Open Heaven 23 December 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Good Measure

Topic: Good Measure (Open Heaven 23 December 2018)

Memorise: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.”- Luke 6:38a

Read: Proverbs 11:24-25 (KJV)

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Bible in One Year: Micah 5-7, John 16:16-33

Open Heaven 23 December 2018 Sunday MESSAGE:

The principle of giving is one of the cardinal principles that God has put in place for the benefit of His children. God wants us to prosper and be wealthy, to the extent that we can afford to lend to nations. However, the measure of God’s liberality to us is determined by our liberality to Him. All of God’s principles are simple and straight forward. This principle we are considering today simply says “Give and it shall be given to you”. In other words, you have to give so as to receive. Unfortunately, as simple as this principle is, many Christians do not apply it, because deep down in their hearts they don’t believe it.

When you sow a seed, you never back the exact seed you gave out. For example, a farmer who plants a water melon seed will reap multiple water melon with much more seeds in them; all from that single seed. That is the meaning of good measure. God always multiples whatever you give Him, and He never owes anyone. He always pays back His debts and that is why Genesis 8:22 says that seed time and harvest will never cease. If you are faithful to your seed time, you can rest assured that He will be faithful enough to give you your due harvest.

Why do many people sow without receiving in good measure? This might be because they don’t give willingly. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says that we must not give grudgingly or as though we are under compulsion. In other words, for us to reap the benefit of our sowing, it must be done willingly from the heart. Our God loves a cheerful giver, and for this reason, aside from the fact that you have to willingly give, you also have to do it joyfully. I was invited to a certain church a while ago, and because I was there, they were calling for all manner of offering. I was getting annoyed already when they still called for one more offering. Grumbling, I put my hand in my pocket to get money out and I heard God say to me, “Keep you money! If you want to grumble while giving me an offering, then don’t bother”. I quickly changed my attitude before giving the offering. Do you know that if you grumble to give an offering, you are just throwing away your money? That sort of offering is not accepted by God, it is better for you not to give at all.

Correct your attitude to giving from today. Whenever you have the opportunity to give, remember that when you give joyfully, you will also receive in good measure.

Open Heaven 23 December 2018 Sunday Key Point:

A cheerful giver is a guaranteed receiver.

Also Read: Open Heaven 22 December 2018 – The Prince of Peace

Open Heaven 23 December 2018 Sunday Hymn 6: A New Thing
(Tune: There shall be showers of Blessing)

1. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because GOD will do new things
Sinners will soon be forgiven
Prodigals will come home soon.

Chorus:
Shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Rivers in desert now flowing
Halleluyah to our king.

2. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sickness and sorrow will be gone
Bondage will be forgotten.

3. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
The barren will be fruitful soon
Failure will be forgotten

4. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Poverty will be forgotten
Stagnancy will soon be gone.

5. We will soon shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
To all miracles are given
There shall be celebrations

6. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Many will have testimonies
Of prayers answered fully

7. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
One of us will chase a thousand
Two will conquer ten thousands.

8. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Songs of praises we will sing
Halleluyah to our King.

Open Heaven 23 December 2018 Sunday 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. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 23 December 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional.

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

Fitting the Pieces to Form a Whole (Part 2) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Fitting the Pieces to Form a Whole (Part 2)

Dear Reader,

The major reason for crises in families today is the failure for couples to realise that they are different. Hence, they perceive life differently and want different things from each other. The truth is: A person will always have conflict with what he or she does not know. If you do not know what your husband or wife expects of you, you might end up doing everything in futility, though right in your eyes.

Therefore, in continuation of our fitting pieces to make a wholesome family life, I will be examining what makes a man different from a woman and areas each person needs the other to fulfill destiny. Ignorance of these vital aspects of every couple can be dangerous. However, because of the knowledge you will be exposed to today, your marriage will be spared. You will enjoy the bliss God has designed for your home. The truth is: Though man and woman were both created in the image of God, their differences are only functional. When God made the woman and presented her to Adam, he said, this is now… bone of my bones. In other words, “This person is exactly like me in structure.” Secondly, he said, this is now … flesh of my flesh (Genesis 2:23). She is exactly like me in all her physical qualities and in all of her emotional and psychological ability. Adam saw that though they were the same but have some distinct features that made them unique to each other. People should not equate being different to being less. I want you to know that a woman is not less than a man because she is a woman, and a man is not less than a woman because he is a man. Their differences are necessary because of their purposes.

What Men Like:

Respect: Men like respect and he wants his wife to respect him. As a woman, you must make sure you reverence and respect your husband. This is stated clearly in the Word of God: And the wife see that she reverence her husband (Ephesians 5:33). The man may not be refined as you, to maintain peace at home, you need to respect him.

Obedience: Men like an obedient wife; no man likes an argumentative wife. It is important for you to know as a woman that your arguments can cause more trouble than you can cope with at home. You must learn to obey your husband because he is the head of the home. Whatever you want to discuss with your husband, wisdom demands that you communicate gently and not in argument. Never allow any issue to degenerate into arguments which can build up anger and graduate to physical fight.

Good Food: No matter how spiritual a man is; he still likes good food. Man needs physical food to survive. As a woman, take out time to study what food your husband really like and what is good for him, and cook it the way he likes it. When he is satisfied, his soul blesses you.

Clean Home: No man likes a dirty environment. As a woman, you should learn to keep the home and the environment clean and tidy. Your wardrobe and toilet need to be kept clean. Cleanliness they say is next to godliness. Pay the price of cleanliness and you will enjoy a good atmosphere.

Good Looking Wife: As a woman, you need to appear neatly to your husband both publicly and privately. The way you dress determines the way you will be addressed. You must learn how to keep yourself neat and attractive. You have to be presentable as a wife, so that your husband will be proud to introduce you to anybody. Remember that you are your husband’s extension as a wife. Be good looking inside and out!

A Prudent Wife: Prudence is simply a sense of judgment. Men like women that are prudent; don’t be a wasteful person. Spend wisely whatever your husband makes available to you. Money is a medium of exchange, but if it lacks prudence, it can become a medium of exchange of blows and punches between husband and wife. Prudence has its root in accountability. Keep accurate records and write down what you want to spend per time. Accountability will bring you favour and trust.

What Women Like:

Companionship: Women like friendship at all times, they want to be spoken to. Men, you need to be with your wife, go out together, tell her how you feel about her, recognise her person, beauty, input at home and praise her. Always give her a listening ear. Time spent with her is no waste, but invested. Let her be your best friend. It is important that you to know that as couples grow older, desires fade, but friendship remain.

Compassion: This is one of Jesus’ character as the head of the Church (Matthew 9:36; 14:14; Mark 1:4). You need to identify with her, invest in her happiness, assist and support her wherever and whenever you can. Be a help indeed, not a hurt. Remember your strength is for protection, not for bullying and barking. Show her tenderness, affection and demonstrate to her that you care. You need to let her know that she is a part of you in words and deeds.

Responsible Husband: Responsibility is the price for greatness. Every woman wants a responsible man as husband; financially, physically and otherwise. That is why marriage is not for boys, but for “men”. Maturity to a great deal will determine how responsible you are!

Romance: As a husband, you must learn to be romantic. Women like continuous courtship in the context of marriage. Continue to do better those things you used to do before marriage. Give expression to your love for her. Love grows, it is your responsibility to make it grow. Express your love in thought, words and in actions. Give cards and gifts on special occasions. It is not the volume that counts, but the value you place on it. You shall not fail!

You can’t however, practice all of these tips, without the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit only comes on those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their lives. If you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, then say this prayer in faith:

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom. Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21). With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ name!

Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204. For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

“Please click HERE to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo”

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.