OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY 1 JUNE 2016 THE LORD, MY HEALER

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WEDNESDAY 1 JUNE 2016

THE LORD, MY HEALER

Memorise:

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Read: Exodus 15:26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Message

The New Testament is full of accounts of people who were healed, just to convince us that healing is possible through Christ Jesus. There is so much virtue, glory and power in the name of Jesus. Everyone who had an encounter with that Name or with His person never remained the same, irrespective of the degree of their sicknesses. All things are possible through the name of Jesus (Mathew 19:26). Through the name of Jesus there is so much power to overcome all forms of sickness and infirmities.

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” Philippians 2:9-10

If only you will see that Jesus has paid the whole price for our redemption so that we might be free from all sicknesses, then you can boldly accept the fact that Jesus is the source of life. The Lord Jesus gave to us through salvation; life, health, peace and so much abundance. He Himself took all our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. He is always willing to do things to manifest His Word, and to let us know a measure of the mind of God towards us.

If you are in need of one miracle of healing or the other, or you have been afflicted with all manner of sicknesses, the Lord will show forth His perfect cleansing and healing power in your life. All you need is to have faith in Jesus. Peter and John were helpless and uneducated, but the fact remains that they had been with Jesus and they knew practically what His name was capable of doing. They told the man at the beautiful gate to stand up and walk and the man received his healing immediately. There is someone reading this devotional this morning, it doesn’t matter how helpless or hopeless your medical report has indicated, the Lord will change your story in Jesus’ name. Through the name of Jesus, the incurable can be healed. Through His name, the lame will walk and the blind will see. Through His name, lepers have been miraculously cleansed. In this world of ours, where new diseases are always surfacing and doctors sometimes cannot identify them, you need to rely absolutely on the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. He is able to heal those who are broken hearted and destroy all satanic forces. Through faith in His name, deliverances become a daily occurrence.

“They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:18

By the special grace of God, Jesus Christ had become my personal physician since I came to the knowledge of this truth. This is why every time I have the opportunity to minister to people, I just follow the instructions of my faithful physician and allow Him to glorify Himself. I don’t bother myself about how the healing will take place; I just do as He commands.

One major cause of sickness is sin. If you live a life that is pleasing to God, sickness will never find a place in your body. It doesn’t matter how many people are falling sick around you, the promises of God to keep His children from being affected with what affects others is kept intact.  If you are allowing sin into your life, then you are sending an invitation to sicknesses because sin and sicknesses are related. Repent today and follow the path of life. When we turn back to the Lord, our nations and immediate communities become healed and free from every satanic influence.

Prayer Point:

Father, destroy every root of sickness in my body, soul and spirit in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 12-13 and Ecclesiastes 1:5-11

HYMN 6: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee
Thou wilt find a solace there.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 31 MAY 2016 A GLASS OF WATER?

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

TUESDAY 31 MAY 2016

A GLASS OF WATER?

Memorise:

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark 9:41

Read: James 2:14-18

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Message

The Bible has laid much emphasis on the art of giving, especially to God, the poor, widow, and our neighbours. Galatians 6:9 enjoins us not to be weary in doing good. One good thing we must not be tired of is sowing. To access your greatest financial harvest, continuous, consistent quality sowing is required. Your first seed may open the door to blessings, but keeping that door open requires persistent sowing. Are you already calling it quit with sowing just because you cannot quantify the returns of previous seeds? Don’t! You may be closing the door it took you so much effort to open! In the case of widow of Zarephath, it took the sacrificial cake she gave on meeting Elijah the first day to open her door to abundance. If she had stopped at that, her miracle would have expired long before the end of the famine, but she did not. She kept the door permanently open by making cakes for Elijah for the entire period. Your first seed must have the backing of seeds if you will experience your ultimate financial breakthrough. Some people have pegged their blessings or limited the space through which their blessings come. Mark 9:41 says:

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Another relevant example is King Solomon. His first notable seed was when he sacrificed 1000 cows (1 Kings 3:4-15). This opened the doors of wealth, wisdom, and honour to him. But he did not stop there. In fact, immediately he got up from his revelational dream, he responded to God’s answer by offering more. And he continued and increased his seed. In 1 Kings 8:63, he gave God an offering of 22,000 oxen. Solomon continued to increase in wealth because he sustained his giving. He became so prosperous that they lost count of his wealth. In fact, 1 King 10:24-27 says the whole world sought after the wisdom of Solomon and choice things as silver and cedar become common place in his kingdom.

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? He later concluded that faith without works in dead.”James 2:14

Do you know that like King Solomon, God can bless you to the point that the business idea He gives you could be sought after by the whole world? It is possible for what people consider as priceless treasures to become common place to you. But there is a price you must pay continuously. You must not stop sowing. The door the Lord has opened to you which you were already closing by refusing to sustain your seeds will be kept wide open from today. However, play your part. Like Solomon, continue to increase your seeds.

Prayer point:

Father, please make me a giver and use me to provide solutions to the problems of many in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  2 Chronicles 10-12 and Ecclesiastes 1:1-5

HYMN 6: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee
thou wilt find a solace there.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 30 MAY 2016 ALWAYS ON TIME

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

MONDAY 30 MAY 2016

ALWAYS ON TIME
 
Memorise:

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother
had not died. John 11:21

Read: John 11:21-26

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Message

Situations in life sometimes portray God as being insensitive to human suffering, sorrow and pain. On this account People tend to blame God by asking questions such as, where was God when the bad act was taking place. Why did God not intervene on time? Our memory verse says,

“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
John 11:21

By this statement, she was implying that the damage had been done, if the Lord had really wanted to help the situation, He would have arrived much earlier. But I have good news for you, God is never late, He is always on time. He is omnipresent; He is not bound by human timing. He knows the end from the beginning, He does not sleep or slumber, He can do all things, and forgetfulness is not part of His nature. David was obviously in the spirit when he penned Psalms 102:13 which says:

“Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time of favour her, yea, the set time, is come.”

When talking about favour, generally, there is a time requirement involved. Some are born into favour from their first day on earth. Some enter into favour in their childhood or teen years. Others encounter favour as adults while some experience it at old age. In the same vein, some experience favour in one or two areas of their lives, while for some, when favour comes, it covers every department of their lives. Whether it comes early or later, or covers one or all areas of life, the coming of favour is characterized by a chain of goodies: bountiful joy, breakthroughs, miracles and blessings. In the scriptures, the time of favour has been termed a time of divine remembrance.

In Genesis 30:22-24, we see the case of Rachel. For many years, her womb was closed. There could be several factors responsible for this ranging from biological to divine. Although, her husband loved her very much, his love could not terminate her childlessness. Meanwhile, her sister Leah had become a baby making factory. The anguish of the barren in the midst of fruitful people can best be imagined. Genesis 30:1 says it got to a point Rachel preferred death to the unending embarrassment she was going through. Have you been in a similar situation where your high school pals are gainfully employed, own cars, and live in their personal houses while you are still combing the streets looking for a job? How do you feel when you all have to attend a meeting and everyone cruises in with their brand new cars except you? You may be compelled to keep away from them in order to avoid embarrassment. Don’t despair! Thank God Rachel’s time of favour came and God remembered her. At last, apart from having two children, Joseph, her firstborn, became an Egyptian Prince – ruling over the world. Do you know your time of favour is coming? It is around the corner. God will remember you and could even make you overtake those who started much earlier than you. It may appear as if God forgot you all these years, but your time of divine remembrance have come. Celebrate Jesus as you step into your time of divine favour in Jesus’ name. 

Prayer Point:

Father, let my time of favour come now in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 Chronicles 7:4-9:31 and Proverbs 31:16-31

HYMN 7: HOLY HOLY HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert and art and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY 29 MAY 2015 THE TRIAL OF FAITH

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SUNDAY 29 MAY 2015

THE TRIAL OF FAITH

Memorise:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1 Peter 4:12

Read : 1 Peter 1:1-7

1 PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Message

Faith, by its very nature, must be tried, and the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that Gods character has to be cleared on our own minds. Faith in its actual working out has to go through spells of isolation. Never confuse the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life. Much that we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith in the Bible is faith in God against everything that contradicts Him, I will remain true to God’s character whatever He may do. Through He saly me, yet will I trust Him this is  the most sublime utterance of faith.

Trials of faith are difficult to bear; for they cause heaviness or depression of the mind,( Hebrews 10:32 ). Why art thou cast down, O my soul! And why art thou disquieted within me? Is often the language of a child of God. But ought he ever to be cast down? Ought he not be superior to the trials of life, and to soar above them as on eagles wings? No; Christianity is not Stoicism, and , if a believer does not feel his troubles, there would cease to be such, and it would not affect their purpose and design. While, he does not yield to a spirit of dejection, or allow it to overcome him, he must feel when in the furnace of trial even as did our Lord Himself. In the presence of others, however, he should endeavour to be cheerful, and the most so if he occupies a public position in the church, so that he doesn’t discourage those around him. When Joseph’s brethren appeared before him, he felt deep emotions, and could scarcely restrain himself. He left them, 0therefore, that he might weep in secret before God, and then he returned, relieved  of the oppressive load ( Genesis 43:30-31 ).

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though  some strange thing happened unto you:”
1 Peter 4:12

Trials of faith should be endured because they are temporary. Trials are not supposed to be permanent fixtures in life, they are for a season. A day adversity comes, when darkness intercepts the skies, when the storm sets in on every side, when not a glean of light shines upon the path you tread; and then, perhaps, you hastily concluded that it will always be so. But no; sorrow endures for the night,  but joy comes in the morning. It is only for a while that the trials lasts, and before long there is an opening in the clouds, the Suns bright beams burst through them again, and you are filled with hope and joy. There are some trials, which are life-long on their effects, and can never be forgotten, like a deep wound in the flesh which, though healed, leaves a scar which must be carried to the  grave. But the longest trials, and those which leave the deepest wounds, are only for a season the season of our earthly life, and Ina brighter sphere we shall forget them all, or remember them only as the wounded soldier remembers what he has passed through when he returns victoriously from the field of battle. May you receive strength to bear your trials and to overcome them all in Jesus name.

Prayer Point :

Father, Please don’t let me fail in the trials of life in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 Chronicles 5:2-7:3 and Proverbs 31:1-15

HYMN 7: HOLY HOLY HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert and art and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY 28 MAY 2016 LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SATURDAY 28 MAY 2016

LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE 

Memorise :

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. John 13:14

Read : John 13:12-17

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Message

There is nothing more fulfilling than a life of service. Jesus Christ washed the feet of His disciples to set an example of what leadership is. Jesus Christ being our Lord and Saviour, our master and instructor has proven to us that leadership is not title but service. It is service that show relevance, one may have title and not be relevant in the scheme of things. That should not be heard among the children of God. Even though He was the master,yet, He condescended so low in humility to serve His disciples. This means a leader irrespective of the position he occupies, must never forget that essence of that position is to serve the people that God has entrusted in his care. Every leader must emulate people like Gideon and Abimelech who led by service. Judges 9:48 says:

“And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.”

As ministers of the gospel, we are to show grave, humility and love at every given time. We must serve the interest of those the Lord has put in our trust at every given time. You as a leader should not lord it over people. People should should not obey you simply because of the office you occupy. They should respect you for the value you adding to their lives. Our knowledge of Jesus as the  creator of all things who still stopped low to clean the feet of those people He created should make us think twice. We must be able to go extra mile for physical and spiritual needs of the people we are leading. The Bible demands that whoever will be great should be a servant ( Mathew 20:27 ).

The essence of the anointing of God in your is not for show but for service. Service is a fundamental aspect of leadership. The moment you remove service from your life,there is no room for good leadership. People should see the good example you are showing and praise God for your life. There are people occupying one office or the other and they have become principalities and powers to those they are supposed to serve. They use the instrument of office to oppress others. This is not the example that Jesus set. Invest in people, and they will give you their commitment and loyalty. Value people genuinely, and they will respect you. A true leader is identified by the value he places on those under him. You must labour more than those under you. Apostle Paul was a latecomer but he laboured more than others, and he admonished us to follow in his footstep as he followed Jesus Christ. Leadership is awesome, but you need the wisdom of God to be able to lead well. The Lord will assist you in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Father, let my life be a good example for others to follow.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 Chronicles 1:1-5:1 and Proverbs 30:18-33

HYMN 14: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see his banners go!

Chorus:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Chorus:

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Chorus:

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never ‘gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

Chorus:

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Chorus.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 27 MAY 2016 VENGEANCE IS THE LORDS

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY 27 MAY 2016

VENGEANCE IS THE LORDS

Memorise :

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19

Read : Ezekiel 25:12-14

12 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;

13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.

14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.

Message

Many passages of the Bible reiterate the fact that vengeance belongs to God alone. Because vengeance belongs to the Lord, it is His right to execute it. He said in Romans 12:19, :Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” Deuteronomy 32:35 also says, “To me belongs vengeance.” Even Psalms 94:1 says, “O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs, show thyself”. Gods people are not to avenge themselves; especially when He makes use of them as His Instrument. God must be seen as the one in action, personalities involved should assume the position of an ordinary instrument in the hand of the Almighty. Romans 12:19 says :

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

We as Children of God must never make any move to avenge ourselves under any circumstance. You can be sure that God will surely fight on your behalf according to His word. God will avenge His people upon their adversaries; He will not allow any unrepentant sinner to go unpunished. You must know that God does not want the death of any sinner; therefore, He will make ways for repentance by making a reasonably long period of grace available to sinners and adversaries alike. But you can be sure that at the right time, He will make good His promises to His people, and they will be avenged of their enemies. But, because His mercy endures forever, He will even send several warnings to the enemies to prompt then towards repentance as record in Isaiah 47:3:

“Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.”

But let the enemies not be encouraged by this to continue in wickedness, because God will surely avenge His elect, because they are so near and dear to Him. God has always been a witness to the rage and oppression of the enemies; He is quite listener to the threatening and arrogant boastings of these enemies. It does not please any father to watch his dear children being tormented, beaten,enslaved,burned alive, and killed, before his eyes. We are His beloved; He suffered and died by carrying out the ultimate sacrifice for our sakes. The compassionate and tender heart of a husband toward his betrothed wide cannot be emphasized. Our Heavenly Father is always sharing in our affliction, and bitterness of soul,every time any of His children is being brutalized. God will avenge His own elect to convince the world of how grievous it has been for him to behold all the violence and cruelty wicked men have done unto His own people.

God will avenge His people because the days of the wicked must end, and the days of the saints must begin. Also, because the harvest of the prayers and cries of God’s elect is now ripe. Your deliverance is here, you can begin to celebrate Jesus. Praise God!

Prayer Point :

Father, from today, I will stay quite and watch you avenge me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 Chronicles 28-29 and Proverbs 30:7-17

HYMN 2: O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED.

O Jesus, I have promised,
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my Guide.

Oh, let me feel Thee near me;
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

Oh, let me hear Thee speaking,
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
Oh, speak to reassure me,
To hasten, or control;
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in Thy strength alone.
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then to rest receive me,
My Savior and my Friend.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 26 MAY 2016 BEWARE OF PRIDE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THURSDAY 26 MAY 2016

BEWARE OF PRIDE

Memorise:

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18

Read: 1st Peter 5:5-6

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Message

Our topic for today is a warning to be very careful of pride. Pride is a giant killer that has turned many great men and women of God to mere casualties. Pride is the first and foremost of the traditional seven deadly sins, perhaps because it is in many ways the root of other sins. Even the “original sin” of Adam and Eve was not mere disobedience, but at the heart of it was pride, quietly lurking in a corner. The fact that Adam and Eve wanted to be like God, reveals a form of hidden pride. Ironically, eating the forbidden fruit led to the opening of their eyes, increasing them in knowledge and wisdom. It turned their attention away from God and they became focused on their outward appearance. They immediately developed the ability, confidence and independence to decide and act on their own without any recourse to God their maker. This is the same fatal foolishness that has plagued the human race ever since.

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

Pride has been correctly identified by many as the greatest woe which can quickly destroy anyone captured by it. I usually tell my children that apart from impure thoughts and cravings of the body, another area in which you must exert your victory over the flesh is pride. A proud person is always in contention – fighting with those he thinks he is better than; such a fellow will do everything to show that he is better than others. The proud is always in competition with those who appear better off, just to prove a point that he or she is superior. In doing this, the proud will make derogatory statements about such people and cut them to size just to show that he knows it better or can do it better. The proud finds it difficult to acknowledge the sincere work or effort of others because he thinks such will displace him from being on top. The proud sees himself as being number one in all things. Apart from contending with men, the proud also contends with God. Anyone who is proud or haughty and is speaking so much about God is only a pretender. By reason of their contention with God, they have enthroned themselves as number one in their own lives, making God their running mate. Are you finding it difficult to recognize the efforts of those that are better than you in certain areas? You are simply proud.

Psalms 73:6 says some people are compassed with pride. This implies that it is possible for pride to be visibly glaring in the life of someone that is full of it. You can be clothed in pride just as you can be clothed in humility. You can be clothed in pride just as you can be clothed in humility. You can identify a proud person from his or her looks, carriage, dressing, speech, behaviour, giving, prayer, Christian service, work, attitude, etc. Unfortunately, Isaiah 13:11 says that the same reason which makes the proud fellow haughty is the same reason that will make him fall. Every proud individual is headed for a fall and proud people end up being destroyed (Proverbs 16:18). Some people are proud but they don’t know it. If you exalt yourself by your words and conduct, you shall be abased (Matthew 23:12). James 4:6 speaks of something quite frightening: it says God resists the proud which confirms that God is always contending with the proud, is there pride in your heart? Ask God to forgive and uproot every trace of pride from your life today.

Prayer point:

Father, please remove the spirit of pride from my life this moment in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1st Chronicles 25-27 and Proverbs 29:22-30:6

HYMN 9: MY FAITH HAS FOUND A  PLACE

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

Chorus:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.

Chorus:

My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s Name,
Salvation through His blood.

Chorus:

My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.

Chorus.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 NOT IMPOSSIBLE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016

NOT IMPOSSIBLE

Memorise:

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

Read: Numbers 14:6-9

6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.

9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

Message

One thing I have always told my children that every Christian should never forget is the fact that the Christian life is not an ordinary life, but a supernatural one. It is something superior to the ordinary natural existence. It supersedes the natural so much that it compels things to be done that would ordinarily not be done. The supernatural can cause events contrary to natural laws to take place. Anyone operating at the realm of the supernatural therefore does what everyone else terms ‘impossible’. One such instance is Ezekiel’s encounter with the dry bones. It takes supernatural power to reverse the irreversible. It also takes this power that is beyond human ability to move the immovable. This is also the kind of power that is required to win your nation for Jesus. This year, you will encounter the supernatural so much that whatever is irreversible in your life will be reversed, and whatever has been immovable will be moved in your favour in Jesus’ Name.

When you are operating in the realm of the supernatural, you face situations with the understanding that with God, nothing shall be impossible. What is that physical challenge you are having in your body? By the power of God, it shall be resolved today. This year, what everyone had deemed impossible will be possible for you. By the power of the Most High, what you found most impossible to accomplish will become possible. Every chain of impossibility around that nagging situation is broken now in the victorious Name of Jesus Christ. Possibilities will be your experience from now.

When some people meet with difficulties in a particular business, they abandon it for another. This may not necessarily be the best thing to do. Even when it appears hopeless, just hold on to God’s Word concerning the situation, obey and wait for the result. To solve a particular problem or challenge, it is not necessarily the number of attempts made that matters, but who is aiding your attempts. Peter had tried so many times without a catch that night, but the only attempt he made that had the backing of the Lord delivered to him a harvest beyond expectations. The major challenge which believers going through the path of hopelessness face is that, unlike Peter, they lack a Word from God in respect to their situation. When there is nothing from God on an issue, the state of hopelessness will be worse. But if God has spoken a Word on the matter, the case is as good as closed in your favour. Are you in a hopeless situation? Take time to read and study the Bible, asking God to give you a Word for that situation. God always has something to say about your situation, but are you ready to hear it? God is assuring you, it is not impossible! As you return to that abandoned project or failed business, every impossibility shall become possible in the name of Jesus.

Prayer Point:

Father, please give me the grace to always look unto You for everything I need in life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1st Chronicles 22:2-24:31 and Proverbs 29:10-21

HYMN 7: HOLY HOLY HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert and art and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 24 MAY 2016 THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

TUESDAY 24 MAY 2016

THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Memorise:
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:35

Read: Matthew 18:32-35

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Message

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. It is also a commandment from God and a requirement to be fulfilled before anyone can enjoy the grace of receiving His forgiveness in our lives. The root cause of bitterness and unforgiveness in our lives is often the root cause of a number of other issues that we may be dealing with on a regular basis. Forgiving whether we feel like it or not, or releasing even the greatest offender into God’s hands will baffle, confound, and damage the whole realm of Satan. Just as all of heaven rejoices when we accept Christ, so hell impotently rages as we reclaim lost ground.

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not… neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15

Let us assume that your problems are really big. You have been badly hurt by your partner’s actions. No one denies the pain and anger you are going through, especially if your partner has been unfaithful. But despite the unfaithfulness or whatever it is that has caused you to think about divorce, assuming that there has been true repentance, have you tried forgiveness? Forgiveness is ultimately the only way we can handle broken relationships. It is the only way we can lay past problems to rest. Forgiveness is not a surge of emotions; it is a deliberate act of will. For Christians, the forgiveness we exercise is based on the fact that we ourselves have been forgiven by God. I know that many hurting partners will say, ‘I have forgiven again and again.’If that is so and your forgiveness has been abused and trampled on, it may well be time for another action. But before you take the final step, put all your problems into perspective. Is it worth throwing away the past years if it is possible to salvage the relationship with an act of Christian forgiveness? I am not suggesting it is easy, that the pain will mysteriously go away or that all the problems will be sorted out overnight. There may be a great deal of work that needs to be done.
Bitterness is a cyclical, repetitive, tightly closed circle of self-centred pain. It carries us round and around the same senseless arc.

Like a child learning to ride a bicycle, knowing how to ride but not how to stop, we pedal on and on, afraid to quit, yet wishing desperately for someone to come and take the bars, break our circling, and let us off. Bitterness is useless. Repayment is impossible. Revenge is impotent. Resentment is impractical. Only forgiveness can reconcile the differences and restore healing to a relationship. Rejecting all the relationship that have failed us is the most common counsel among Christians and non-Christians alike. Cut off the old connections, withdraw from all interactions, live at a distance, and avoid any intimacy or involvement. Above all, do not risk working toward towards forgiveness. All these are contrary to the Word of God.

It is definitely not easy to forgive and it may be impossible to forget. However, it is possible for us to forgive because we have the power of the Holy Spirit within. Think for a moment, and honestly answer the big question, have you considered forgiveness?

Prayer Point:

Father, please close the door against the spirit of unforgiveness in my life in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1st Chronicles 19:1-22:1, proverbs 28:26-29:9

HYMN 4: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

1. Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2. Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 23 MAY 2016 DO YOU LOVE GOD?

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

MONDAY 23 MAY 2016

DO YOU LOVE GOD?

Memorise :

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:15

Read : Deuteronomy 6:4-7

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.

Message

In today’s Bible reading, Jesus asked a pointed question from Simon Peter, “lovest thou me more than these?” Jesus was not in doubt whether Peter loved Him; He was more interested in knowing the level Peter’s commitment to Him when compared to other worldly things. Many truely love God, but they are more committed to other things like their profession, business, means of livelihood, fashion, sports, entertainment, food and delicacies, friends and family, social engagement, etc. Whenever God’s  demand clashes with their interests, they will surely go for their interests. When the chips are down, God must play the second fiddle to the true love of their lives. In this respect, on Psalms 42:1, David says

“AS the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”

In the above passage, the Bible recorded the Psalmist speaking of his yearning for God. He compares his yearning for God to the extreme teaching of a dehydrated deer, whose need for water is shown by its painting. We know the hart or deer does not pant except when it is being chased by hunter or when it is highly dehydrated. Do you know that for many people, it is only when they are being hunted by the devil or situations of life that they remember God? When everything else is in place: the store is filled with rich varieties of food, the bank account is bubbling, the contracts are coming, the family members are well and making process and ministry is moving on; the need to search for God never arises in the hearts of many. But when there is trouble: a child is sick, there is no food to eat, the business is experiencing dryness and there are several challenges in the ministry; then suddenly the one at the receiving end would remember that he or she has a God. If you seek God only when you are hunted, you are a God-user and not a God-lover. You can be sure God know the difference and He will deal with His seekers according. John 21:15 says :

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.”

It is possible that a pursue God, not because you are in trouble but because you love him. Anything can happen when you are in love. Songs of Solomon 2:5 says it is even possible to become sick because of love. If you have an intense love for God, you will go to any length for Him. God has created us to be capable of loving one another, particularly Him. If you find it difficult to truely love God, it is because something else or someone else has stolen your love. Material things have stolen the hearts ur many people from God. If you have lost your first love- the original quality of love once expressed towards Him when you first knew the Lord, then ask Him to help you recover it. Are you panting after God because you are hunted or because of love? If love drives you to God, love will drive Him to you in return and He will give Himself to you without reservation. Do you love God more than anything in this world?

Prayer Point :

Father, let my love for You grow stronger, and stronger, all the days of my life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 16:8-18:17 and Proverbs 28:14-25

HYMN 4: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

1. Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2. Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.