Open Heavens for Saturday 28th June, 2014: BE THOU PERFECT

TOPIC: BE THOU PERFECT

Memorise: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.  Matthew 5:48

Read: Genesis 17:1-8
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday, June 27, 2014: COMMANDED TO SHINE

TOPIC: COMMANDED TO SHINE

Memorise: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16
 
Read:Ephesians 5:8-14
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Open Heavens for Thursday, June 26, 2014: DIVINE COMPENSATION

TOPIC: DIVINE COMPENSATION

Memorize: But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10

Read: Genesis 41:37-45
37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. 

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday, 25 June, 2014: DIVINE SPECIFICATIONS FOR GOOD SUCCESS

TOPIC: DIVINE SPECIFICATIONS FOR GOOD SUCCESS Memorise: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  Luke 6:38 Read: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Open Heavens Devotional For Tuesday, June 24, 2014 Titled: FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS

TOPIC: FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS

Memorise: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?      2 Corinthians 6:14 

Read: Acts 2:46-47
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Open Heavens Devotional For Monday, June 23, 2014: SECRETS OF PRAISE AND PRAYER

TOPIC: SECRETS OF PRAISE & PRAYER

Memorise: I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Psalm 18:3

Read:2 Chronicles 20:8-24
8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Open Heavens Devotional For Sunday, June 22, 2014:

TOPIC:SUNDRY TRUTHS ABOUT LIGHT

Memorise: In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4

Read: Matthew 5:14-16
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday, 21 June, 2014: HOME AWAY FROM HOME

TOPIC: HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Memorise: As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the  manifold grace of God.  1 Peter 4:10

Read: 2 Kings 4:8-17

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday, June 20, 2014: MAINTAINING RELEVANCE

TOPIC: MAINTAINING RELEVANCE!

Memorise: They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentation 3:23

Read: Matthew 5:13-16
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Open Heavens Devotional For Thursday, June 19, 2014: PARENTING

TOPIC: PARENTING

Memorise:When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: Matthew 2:14

Read: 1 Samuel 1:22-23

22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.
23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him. 

Open Heavens Devotional For Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - PROVOKING POSITIVE CHANGE

TOPIC: PROVOKING POSITIVE CHANGE

Memorise: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20

Read: Matthew 15:21-28

21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy
on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for
she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.
And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Open Heavens Devotional For Tuesday, June 17, 2014: REASONABLE SERVICE

TOPIC: REASONABLE SERVICE

Memorise: The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?
1 Chronicles 29:5

Read: Hebrews 7:26-28  

26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made
    higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the
     people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since       
     the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Message 
Service is good, but no service is acceptable before God without the servant working with Him. Working with God is serious business. It requires consecration i.e. setting apart an object or person to the worship and service of God. For a true believer in Christ, this is a life of service and worship that follows our commitment to take up our cross and follow the Lord Jesus. This denotes giving ourselves up to Christ as persons bought with a price and no longer our own. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says,

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday, June 16, 2014 - REFLECTING GOD'S IMAGE

                                                  TOPIC: REFLECTING GOD'S IMAGE

Memorise: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.     Genesis 1:27

READ: Psalm 8:3-6           BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 14; Psalm 125-126

Message:
The work of creation as recorded in the book of Genesis reveals God’s great variety, beauty, exactness, accuracy, power and order. Man was the epitome of God’s creation. He was made last of all the creatures and as soon as he was made, he had the whole visible creation before him to enjoy. It is also interesting to note that man was made in the image of God and after his likeness. God gave him authority over other creatures and made man His representative on earth.

Open Heavens Devotional For Sunday 15th June, 2014: REMAINING AS LIGHT

TOPIC: REMAINING AS LIGHT

Memorise: The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Matthew 6:22
 
READ: James 1:17-22     BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Leviticus 13; Psalm 123-124

Message:
When you look at the account of creation in Genesis 1:1-3, and observe the pre-eminence given to light, you will realise that one of the most pleasing events to God is when His children shine. As lights, we are expected to shine. Are you shining in your family, place of work, church, society, town, state, province or country? Can the Almighty God see you as light wherever you are located? May you never disappoint the Lord in Jesus’ Name. One of those who shone as light of the world was the man Abraham. His light was so bright that God could vouch for him. Genesis 18:19 says this about him:

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 14th June, 2014 Titled: MOVING ON

TOPIC: MOVING ON

Memorise: The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: Deuteronomy 1:6

READ: Deuteronomy 1:6-8             BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 10-12; Psalm 120-122

Message:
God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and as such, He is familiar with His creation to the extent that He knows that human beings are averse to making changes in life. We have a terrible tendency of becoming attached to locations and activities, such that we refuse to move on when we should. Consequently, God gave the call for His people to move on at different times in the Bible. For the children of Israel in the wilderness, the taking up of the cloud from the tabernacle of testimony was a signal that they should prepare to move on (Numbers 10:11-13). People prefer to continue doing what they have done repeatedly for years because they have gotten used to it and feel at home with familiar activities and environments. We stay on activities longer than we should, meetings run longer than necessary and we prefer to maintain the status quo. Sometimes, in order to avoid making changes, we even ignore God’s directives.

Open Heavens Devotional For Friday 13th June, 2014: THE YOUNG SHALL GROW

TOPIC: THE YOUNG SHALL GROW

Memorise: Be ye followers of me, even as I am of Christ.  
1 Corinthians 11:1

READ: Luke 2:46-50       

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 8-9; Psalm 119:161-172
 
Message:
Those who are wise submit to God totally. You must be keenly observant of what your mentor is doing while you are undergoing tutelage if you are to perform at a greater level in future. Elisha had closely observed how Elijah parted the waters, and he emulated him. He got his own miracle. Many times, young people think that they are wiser than the elders. I often remind ambitious young people of this anecdote. I tell my natural and spiritual children that:

“When you are as old as I am, you will understand why I cannot sleep at night. You will know why I go for prayer walks, two, three times a day, and often at night. You will also understand why I fast so often”.

“He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” Daniel 2:22

Open Heavens Devotional For Thursday 12th June 2014 is Titled: LIVING RIGHT

TOPIC: LIVING RIGHT

Memorise: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John 3:9

READ: 1 Peter 2:9-12                    BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 5:14-7:38; Psalm 119:145-160

Message:  
A child of God is the light of the world. Light is the direct opposite of darkness. Everybody welcomes light with a shout of joy. Where there is light, hidden agendas are revealed. Jesus expects us to prove Him right by living according to His description of us. The implication of being called a child of God is that you should cease to live in sin. The most painful experience a Christian could have is for someone to look at you and say: “And you call yourself a child of God!” Unbelievers know that they are not children of God, but they expect a life that is compliant with your confession as a child of God.

Some of us have forfeited many things we could have legitimately fought for, because we do not want anybody to say: “And you said you are a child of God”. I recall the death and burial of the late founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The senior pastors suspected that I was going to be his successor even though nobody had officially said so. They waged war against me. On my part, I prepared for battle by loading myself with some mathematical calculations and putting together some Bible passages I could use as arrows. I was ready for a total showdown spiritually. Along the way, the Lord began to speak to me. He said to me, “As a son of the Prince of Peace, are you supposed to fight?” That was the end of my plan to fight my detractors.

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 10th June, 2014 Titled: A STEP FURTHER

 

TOPIC: A STEP FURTHER

Memorise: But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. Hebrews 12:22

READ: Ephesians 1:15-19      BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 1-3; Psalm 119:113-128

Message:
Our redemption in Christ has brought us into the presence of God. This general experience for all believers is where many people still dwell many years after their salvation experience; this ought not to be so. Paul maintained an upward spiritual journey by not resting on his oars. He was not satisfied with any spiritual level he attained. This is not to say that he was not grateful to God at each point of his spiritual journey. In Christ, there is only a starting point but there is no end to spiritual growth because the Lord is infinite in all things (2 Corinthians 3:18). 

The outstanding carriers of His glory are those who kept going further and further in Him. For some of them, they encountered many miracles, while some others were special instruments for working great miracles. They encountered opposition from those outside the kingdom and even from God’s people. They had peculiar difficulties and weaknesses, but they broke through all barriers to become outstanding carriers of His glory.

Open Heavens Devotional For Monday 9th June, 2014 Titled: DEMONS BOW

TOPIC: DEMONS BOW

Memorise: And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. Acts 16:18

READ: 1 Samuel 5:3-5 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 38:21-40:38; Psalm 119:97-112
 
Message:
There is power in the glorious presence of God. This power is the emission of the power of His Person. The presence of God does not carry less power than the Person of God because the power of His presence is derived from His attributes as God. Right from my early years as General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, I have learnt the secret of victory through the authority of His Name and the power of His presence. I believe that as ambassadors of Christ, it is just enough for demons to see us to flee. From today, demons will flee from you in the mighty Name of Jesus. Demons recognised the Lord’s presence both in the synagogue and outside the synagogue. His presence and words of power were too much for demons to stand. This is my desire for every pastor and house fellowship leader: that you will be so saturated with His divine presence that demons and their agents will find your locations too hot for them. In the church and on the streets, the Lord will fill everywhere with His presence through His representatives so that His salvation, deliverance and blessings can reach all.

Open Heavens For Sunday 8th June, 2014: COMPLETE DELIVERANCE

TOPIC: COMPLETE DELIVERANCE

Memorise:  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:32

READ: Exodus 14:26-31         BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 35:30-38:20; Psalm 119:81-96

Message:
Many people in the world today, including some ignorant spirit-filled born-again Christians, are groaning under demonic oppressions and all kinds of bondage. They may not be demon-possessed, but they are certainly demon-oppressed. They are suffering from various types of yokes that keep them from being fruitful. When God delivers, He does not leave loose ends, so that there would be no more trouble. In Exodus 14:26-28, when God dealt with the hosts of Pharaoh, not one of them escaped. Also, in Daniel 6:24, not one of those who put Daniel into the lion’s den escaped. They were all destroyed together with the members of their families.

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 7th June, 2014: THE FIRE FELL

                                                            TOPIC: THE FIRE FELL

Memorise: Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 1 Kings 18:38

READ: 1 Kings 18:36-38 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 33:7-35:29; Psalm 119:65-80
 
Message: A careful study of the scriptures shows that each time that God answered prayers by fire, it was because there was something on the ground that the fire needed to consume. Twice, fire came down to destroy the enemies of God when they tried to humiliate His servant, Elijah. For a reader of this devotional, whatever has been humiliating you in time past is consumed by fire now, in Jesus’ Name. We see situations in the Bible where Elijah would pronounce an unfavourable decree in the presence of a king and leave unharmed. They could not arrest Him because he was carrying fire. Whenever God is on your side, He will paralyse your enemies physically and mentally. They would be watching as you are escaping.

Open Heavens Devotional For Friday 6th June, 2014 Titled: CONTROVERSIAL BLESSING

TOPIC: CONTROVERSIAL BLESSING

READ: John 9:8-16           BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 30:22-33:6; Psalm 119:49-64

Memorise: When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 
                    Psalm 126:1
Message:
The Lord Jesus is the centre of new beginnings; therefore, every new beginning takes its origin in Christ. When God found fault with the Old Testament, He introduced the New Testament on the platform of Christ’s sacrifice. It does not matter your background, education, race, sex or colour; Christ has provided a level playing field of opportunities for everyone to be blessed beyond measure. The choice to be blessed in such a way that your case becomes the talk of the town now rests with you. 

Some people are resistant to new things; they like suffering, hardship, poverty, sickness and stagnation. Their present poor state is so acceptable to them that they don’t see any need to embrace change. I once had an experience of this sometime ago when I prayed for someone and said: “When next you are coming to the annual convention, you will come in your own car”. I expected him to say Amen, but he did not, so I asked him: “Did you hear what I said?” He replied: “Yes”. “Why then didn’t you answer?” I asked. Then he explained: “When one gets a car, you will begin to talk about getting a mechanic, insurance and fuel shortage problems”. He continued rolling out reasons why he was not expecting a car. That was the lie of the devil to keep him away from his blessing. The devil did not want him to see the good side of having a car.

Open Heavens Devotional For Thursday 5th June, 2014: THE CHOSEN ONES

TOPIC: THE CHOSEN ONES

Memorise: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. 
(Matthew 20:16)
 
READ: Matthew 25:1-13;       BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 29:1-30:21; Psalm 119:33-48

Message:
There were many virgins in the land but only ten were chosen. Before the ten were chosen, you can be sure all other virgins would have been called. This scenario is seen in the book of Esther. When the king wanted another wife to replace Vashti, he called all the virgins together so that he could choose one of them. If you are a minister of God, you are already called but possibly not chosen. 

Experience has shown that many ministers of God will not make Heaven. The chosen are selected to be special (Deuteronomy 7:6). They are also chosen to be peculiar (Deuteronomy 14:2). As a chosen people of God, everyone should see you as peculiar without you saying a word. The chosen must be precious (1 Peter 2:4). Are you precious to God? Have you brought yourself into a relationship with God so that if you die today, God will notice that somebody has died? The chosen will be defended tremendously against his enemies (Isaiah 41:9-13). The first reason for choosing the twelve apostles was for companionship. This is very important, but this quality is lacking in the life of many ministers of God.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR WEDNESDAY 4TH MAY, 2014 TITLED: Leadership And Anointing

TOPIC: LEADERSHIP AND ANOINTING

Memorise: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5b

READ: 2 Samuel 5:1-3;                 BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 27-28; Psalm 119:17-32

Message:
Some people hide under the fact that they have been previously anointed, and by this, pre-suppose that they do not need any further anointing. The truth is that God gives extra anointing to those whom he wants to give extra blessings and glory. Perhaps you have discovered that God has ordained you to be great; you still need to wait for the anointing. The fact that God has deposited the seed of greatness in your life does not mean that you have arrived. You need the anointing to fulfil your vision and achieve your destiny (2 Samuel 5:1-3). The new anointing that God is going to add to your life is going to complete what He has started in your life. One of the reasons why the anointing is so important is that whatever is anointed cannot be reversed by the enemy.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TUESDAY 3RD JUNE, 2014: Fighter's Qualification

TOPIC: FIGHTER'S QUALIFICATION

Memorise:  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Luke 3:9

READ: John 15:1-6;      BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 25-26; Psalm 119:1-16

Message:
Whenever someone is invited to join the army, he is told the beautiful things that he will get when he signs up: cheap food, free clothing and a lot of other fringe benefits. He is never told what he will go through when he gets into the barracks. In the barracks, he is taken through heavy rigours and at the end of the day, he becomes broken down enough to handle a machine gun fearlessly. In the same manner, before the Almighty God would hand over His weaponry to anyone, the fellow will go through some rigours. The good news is that He promised in Isaiah 43:2 that He will be with you while you pass through those challenges.

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR MONDAY 2ND JUNE, 2014 TITLED: Why Expectations Fail

TOPIC: WHY EXPECTATIONS FAIL

Memorise: The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7

READ: Jeremiah 29:1-13;      BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 22:16-24:18; Psalm 118

Message: Some expectations don’t come to pass and there are reasons for that. It is a painful experience to see your expectation fail. When expectation is based on assumption, it will fail (Deuteronomy 1:42-44). Great expectations are founded on God’s promise. By simply assuming that you will succeed in certain businesses just like others, you are setting yourself up for failure. Some Christians invest their money into projects without God’s approval, only to have their expectation for dividends fail. Basing your expectation in marriage on physical qualities like beauty, good stature and good physique will surely lead to failure (1 Samuel 16:6-7). Elements of physical beauty can be misleading (Proverbs 31:30). Some single ladies today are learning the lesson of humility in a hard way. They trusted in their beauty and expected that it will earn them prompt marriage, a good husband and a happy home. Many of such ladies are crying in their closet today because they have realised that any expectation not centred on God will fail.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR SUNDAY 1ST JUNE, 2014 TITLED: Be Determined To Wait

TOPIC: BE DETERMINED TO WAIT

Memorise: If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Job 14:14

READ: Habakkuk 2:1-3;       BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 20: 1-22:15 Psalm 117

Message:

There is a waiting period that precedes the manifestation of great expectations. The gestation period of an African elephant is the longest of all mammals. It last for about 22 months, which is almost two calendar years. Contrast this with that of a rat which is just about 20 days. If you expectation is very great, your waiting period may be longer than that of another man with smaller expectations. Expectation for a great miracle warrants great patience. It is premature for an elephant to deliver nine months after pregnancy, whereas it is the joy of any woman to deliver her baby during that same period. You need to wait for your own appointed time as designed by God.