Open Heavens 15 July 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Salvation: How Genuine?

Topic — Foundation: How Strong? [Saturday 15, July 2017]

Memorise: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. – Proverbs 28:13

Read: 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 (KJV)

9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Bible in One Year: 2 Samuel 5-6, Ezekiel 8:7-18, Hymn: Sing hymn 11

MESSAGE:

God’s offer of salvation is for all those who come to Him. To access this salvation however, there are certain criteria you must meet. For instance, you cannot experience salvation without genuine repentance. Unfortunately, there are people who think that they can be saved even without repenting from their sins. Some people believe that responding to an altar call for salvation is enough. No, it is not! Can you believe that when some people come out to answer an altar call, instead of repenting of their sinful lifestyles, they take pictures? Those who do so can only come out and go back the same way they came. This will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name! Heaven’s demands for obtaining salvation are clearly stated in Proverbs 28:13:

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

If you do not satisfy Heaven’s demand of confessing your sins to God and forsaking your sinful lifestyle, you will never be saved. If you claim to be born again, how did you get saved? Did you confess your sins to God out of a sorrowful heart and resolve not to return to your sinful lifestyle? If your salvation lacks these key foundational pillars, you will need to revisit the salvation experience.

In Luke 13:2-5, Jesus plainly taught His hearers that except they repented, they would perish like those who went before them. God does not want anyone to perish, but He wants us all to repent (2 Peter 3:9). God wants you to change your ways and to stop doing the wicked things you do. It is then you will obtain mercy from Him. Today, the term “born again” has been so abused. Many people say they are born again but they do not even know what it means. If you are truly born again, you will receive genuine salvation that will completely turn your life around (2 Corinthians 5:17). When you come out to receive Jesus, you come out because you are truly sorry for your sins; you come out with a determination to change your ways. You need to come to the altar of God crying to Him for help, not only to forgive you your sins but to also change you inside out. When you do this, you will obtain salvation. 2 Corinthians 7:10says it is godly sorrow that brings about repentance that yields salvation. Are you really born again? If your salvation is not genuine, go back to the cross of Calvary today!

Key Point: Fake salvation can never produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

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.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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Friday, July 14th - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The “Epignosis” Of The Truth

Friday, July 14th .
Pastor Chris

_*…For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).*_

God’s desire is for all men to be saved and come to the knowledge (Greek: Epignosis) of the truth. The reason for bringing salvation to all men isn’t only for them to receive it and escape eternal damnation but also to come into an intimate knowledge, a fellowship or oneness with the truth. That’s when you really start living.

For example, 1 Peter 1:23 says, _*“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”*_ This means you’re born of the Word; you’re the Word in flesh! Your life as a Christian is the manifestation of the Word. God wants you to come to the knowledge of this truth.

Romans 8:28 says, _*“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God….”*_ This means you can’t be disadvantaged or defeated in life; the whole world is yours; you’re an associate of the God-kind. There’s no such thing as failure or poverty when you understand this revelation. These are basic truths revealed to us in the Word; receive and accept them, and your life will be an unending stream of the supernatural.

The Bible talks about those who are _*“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”*_ (2 Timothy 3:7). These are individuals who refuse to yield to the knowledge of the truth of their inheritance and identity in Christ Jesus. As a result, they turn around in circles, and never make progress. You can break the cycle by coming into the knowledge or oneness with the truth of your success, victory, prosperity and glorious life in Christ Jesus. You need to come to the knowledge of the truth that you’re in God’s class.

      *PRAYER*

*Dear Father, I thank you for granting me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you. You’ve granted me the specialized knowledge that enables me to function in your perfect will, now and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

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

*||* *Ephesians 1:18* The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, *||*

*||* *John 8:32* And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 22:22-23:1-11,
Job 36-39

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 8:40-56,
Joshua 10

*EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

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Open Heavens 14 July Friday, 2017 by Pastor Adeboye – Foundation: How Strong?

Topic — Foundation: How Strong? [Friday 14, July 2017]

Memorise: Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. – 1 Timothy 6:19

Read: Psalm 11:3-5 (KJV)

3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

Bible in One Year: 2 Samuel 3-4, Ezekiel 7:23-8:6, Hymn: Sing hymn 16

MESSAGE:

The foundation of any building or structure is very important. According to Proverbs 22:6, if a child is given the right foundation, it will be easy for him or her to build on it and succeed in life. The question then is, what kind of foundation are you laying for your child or ward? Do you know that some parents are the ones who push their children into destruction? For instance, if you have a child whose Christian foundation is not solidly established and you send such a child into the society with liberal values, don’t be surprised to see the child follow ungodly lifestyle. For this reason, when you are considering tertiary education for your child, also put into consideration how that child will access spiritual growth in the institution you want to send him or her to. An ideal school should be able to satisfy the academic, moral and spiritual needs of a child. All these should be well balanced. A child’s foundation is laid from kindergarten to university, after which the child will be able to continue in the righteous path of his or her upbringing. Do your children have a solid foundation in Christ? Is their foundation strong enough to carry whatever will be built on it?

On the other hand, the strength of a child’s foundation is a function of several factors such as: the spiritual level of the parents, the values upheld in that family, the parents’ level of education, the financial resources available to the child, and so on. It is true that you cannot give what you don’t have. This invariably means that as parents, the more you invest in your spiritual life, the greater the chances of giving your children a more solid foundation. Children learn a lot by simply copying their parents. Many parents engage in certain unhealthy habits and their children are watching them. The laughable thing is that some parents who practice unwholesome habits even warn their children not to try such. To believe that their children will take them seriously is to engage in self-deception. Some men have girlfriends and their children are aware of this, but they beg them never to tell their mothers. Some even bring such ladies home and bribe their children to keep their mouth shut. How can such children ever grow up to become faithful to their spouses? The strongest legacy you can give your children is to live the kind of life you desire to see in them.

Prayer Point: Father, help me to lay a very solid foundation for every member of my family.

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.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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Thursday, July 13th - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Living In His Name

Thursday, July 13th .
Pastor Chris

 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27).
 
From the very moment you were born again, the Name of Jesus was named upon you; you were baptized into, and have become a part of that Name. Hebrews 1:4 says He obtained His glorious name by inheritance: _*“Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”*_ Then Romans 8:17 says we’re joint-heirs with Him: _*“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ….”*_ This means whatever belongs to Jesus belongs to you, including His Name.

The importance of a name is the power behind it and all what that name represents. Philippians 2:9-10 tells us God has vested all authority in the wonderful and matchless Name of Jesus: _*“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, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.”*_ Thus, Christianity is living in the Name of Jesus—in His authority.

At the mention of that Name, every knee bows, in heaven, in the earth, and under the earth. Use that Name to cast out devils, heal the sick, raise the dead, and live triumphantly every day to His glory. Jesus said, _*“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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 16:17-18).

The Master gave us the power of attorney to use His Name. We have the authority to act in His stead as His full legal representatives. This means you can go anywhere in the NameofJesus and have heaven’s honour. You can pray in the Name of Jesus and be heard. No demon, sickness or trouble could ever stand against that Name! In His Name, you’re more than a conqueror, a victor, and a champion forever.

Therefore, just as the Bible says, _*“…whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him”*_ (Colossians 3:17).

    *CONFESSION*

*I’m eternally triumphant, living the transcendent life in Christ; I live in, and experience the supernatural every day, because I live in the Name of Jesus. In His Name, I heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, preach the Gospel with power, and manifest His glory everywhere. Blessed be God!*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *Mark 16:17-18* And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 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. *||*

*||* *Luke 9:1* Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. *||*

*||* *Acts 3:16* And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. *||*

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 21:37-22:1-21,
Job 32-35

2-Year Bible Reading Plan:  Luke 8:26-39,
Joshua 9

EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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Open Heavens 13 July 2017 by Pastor Adeboye: Pray in the Spirit

Topic: Pray in the Spirit [Thursday 13, July 2017]

Memorise: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. – Romans 8:26

Read: Romans 8:26-27 (KJV)

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Bible in One Year: 2 Samuel 1-2, Ezekiel 7:5-22, Hymn: Sing hymn 15

MESSAGE:

Prayer is very important for every Christian. Most times, we pray in the language that we speak and understand, but sometimes, we get into a fix, not knowing exactly how best to pray on a particular subject matter. This may be caused by our limited knowledge of the situation or of the people involved in it. There are also times in which we are so weighed down by the pressure of life that our understanding cannot string together the right words with which we ought to pray. Our Heavenly Father knew ahead of time that we would find ourselves in such situations, and so He made provision for the Holy Spirit to help us out at such times. This ministry of the Holy Spirit is revealed to us in Romans 8:26, which says,

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

This passage of Scripture clearly tells us that we do not know how best to pray. In other words, no matter how good you are in crafting prayers, the Holy Spirit knows better what needs to be said in prayer at any given time, and He will help you if only you can pray about issues in the spirit. The Holy Spirit can cover grounds that we cannot cover. For example, I cannot be at the Redemption Camp in Nigeria and know what is going on in Australia, England and other parts of the world, but the Holy Spirit knows everything. Even when I am at the Redemption Camp, I may not know how many women are in the maternity centre, there calling on God to assist them in delivering safely, but the Holy Spirit knows this. So when I do not know how to pray anymore, I hand it over to the Holy Spirit. He knows who needs prayers the most in any part of the world, and He will pray through me for them according to their need, even though I do not realise exactly what I am praying about. This is why I find it quite disturbing to hear that even the Pentecostal circles; there are some churches where they hardly pray in tongues. The Bible says we do not know how to pray as we should. Since you don’t know how to pray, why don’t you let the Holy Spirit help you by praying through you? Pray regularly in tongues. Pray at least for one hour daily, speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gives you utterance.

Prayer Point: Spirit of Truth, knowing my limitations, please pray regularly through me with Your perfect knowledge of my situation.

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.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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Open Heavens 12 July 2017 by Pastor Adeboye: The Restoring Shepherd

Topic: The Restoring Shepherd [Wednesday 12, July 2017]

Memorise: He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. – Psalm 23:3

Read: Psalm 23:1-3 (KJV)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 29-31, Ezekiel 6:8-7:4, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:

For the sheep of the Great Shepherd, the infallible word of God in Psalm 23:3 guarantees restoration of that which is lost. Sometimes, God allows his chosen ones to experience a loss so that they can have the opportunity of experiencing Him as the Great restorer. Be assured in your heart therefore that if you experience a loss that you did not cause by an act of carelessness or disobedience, you can obtain restoration. However, if you fail to ask for restoration, you may not experience it. In Joel 2:23-26, God promise to restore all categories of losses. Every good thing that you have lost shall be restored to you as you hold the Lord to His word, in Jesus’ Name.

Moreover, not only does the Great Shepherd restore physical and material losses to His sheep, He also restores them spiritually. Speaking of spiritual restoration, virtually all believers need this in some measure. In His letter to the Church at Ephesus, the Lord Jesus Christ told the brethren that they had left their first love. In other word, they needed spiritual restoration so that they could embrace the good things they did before, which they had abandoned. Revelation 2:5 says,

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

For many of us, the zeal, love and fire with which we served God when we first became saved have since ebbed. Our commitment, dedication and consecration are no longer the same. In those days, we made some vows to God such as “No Bible, no breakfast”, but are we still true to those pledges? We promised to win the world to Christ, saying that no day would pass without us winning a soul into God’s Kingdom. How true is that today? Some of us are even so shy or afraid of speaking about Jesus at God-given opportunities. We prefer to read books, surf the internet, or visit social media site than to preach in the buses or cabs like we used to. We sure need spiritual restoration! To be restored, you need to recall how committed you were in times past, repent of your lukewarmness and pick up from where you stopped. Go back to consecration and holiness! Go back to reaching out to the lost on a daily basis! Do you know that no day should pass without you prospecting for sinners to be saved into God’s kingdom? Ask God to restore you today!

Key Point: words like consecration, sanctification and dedication which were common place in Christianity of old are now almost completely out of our vocabulary today.

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.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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Wednesday, July 12th - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Your Potentials Are Limitless

Wednesday, July 12th .
Pastor Chris

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God (2 Corinthians 3:5).
 
The word “sufficiency” is the Greek “hikanotes,”which means competence; being qualified enough to be able. When the Scripture says, “Our sufficiency is of God,” it means our competence or ability is of God. No matter the challenges life poses before you, you’re more than able to face them and win. What a life! This has nothing to do with your human ability or connections; it’s about the Christ-life in you.

God has given you a life that makes you more than a man. There’s a divine energy working in you; it doesn’t burn out, neither does it require replenishing. Refuse therefore to be limited by your physical ability. The Holy Spirit—the source of all strength, and Spirit of might Himself—lives in you. That means your potentials are limitless! Christ’s glorious power works in you mightily to achieve results that are beyond human ability and comprehension (Colossians 1:29). Affirm this in your life always.

If you’d take advantage of this divine ability, it’ll make all the difference at school, in your work place and in whatever you do. You’ll go further, faster and do far more excellently than your physical ability can take you. Never feel incompetent, inadequate, or incapable for any task. Christ is your sufficiency; therefore, by His ability at work in you, you can do all things; you’re up to any task. Hallelujah!

Refuse to be intimidated. Fear nothing. Talk bold all the time. Declare who you are, what you have, and your ability in Christ Jesus! This is important, because if you don’t affirm it, you’ll not experience it. Keep declaring that Christ is your sufficiency; therefore, your potentials are limitless. You’re excellent, and have an excellent life. Blessed be God!

                     PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for your divine power that works in me mightily. Christ is my life, my sufficiency, wisdom, and righteousness. He’s made my life beautiful, fruitful, productive and sound! Blessed be your glorious Name forever. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: || Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ||

|| 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ||

|| Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. ||

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 21:17-36,
Job 29-31

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 8:19-25,
Joshua 8

EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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Tuesday, July 11th - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL


*Transformation By The Word*

Tuesday, July 11th .
Pastor Chris

_*...And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] RENEWED and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] KNOWLEDGE after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it (Colossians 3:10 AMP).*_

I’ll like you to observe two words in the opening text. The first is “renewed” and the second is “knowledge.” The Greek word translated “renewed” is the verb “Anakainoo,” and it means a qualitative difference, not in how recent, but in terms of newness; a difference in quality. It’s a word that describes a keyword in 2 Corinthians 3:18: _*“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”*_

The Greek word translated “changed” above is “metamorphoo”; a change in state, form, kind, quality or glory; a continuous transformation. But how is it done? It’s through knowledge; full and exact knowledge (Greek: “Epignosis”). This isn’t just the knowledge of mere or distant acquaintance, but one that relates with that which is known.

You’re being renewed in this full knowledge of God which you gain through meditation and revelation. In “Epignosis,” you become what you know; the knowledge that’s granted you transforms your life. As you receive God’s Word into you, your spirit is renewed, refreshed, polished anew; you glow more and more! It’s the reason you must let the Word of God dwell in you richly, because the more you know Him, the more the glory, anointing, graces, wisdom, and effectiveness of the Spirit, are manifested and increased in your life.

The Lord Jesus said in John 6:63, _*“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”*_ It’s only God’s Word that can impact, transform, brighten and glorify the human spirit. The Word works in your mind by renewing your thinking.

         *PRAYER*

*Dear Father, I thank you for the knowledge of the Word and the transformation it brings to my spirit. As I meditate on the Word, my heart and mind are open for a full, deep and intimate relationship with the Word. Therefore, I grow in grace, and continually, your glory, power, beauty and perfections are manifested and seen in and through me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *Ephesians 1:15-18* Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, *||*

*||* *Acts 20:32* And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. *||*

*||* *Romans 12:2* 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. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 21:1-16,
Job 25-28

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 8:11-18,
Joshua 7

*EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY JULY 11TH 2017

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

TUESDAY JULY 11TH 2017

THEME: LEAVE A MARK              

MEMORISE:
That the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:12

READ: Acts 19:8-10

8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 26-28, Ezekiel 5:13-6:7

MESSAGE:
If you will be used by God to perform signs and wonders in these last days, you must have the heart of a missionary or church planter. In the days of early church, although there was a church in Jerusalem, Philip left his base and went to plant another church in Samaria (Acts 8:5). If God sees you as an incurable church planter, he will gladly use you in the miraculous. Take for instance Paul the apostle: today you would find him in Corinth, tomorrow he would be in Galatia and the next time, you would hear of him being in Colossae. As he travelled round these countries and cities, he kept planting churches. He hardly visited a city without leaving a mark behind for God’s Kingdom. No wonder the Bible records that the kind of miracles God performed through Paul were quite outstanding. Acts 19:11-12 says,
“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.”

There are some lessons we can learn from the experience of Paul in this regard. The first is that having the opportunity to travel around the globe is a great privilege. There are people who enjoy travelling from one country to another. There are some people who are required by their official assignment or business transactions to move across countries. Some go to other places for school or simply on vacation. Whatever the reason for your travels, it is a great privilege. Every Christian traveller is expected to leave a godly mark behind in the places he or she visits. How can you visit a country for a week or two and not share the gospel of Jesus Christ with at least one person? You as a true believer in Christ should be able to have converts in the different countries you visit, and if you are there for a minimum of three to six months, you should be able to start a house fellowship, or even a church. By doing this, you will be opening the door for God to use you for signs and wonders. Have you travelled away from home without winning souls for Christ or establishing a house fellowship or church for His Name? Are you ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Use the opportunity of your travels across different locations to glorify God. Travelling is meaningful if you can leave a mark of God’s Kingdom behind.

KEY POINT:
One way of becoming a father of many nations is to have converts in every country you visit.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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Monday, July 10th - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

*The Essence Of Worship*

Monday, July 10th .
Pastor Chris

_*As they ministered to the Lord , and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them (Acts 13:2).*_
 
The underlined portion is a remarkable construction. Deuteronomy 10:8 shows us something along this line about the Levites: _*“At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.”*_ Today, we’re king-priests unto God, to minister to Him (Revelation 1:6).

Ministering to the Lord is the essence of worship; it’s something you do consciously, not passively. Many Christians wonder why they don’t seem to experience the power of God, as they should; the problem, for the most part, lies in this area. They haven’t learnt how to minister to the Lord in worship. Hebrews 13:15 shows us what, and how, to minister to the Lord: _*“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”*_

Thus, in ministering to the Lord, you offer tribute or speech that acknowledges and celebrates the Name of the Lord. You testify of His greatness, His love, power, righteousness, grace, wisdom, glory and blessedness! Ministering to Him involves consciously lifting your hands in worship, and adoration for who He is, speaking words from your spirit that extol His majesty.

It’s not enough to say, “Lord, I bless you. I praise you and I worship you!” Your worship must have content. You should rather say, “Lord, I praise you, because you’re wonderful, merciful, considerate, so loving and kind; gracious and glorious”; that’s different. You’ve added content. The book of Psalms is replete with spirit-filled and inspiring contents that extol His majesty, and speak of His greatness; you can use some of the examples to make your psalms of praise and worship to the Lord.

        *PRAYER*

*Dear Father, from the depth of my heart, I extol your majesty and revere your matchless Name, for you alone are worthy of all praise. You’re gracious and glorious, righteous, wonderful, kind, and merciful; your loving-kindness is beyond comprehension and your love, unfathomable. You’re great and greatly to be praised. I adore you now and forever. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *Revelation 19:1* And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: *||*

*||* *Revelation 7:11-12* And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. *||*

*||* *Hebrews 13:15 AMP* Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 20:17-38,
Job 22-24

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 8:1-10,
Joshua 6

*EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

*Be A Partner Of Rhapsody Of Realities Today!*

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Open Heavens 10 July 2017 by Pastor Adeboye: The Lord Our Refuge

Topic: The Lord Our Refuge [Monday 10, July 2017]

Memorise: But he passing through the midst of them went his way, – Luke 4:30

Read: Luke 4:16-30 (KJV)

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 24-25, Ezekiel 5:1-12, Hymn: Sing hymn 9

MESSAGE:

God has several names and titles that will definitely benefit His children who have an understanding of the purpose and power in these names. It is one thing to know the names and titles of God and another thing to have the revelation behind them. When you receive the revelation of a particular name or title of God, you are brought into a covenant relationship with Him on the basis of that name, and as a result, you gain access to the benefits that such names or titles confer. May God reveal Himself to you by His Name today!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1

One of God’s powerful titles is that He is our Refuge. A refuge is a kind of shelter or a place of protection from harm, danger, trouble or pursuit of the enemy. Why is God a refuge? It is because He knows that in this evil world, people will encounter lots of dangerous situations and circumstances at some point in their lives. Do you know that even our Lord Jesus Christ faced dangers many times? However, because God the Father was His refuge, He was protected from them all. One instance of this is recorded in today’s Bible reading. After hitting the people of his childhood town of Nazareth with the truth, they became very angry with Him and decided to kill Him. Luke 4:29 says,

“And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.”

This was just one of the several failed attempts made on the life of Jesus Christ until He voluntarily surrendered Himself to die at Calvary (John 10:17-18). From today, every attempt on your life shall fail in Jesus’ Name! You shall not die before your appointed time! Every plan of premature death against you and members of your family shall be disappointed! God is our refuge because of the dangerous and evil times we may have to live through. One fellow who knew God as his Refuge was David. Boy, did he face great storms! Although his eyes saw troubles and great dangers, he could still say that while passing through treacherous valleys, he would not be afraid (Psalm 23:4). He could say this because he knew God as his refuge. God is our Refuge because He knows that the enemy will definitely pursue His children, and so they will need a place to hide. From today, you will hide safely in the Lord! The Lord will be a sure Refuge for you in Jesus’ Name!

Prayer Point: Father, in these perilous times, hide me under the shadow of Your wings.

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.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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Sunday, July 9th - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

He Propels You To Action

Sunday, July 9th .
Pastor Chris

_*For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).*_

How beautiful this is! The Lord causes us to be willing, and then propels us to do His will. The God that works in you is the Holy Spirit; He’s the One here with us and He lives in you. Part of His ministry in your life is to propel you to do the things that are pleasing to the Father; meaning that you don’t have to struggle anymore to know or walk in the Father’s perfect will.

Now, that doesn’t suggest what some people have erroneously believed. They’d say, “If God is going to make me do of His good pleasure, then I’ll do it; if He doesn’t make me do it, then it means it was never His will for me in the first place; so, I’ll just wait until He makes me do it.” That’s not what we read in Philippians 2:13. What the Spirit teaches through Paul the Apostle is our cooperation with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit carries out His ministry in our lives. He’s got a job to do, and that job is in you. The Holy Spirit is called to work in you, but you have to let Him do His job by fellowshipping with Him. The more you have fellowship with Him, the more He carries out His ministry in your life. Fellowshipping with Him makes you willing, so you’d never have any problem doing His will; you’ll always, and at all times, be ready to do His will, because in fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit, He can prompt you.

No wonder the prophet Ezekiel said, _*“And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me”*_ (Ezekiel 2:2). The Holy Spirit can cause you to get up and do or say something, and you’ll be aware. He doesn’t just move you like a robot, no; there’s a consciousness. You’re aware that He’s the one at work in you, propelling you to action. Hallelujah!

         *PRAYER*

*Dear Father, I thank you for the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit that you’ve given me. He’s the One who guides me in excellence. Your wisdom in me is the force that causes me to flourish, excel and be victorious in all things. Through fellowship with you, I’ve become sensitive to your voice, and yielding to your promptings within me. Your blessed works, plans and purposes are accomplished in, and through me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *Hebrews 10:7* Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. *||*

*||* *Colossians 1:29* Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. *||*

*||* *Acts 1:8* But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 20:1-16,
Job 19-21

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 7:36-50,
Joshua 5

*EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*


*Be A Partner Of Rhapsody Of Realities Today!*

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