Open Heavens 22 June 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Who is Behind This Roadblock?

Topic: Who is Behind This Roadblock? [Thursday 22, June 2017]

Memorise: Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. – Psalm 26:2

Read: Numbers 22:22-31 (KJV)

22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.

28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.

31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

Bible in One Year: Judges 15-16, Jeremiah 51:27-44, Hymn: Sing hymn 4

MESSAGE:

“Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.” – Psalm 68:1

The above scripture is one of those very popular passages in the Psalms. When a baby Christian hears it, he will say “Amen!” Some adult Christians have even turned it into a song. A mature believer in Christ, I mean a real bone-cracker, will however react differently. When he or she hears this passage being quoted, the first thing he or she will do is to carry out a brief self-examination and introspectively ask: “I hope I am not one of these enemies?” In other words, he is not in a hurry to say amen. In 2 Samuel 12:1-7, after Prophet Nathan told King David the story of an oppressive act committed in his kingdom, the king rose up in fury and decreed, “That fellow must die.” Then the prophet replied, “You are the man, O king.” Be very careful how you judge others because Matthew 7:2 says,

“For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

If only some people were merciful while judging others, they too would have been shown mercy when they were going through their own judgement.

Beloved, before you cry to God to arise and let His enemies be scattered, first find out if you are not that enemy. Have you even tried to find out whether God is the one fighting you? In today’s Bible reading, God had told Prophet Balaam not to go and curse His people. Nevertheless, when Balak invited him to curse the children of Israel and promised him a lot of money, he disobeyed God. God therefore sent an angel to block his way. The donkey he rode on saw the angel and stopped, but because his own eyes were blinded by covetousness, he could not see the angel. What will you do if you find yourself in this scenario? You perceive something is blocking your way but you do not know what exactly it is, and you say, “You demon standing between me and my destiny, move!” You get a response saying, “I am not a demon but an angel.” You then insist and say, “No problem, whatever you are, move out of my way!” He then asks, “In whose name?” You say “In the Name of Jesus Christ”, and the response is, “Oh, He is the One who asked me to block your way!” What would you do? Today, many people are busy fighting non-existent forces of darkness that they believe are blocking their way. Go back to God and find out who is really blocking your way in order to pray correctly.

Key Point: Many children of God are doing God’s work their own way and refusing to do it God’s way. God is therefore grinding them to a halt!

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

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Thursday 22nd, June 2017 - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL - There Are Good Things In You

There Are Good Things In You

That the communication of thy faith may become
effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which
is in you in Christ Jesus (Philemon 1:6).

 For you to be effective in the communication of your

faith, there has to be an acknowledgement of the

good things in you. There’re no bad things in you. Some

people don’t know this, so they’re always looking for

something that’s wrong with them. They’re always talking

themselves down, focusing always on their inabilities,

disabilities, and frustrations. That’s not right! There are good

things in you, and you’ve got to acknowledge them.

As a child of God, the very life of God is in you: “To

whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory

of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Christ is in you; He lives

in your heart. Acknowledge it. Affirm that greater is He that’s

in you than he that’s in the world. This means you’re not an

ordinary person. You have the ability of God and excellence

of the Spirit in you. You can reign in this life because you have

the righteousness of God. You’re special!

Why is it so important to acknowledge the good things

in you in Christ Jesus? It’s because they’re spiritual and are

actualized or activated by acknowledgement. The Bible says,

“They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in

darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I

have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most

High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes”

(Psalm 82:5-7).

The above verses are very revealing. It shows why

many live miserably and die like ordinary men, even though

There Are Good Things In You

they’re gods and children of the Most High. They’ve never

acknowledged who they are, what they have, their abilities

and potentials in Christ Jesus; this has made their faith

ineffective.

CONFESSION

As I meditate on God’s Word, my

spirit is programmed for absolute

mastery, success, and

transcendental blessings. I’m

blessed and highly favoured. The

lines are fallen unto me in

pleasant places. I have a goodly

heritage. Everything that belongs

to me is glorious and wonderful.

Hallelujah!

1 YEAR BIBLE
READING PLAN:

Acts 10:1-23

Ezra 4-6

2 YEAR BIBLE
READING PLAN:

Luke 3:1-11

Deuteronomy 20

FURTHER STUDY:

Ephesians 2:10

Psalm 139:14-16

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Wednesday 21st of June, 2017 - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL- Use What You Have

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Use What You Have

Wednesday, June 21st .
Pastor Chris

_*And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).*_

In our wonderful, journey of faith, God expects us to have a life of continual victory and prosperity; and all that’s required is for you to use what you have.

“So, what do I have in me?” You might ask. If you’re born again, you have eternal life in you. Jesus said, _*“…He that believeth on me hath everlasting life”*_ (John 6:47). Eternal life is the God-life, which is incorruptible. Use this life in you against the migraine headache, diabetes, or cancer that may be trying to find habitation in your body. Declare, “I refuse to accommodate any sickness, disease or pain in my body, because I have the life of God in me!”

Another thing you have is righteousness from the Lord. Philippians 3:9 says, _*“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”*_ When the devil tries to weaken your faith by making you feel unrighteous, you ought to say to him: “I’m the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! Get out, in Jesus’ Name!”

If he tries to make you feel you have a problem loving others, declare, _*“...the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost which is given unto me”*_ (Romans 5:5). This means you have love in your spirit. You’re a manifestation of the love of God. Love radiates through you. Think this way about yourself and speak and live accordingly.

It’s so important to know what you have in Christ, and the way to know is from the Word of God. Learn more about what you have in Christ and confess it.

      *PRAYER* 

*Dear Father, thank you for depositing within me your very life and nature. I walk in boldness and confidence, knowing that the incorruptible life within me can’t be defiled by sickness, disease, failure, death or the devil. I’m unblameable and unreproveable in your sight, because you love me and have made me your righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *1 Corinthians 2:12-13* Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. *||*

*||* *1 Corinthians 3:21-23* Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ [is] God's. *||*

*||* *1 John 4:4* Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING* 

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 9:32-43,
Ezra 1-3

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 2:41-52,
Deuteronomy 19

*EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

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WEDNESDAY 21ST JUNE 2017 Open heavens - WHY HUNGER?

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 21ST JUNE 2017

THEME: WHY HUNGER?

Memorise:
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: Psalm 63:5

Read: Proverbs 19:23-24

19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

19:24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

MESSAGE

One of our benefits as the sheep of the Great Shepherd is the assurance of provision. If you are a sheep of Jesus, you will definitely be fed and hunger wilI be alien to you. Psalm 37:3 says,
''Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

If God has promised that we shall be fed, why then are some of us hungry and even starving today? Several factors are responsible for this, first of which is that some people have erroneously mistaken poverty for righteousness and wealth for sinfulness. Some people have chosen to be poor so as to make Heaven. This is a fallacy! Do you know that so many poor people on earth, after suffering here, end up in Hell, whereas many believing Christians who were rich on earth continue to swim in eternal riches in Heaven? The choice is yours. Do not choose what will destroy but what will deliver you. Abraham was rich on earth, died and continued to live in God's abundance in Heaven. What is your choice? If you are still holding onto such negative beliefs or stereotypes, then you need to have a change of mindset.

Also, some believers are hungry today because they have violated God's financial principles. For instance, if you are not faithfully paying your tithe, you are inviting devourers to drive you into hunger. If you fail to pay your first fruits, you will be giving the enemy legal grounds to contest your job, open doors or breakthrough, and this could lead to hunger. Similarly, when you eat up the seeds you are meant to sow after every provision that comes to you, you will lose the harvest that could keep you from starving tomorrow. Some believers are in hunger as a result of reckless spending. They want to spend everything they have in one day. lf you eat up a month's provision in one week, you may have to spend the remaining weeks in hunger. In addition, some believers do not really trust in God but in the quality of their certificate, wisdom, knowledge and skill. This attitude has resulted in God stepping aside from their affairs in order to make them realise how little they can achieve by their limited strength. Hence, such people have ended up in disappointment and lack. Beyond this, others are in hunger because of laziness, as they have refused to take up opportunities to gather wealth. Lack and poverty may also be as a result of satanic manipulation and control. Are you hungry? Is it caused by your actions or inactions? Arise and put things in order today and turn away from hunger and lack!

Key Point:

The child of a billionaire cannot be starving for what to eat. You are the child of the richest person in the universe. You should not lack any good thing.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

Judges 12-14
Jeremiah 51:12-26

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

 *HYMN 10: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS*

1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Saviour above.

Refrain:
 _Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead._

2. There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
[Refrain]

3. There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honour Thy Word.
[Refrain]

4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!
[Refrain]

5. There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.
[Refrain]

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20 June 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Evangelism: Be More Proactive

Topic — Evangelism: Be More Proactive [Tuesday 20, June 2017]

Memorise: Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: – Proverbs 24:3

Read: Acts 5:12-16 (KJV)

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Bible in One Year: Judges 10-11, Jeremiah 50:44-51:11, Hymn: Sing hymn 13

MESSAGE:

Soul winning can trigger the miraculous, as seen in the lives of the apostles. If you really want signs and wonders to attend to your life and ministry, you must be prepared to declare Jesus Christ at every opportunity you have, and if you lack such opportunities, you must be prepared to create them. In our Bible reading for today, it is recorded that through the hands of the apostles, several miracles were performed. This was a generic statement affecting all the apostles because they were all preaching the word of God (Acts 5:12). After this generic statement was made, Peter was singled out. Concerning him, it was said that he did not need to lay hands before miracles took place; rather, even his shadow was conducting deliverance and healing services while he was busy moving from place to place. Why was this so? How did Peter excel in signs and wonders? lt was because he took advantage of every opportunity he had to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He could face any crowd and declare his faith in Jesus Christ to them (See Acts 2 & Acts 3). God saw this attitude and was quite impressed, and He said,

''Since you are unstoppable in declaring My word, signs and wonders will never cease in your life."

Can you take the act of witnessing to such limits as you have never been before? In various life endeavours, several Christians plan, set goals and targets, and come up with strategies to accomplish them, but when it comes to soul-winning they don't do any of these. As a marketer, you devise plans on how to reach out to a larger segment of the market and on how to get a larger market share for your products. That is how it should be for soul-winning too. What is your plan or strategy for winning more souls to Christ this year? For many individuals, couples or families, there is no plan for evangelism. No specific number of converts is being targeted daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. Due to this lack of planning, some people cannot boast of five converts in 12 months. What a shame! Several opportunities that God gave us to win souls have been lost to lack of planning. If you set a monthly target of winning 20 souls, you will take every opportunity that comes your way more seriously and exploit them in order to achieve your target. Success in evangelism can never be attained without a plan. Repent today and become more proactive in evangelism. Come up with a plan for the year and prayerfully pursue it. It shall be achieved in Jesus' Name.

Action Point: Draw up a one-year evangelism plan stating the number of souls to be won daily, weekly and monthly, and prayerfully execute it.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

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Tuesday 20th of June-Prove The Word

Prove The Word

…prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts…

(Malachi 3:10).

God gave us His Word so we can live by it. The

Word of God has the capacity and ability to take

you through any situation in life victoriously. Isaiah 43:2 says,

“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.” However, you have

a responsibility to prove the Word; to work out the Word in

your life.

Too many Christians go through life struggling and

suffering, when they ought to be living in the transcendental

blessings that have been made available to us in Christ Jesus.

The reason for this is either because they’re ignorant or just

won’t put the Word to work. You hear of a Christian who

was so sick until he died, and some would say, “Well, sickness

comes to everybody.” No, that’s not true! Hosea 4:6 says,

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge….”

Ignorance is the bane of many.

It’s either we’re Christians in truth or we’re not. It’s

either what we believe works or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t, what

are we doing with it? If it works (and thank God it does), then

let’s keep “working” it. Something you must do for yourself

is to prove the Word of God in your own life. That way, you

can neither be deceived nor miss your way in life. You have

to know for yourself that the Gospel of Christ that you’ve

believed is real.

God isn’t afraid to be put on the spot. Dare to take

Him at His Word. He said in Malachi 3:10, “…prove menow herewith….” A lot of people don’t understand that their

blessings aren’t in God’s hands, but it’s in their own hands,

because Jesus already did everything needed for you to be

super abundantly blessed. For example, the whole world has

been saved by Jesus, because He died for everybody, but it’s

only those who hear about it, believe it, accept and confess

His Lordship, that receive salvation.

If you hear the Word and don’t act on it, it’ll not work,

no matter how much that Word inspires you. You must take

the next necessary step of acting accordingly for it to produce

results in your life.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for the

power of your Word and its

ability to take me through life

victoriously. I’m a doer of the

Word of God! As I look into the

Word, I’m transfigured into the

realities that I see; pictures and

visions of glory, success and

excellence, in Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

1 YEAR BIBLE

READING PLAN:

Acts 9:1-31

2 Chronicles

35-36

2 YEAR BIBLE

READING PLAN:

Luke 2:33-40

Deuteronomy 18

FURTHER STUDY:

James 1:22-25

2 Corinthians 3:18

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About pastor E. A. Adeboye

About Pastor E. A. Adeboye

The life of Enoch Adejare Adeboye is a fulfillment of the scriptures in Zechariah 4: 10 which declare, “despise not the days of small beginnings”. Born in 1942into a humble family in the village of Ifewara, Osun State located in the South-western part of Nigeria Enoch Adeboye often humorously states that his family was so poor that even the poor people called them poor. As a matter of fact, he unashamedly tells his congregation that he never owned shoes until he was eighteen years of age. What he possessed though were physical intangibles such as focus, consistency, diligence, ambition, a brilliant mind and a determination to succeed in life. In 1956 Enoch Adeboye was admitted into Ilesha Grammar School, Ilesha, Osun State, Western Nigeria and as a youth he discovered a passion for books, and an aptitude for science and in particular the field of Mathematics. This led to an academic journey in the field of Mathematics against incredible odds including but not limited to finances, the Nigerian Civil War and academic politics. By the time he was done, Enoch Adeboye had obtained not only a Bachelors (BSc.) degree in Mathematics from the University of Nigeria, Nnsukka, Nigeria in 1967, but also a Masters (MSc.) Degree in Hydrodynamics and a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Applied Mathematics, both from the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria in 1969 and 1975 respectively. One of the motivations for these academic achievements was Enoch Adeboye’s passionate desire to become the youngest Vice Chancellor (University President) of any one of the frontline Universities in Nigeria. It did seem that his academic ambition would be realized as his academic career flourished. However, this was not to be as a greater career awaited him in the service of the Lord. In 1967 Enoch Adeboye got married to his beloved wife Foluke Adenike Adeboye (nee Adeyokunnu).

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About pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.)

About pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.)

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.), is the President of Believers' LoveWorld Inc. and of Christ Embassy. Being a Man sent from God and a unique minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, his Spirit-filled and anointed leadership continues to propel a dynamic, multifaceted and global ministry. As a pastor, teacher, healing minister, television host and best-selling author, Pastor Chris daily exudes an insatiable passion to reach the peoples of the world with God's manifested presence; a divine commission he has diligently focused on fulfilling for more than 30 years.

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Monday 19th of June, 2017 - Lust pulls its victim

LUST PULLS ITS VICTIM

 – Monday June 19^th 2017

Memorise; But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James 1:14

Read: James 1:12-16 (KJV)

^1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

^1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

^1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

^1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

^1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

^1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Bible in one year: Judges 9, Jeremiah 50:31-43, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:

Many people have been taken captive in different ways. Some have become captives of war, while some others have fallen prey to traps set by the enemy. May God deliver us from satanic booby traps! However, you really need to exercise caution if you do not want to fall prey to the devil. Watch those things you take pleasure in because sooner rather than later, they can become the very things the tempter will use in enticing you! Open Heavens 19 June 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Lust pulls its victim.  Today’s memory verse tells us that temptations start with us: they emanate from what we secretly or openly long for. Some people nurse some unvoiced thoughts and ideas and do not really care whether those thoughts agree with the standard of Philippians 4:8. This standard states:

“…Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever thing are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

For nonchalant Christians, the devil soon sets them up to reveal exactly what is in their heart, and thereafter they are confronted with temptations. An example here is Esau, who loved good food. He loved eating so much that the devil decided to use food to secure the loss of his destiny, and he fell for it. If you secretly admire the opposite sex, the devil will find out about it someday, and before long, you will be battling with sexual lust or some other form of immorality.

Men are drawn by their own lustful thoughts. Lust pulls the one lusting into further sin. Do everything possible to avoid lust because before you know it, it will bring you into the pit of sin. If you lust after money, before long, you will find yourself in a situation where you will be tempted to sell out on your salvation or betray someone who is close to you in exchange for money, like Judas Iscariot and Joseph’s brothers did. What do you secretly lust after? Open heavens 2017. If you ignore it, you will later regret it by the time the tempter is through with you. This is the time to prayerfully check and cut off any seemingly harmless pull from lust. Where there is a pull, it continues until there is a build-up. When the build-up has become formidable, it will become too difficult to resist its compelling force to sin. Therefore, do everything possible to love only those things that are good, and feed your mind on the word of God. Also, avoid the tendency for a build up by resisting the subtle lure of lust. Prayerfully keep your thoughts in check and closely monitor what you allow into your heart.  

Action Point:

To prevent sexual sins, covetousness, murders and the likes, stop it at the thought stage. Don’t allow it move from thought to lust.

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Monday 19th June, 2017- He Forms Himself In Us

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

He Forms Himself In Us

Monday, June 19th .
Pastor Chris

_*Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed (Proverbs 16:3 AMP).*_

The Lord Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. Thus, the only way to receive Him in your life is by receiving God’s Word. When the Word gets into your heart, it imparts faith and effects changes. You become the express image of His person; God forms Himself in you through His Word. His words are His thoughts passed to your spirit. That’s what the Spirit explains through Paul in Ephesians 4:23 by telling us to be renewed in the spirit of our minds.

Romans 12:2 says, _*“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”*_ The renewing of your mind is simply exchanging your thoughts for His thoughts. You replace your opinions with His, and see from His perspective. In Christianity, we’re called to express God; His thoughts, opinions, will and His righteousness.

1 Peter 2:21 says, _*“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”*_ The Father wants us to be like Jesus; we were born with the same life, created in His image and in His likeness. He’s the unveiling of the Father; the express image of His person. He was God in the body of a Jewish man from Nazareth. If you express His thoughts, will, ideas, opinions, and righteousness, God also will be manifest in you.

This is what God wants. He not only wants you to have His life in you, He wants you to live it out. He doesn’t just want to be there potentially; He wants to be there in reality, walking, talking, blessing lives and manifesting His glory through you.

       *CONFESSION*

*I’m born anew with the life and nature of God. I walk, talk, think and act like Him. I have the mind of Christ, and I manifest His wisdom and glory in everything that I do. I think high thoughts: thoughts that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. Glory to God!*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *Romans 12:1-2* I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. *||*

*||* *1 Corinthians 2:16* For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 8:9-40,
2 Chronicles 33-34

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 2:21-32,
Deuteronomy 17

*EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

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Replace Old Habits With New Ones

Replace Old Habits With New Ones
Sunday, June 18th .
Pastor Chris

_*So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you (James 1:21 GNB).*_

People aren’t born with habits. The reason they’re called habits is because they’re things you do repeatedly under similar circumstances. Habits are acquired—they’re learned—and so the best way to get rid of them is to unlearn them. For example, if you’ve formed a habit of saying the wrong things, you have to learn a new habit of consciously speaking wholesome, gracious, and faith-filled words. The next time you say those wrong words, you tell yourself: “I shouldn’t be saying that.” By so doing, you’re putting a check in your spirit.

If you have a habit of thinking wrong thoughts, you can change it. When those thoughts come to you, you say, “I’m not supposed to think like this.” Observe an important principle here: to change a habit, you not only have to make a decision in your heart; you have to voice it. Remember that the power to control all of your person—your spirit, soul, and body—is in your mouth. So voice your faith; voice your decisions. The power is in your tongue.

If there’s any wrong habit you wish to change, first recognise that the habit isn’t good. Secondly, make the decision to stop it. Thirdly, say, “I’m going to stop this and I’m stopping it now!” When you say that, you begin your process, because faith without works—corresponding action—is dead. Your corresponding action will be to repeatedly check this thing that you’ve been doing by refusing to do it again, and voicing your faith against it.

Some researchers say you form a habit when you do something consistently for six times or more. Imagine that; only six times, and it’s like you were born with it. That means if you practised stopping it and refusing it six times, you’ll develop a new habit. This shows that it involves some work. A new habit wouldn’t drop on you; you’ll have to acquire it. Replace old bad habits with new good ones.

       *CONFESSION*

*The Word of God influences and dominates my thoughts. It produces in me the ability to do right at all times. The world and its negative forces can’t influence my thoughts, because my life is a reflection of the beauty and excellence of Christ! I think only those thoughts that bring Him glory, honour and praise. Blessed be God!*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *Ephesians 4:22-24* That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. *||*

*||* *Colossians 3:8-10* But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: *||*

*||* *Philippians 4:8-9* Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 7:54-8:1-8,
2 Chronicles 31-32

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 2:8-20,
Deuteronomy 16

*EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

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