A GLASS OF WATER? – Tuesday May 31st, 2016
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
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: ALWAYS ON TIME - Monday 30th May, 2016
TOPIC: ALWAYS ON TIME - Monday 30th May, 2016
Memorise: Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. – John 11:21
Memorise: Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. – John 11:21
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: BEWARE OF PRIDE – Thursday May 26th, 2016
TOPIC: BEWARE OF PRIDE – Thursday May 26th, 2016
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:
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 25-27, Proverbs 29:22-30:6
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 woman 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 forbidding 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 contend s 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.
SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 16, 2016
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:
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 25-27, Proverbs 29:22-30:6
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 woman 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 forbidding 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 contend s 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.
SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 16, 2016
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: NOT IMPOSSIBLE – Wednesday May 25th, 2016
NOT IMPOSSIBLE – Wednesday May 25th, 2016
Memorise: For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37
Memorise: For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37
Monday, May 23, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: DO YOU LOVE GOD? – Monday May 23rd, 2016
TOPIC: DO YOU LOVE GOD? – Monday May 23rd, 2016
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.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 16:8-18:17, Proverbs 28:14-25
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 of Peter’s commitment to Him when compared to other worldly things. Many truly love God, but they are more committed to other things like their profession, business, means of livelihood, fashion, sport, entertainment, food and delicacies, friends and family, social engagements, 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, in 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 of a dehydrated deer, whose need for God to the extreme yearning of a dehydrated deer, whose need for water is shown by its panting.
We know the hart or deer does not pant except when it is being chased by a 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 price: the store is filled with rich varieties of food, the bank account is bubbling, the contacts are coming, the family members are well and making progress and the 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 knows the difference and He will deal with His seekers accordingly. 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 to 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 truly love God, it is because something else or someone else has stolen your love. Material things have stolen the hearts of many people from God. If you have lost your first love – the original quality of love you 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.
SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 16, 2016
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.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 16:8-18:17, Proverbs 28:14-25
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 of Peter’s commitment to Him when compared to other worldly things. Many truly love God, but they are more committed to other things like their profession, business, means of livelihood, fashion, sport, entertainment, food and delicacies, friends and family, social engagements, 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, in 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 of a dehydrated deer, whose need for God to the extreme yearning of a dehydrated deer, whose need for water is shown by its panting.
We know the hart or deer does not pant except when it is being chased by a 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 price: the store is filled with rich varieties of food, the bank account is bubbling, the contacts are coming, the family members are well and making progress and the 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 knows the difference and He will deal with His seekers accordingly. 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 to 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 truly love God, it is because something else or someone else has stolen your love. Material things have stolen the hearts of many people from God. If you have lost your first love – the original quality of love you 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.
SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 16, 2016
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: A SON INDEED? – Sunday May 22nd, 2016
TOPIC: A SON INDEED? – Sunday May 22nd, 2016
Memorise: Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ - Galatians 4:7
Memorise: Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ - Galatians 4:7
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today : NO PARTIALITY – Saturday May 21st, 2016
NO PARTIALITY – Saturday May 21st, 2016
Memorise: Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear - 1st Timothy 5:20
Memorise: Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear - 1st Timothy 5:20
Friday, May 20, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: BEING UNMOVEABLE – Friday May 20th, 2016
BEING UNMOVEABLE – Friday May 20th, 2016
Memorise: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
Memorise: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today : THE PEACE OF GOD – Tuesday May 17th, 2016
THE PEACE OF GOD – Tuesday May 17th, 2016
Memorise: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Memorise: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES I – Sunday May 15th, 2016
WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES I – Sunday May 15th, 2016
Memorise: And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment - John 16:8
Memorise: And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment - John 16:8
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: THE END OF THE LAW – Saturday May 14th, 2016
THE END OF THE LAW – Saturday May 14th, 2016
Memorise: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity - 1st Corinthians 13:13
Memorise: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity - 1st Corinthians 13:13
Friday, May 13, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today :LIGHT OF THE WORLD – Friday 13th May, 2016
LIGHT OF THE WORLD – Friday 13th May, 2016
Memorise: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid - Matthew 5:14
Memorise: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid - Matthew 5:14
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: CONSISTENT CHRISTIANS? - Wednesday 11 May, 2016
TOPIC: CONSISTENT CHRISTIANS? - Wednesday 11 May, 2016
Memorise: And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. – Revelation 22:12
Memorise: And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. – Revelation 22:12
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: WHAT MUST I DO TO RECEIVE FROM GOD - Thursday 5th May, 2016
TOPIC: WHAT MUST I DO TO RECEIVE FROM GOD - Thursday 5th May, 2016
Memorise: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. – John 15:7
Memorise: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. – John 15:7
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Open Heavens Devotional for Today: THE MAN GOD USES - Sunday 1st May, 2016
TOPIC: THE MAN GOD USES - Sunday 1st May, 2016
Memorise: But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. – 2 Timothy 2:20
Memorise: But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. – 2 Timothy 2:20
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