sin. They are still living in sin and sin is a destroyer not a builder. Sin separates people from the blessings of God; it does not attract them to the place of God. At salvation, God comes inside of you and turns your journey towards perdition to the path of eternal life. This means that you and God are on the same page, and you are running away from those things that will affect His relationship with you. 

If you resist His will, you will not be a partaker of His glory. This is why you have to leave behind all those things hindering you from serving God and surrender all to Him. Judgement is coming; to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Tomorrow may be too late. There is still an opportunity for you to rededicate your life. God rewards those who allow their lives to be guided by Him with pleasant blessings and assurances of security. Those who refuse the government of Jesus have already exposed themselves to the wickedness of this world. You will not miss it in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point

Father let nothing take me away from you in Jesus’ name.

Bible In A Year:

Genesis 27:1-46; Genesis 28:1-220; Psalms 104:19-35

Open Heavens Daily Devotional By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic: FACING TRIALS OF FAITH? – Monday November 14th 2016

Memorise:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Bible Reading : Hebrews 11:36-40 (KJV)

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

MESSAGE

There are several challenges that will confront us as we progress in the journey of faith, but none of them will dominate us. As a child of God, when you pass through the fire, the mighty man in battle has promised that it will not burn you.

At one point or the other, your faith will be tried; your love for God will be tested. There will be persecutions of all kinds. Because of your belief in Christ, people will say all kinds of things against you. There will be false accusations despite your level of commitment to your assignment. No matter how good your intentions may be, sometimes, they may be spoken of in an evil way. Many times these tribulations, trials and persecutions will come from quarters you least expect. You should be bothered because the same people who hailed the triumphant entry of Jesus were the same people, who said to Pilate, crucify him. Have you been persecuted because of your faith and your holy living? 

I congratulate you, because you are fulfilling your part of the Christian calling. You have to know that the hostility of the world against believers in Christ Jesus is a transferred hostility. We are not the first set of people to be hated; the world hates us because they hated Jesus Christ. Despite the innocence of the young shepherd boy, king Saul attempted to kill him several times. 

You need to know that even in the household of faith, there are king Sauls. They are ready to kill you, not because you have committed any crime, but because they are uncomfortable with your standard of righteous living. On several occasions, Jesus Christ, before his final persecution on earth, was persecuted by the people listening to Him in the synagogue. They did not like the way He was preaching with so much authority. And they always rose up against His good acts. What should you do in times of trials, tribulations and persecutions? You must rejoice in the Lord. 

 

 

When Paul was going through persecution, rather than murmur and complain, he fellowshipped. No wonder he could say:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:35, 37

He said this despite the fact that he was beaten with rods, he was stoned, he suffered as shipwreck, and he was kept in the deep prisons. He suffered in the hands of robbers as well as in the hands of his countrymen. False brethren also surrounded him. There were times when situations and circumstances of weariness, hunger, nakedness and the cares of his missionary obligation threatened to discourage him, yet he finished well. You will finish well in Jesus’ name. 

Prayer Point

Father, give me victory over every trial I come across.

Bible In A Year:

Genesis 24:1-67; Psalms 103:11-22

Open Heavens Daily Devotional By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic: WHY YOU NEED JESUS II – Thursday November 10th 2016

Memorise:

The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Bible Reading : Read: John 10:1-10 (KJV)

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door 

into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a 

thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he 

calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, 

and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for 

they know not the voice of strangers.

6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not 

what things they were which he spake unto them.

7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I 

am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the 

sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and 

shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

MESSAGE

The fight against the devil is a fight that you must win. You must make a deliberate decision to keep the devil out of your life. There is nothing good that can come from him.

“The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

 

 

Jesus started categorically here that both Himself and the devil have clear missions. Anyone who is not saved through Jesus is already a victim of the activities and works of the devil. There are many people who have accepted defeat from the devil; they see themselves as being unable to do anything about the activities of the devil in their lives. 

The seed of Christ enables you to overcome the devil in every aspect of life, but you must be on guard against the devil’s activities in your lives. Thieves are always after treasures, they bother themselves with things that are valuable and this is why you must keep your life and guard it away from the devil.

Those who think they are enjoying what the devil has to offer are only deceiving themselves. The devil has nothing good to offer. The devil is a thief who comes with the evil intent to steal, kill and destroy. Majorly, he wants to steal the heart and affections of people for God. Deception is the devil’s greatest tool, he is a strategist in deceiving people, this is why the Bible tells us to

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” Ephesians 6:11

It is only in Jesus Christ that you can experience true riches and enjoy the fullness of living. It is only in Christ that there are blessings that have no link to sorrow. Those who do not allow Jesus to have a say in their lives are only destroying themselves, because the devil will put them in total bondage. Those who know the voice of God will follow Him because He will speak peace into all their storms. He will set those that are in captivity free.

The Christian’s number one treasure is salvation. The salvation of your soul is worth more than all the wealth in the world. Jesus teaches us that nothing can be as valuable as the soul and nothing is worth being replaced with your soul. The devil is after the salvation of our souls because thieves are only after treasures.  

The devil would do anything within his power to make us lose our salvation. The challenge is to keep our salvation even if we lose everything else.  

Key Point

Those who assume that the devil is not thief do so at their peril. Be wise.

Bible In A Year:

Genesis 11:10-32; Genesis 12:1-20; Genesis 13:1-18; Genesis 14:1-24;  Psalms 101:1-8