Open Heavens 26 August 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye – Living Under Baby-Rulers?

Topic: Living Under Baby-Rulers?

Memorise: “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.”– Isaiah 3:12

Read: Matthew 15:12-14 (KJV)

12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Bible in One Year: Psalm 69-72, Matthew 26:6-25

Open Heavens 26 August 2018 Sunday MESSAGE:

There is a scarcity in the Body of Christ today, which only those who are sensitive to the Spirit will discern. The scarcity is neither a scarcity of food or drink nor of ministers or workers; rather, it is a scarcity of mature leaders. This is a source of concern to those who are awaiting the Lord’s second coming, because we need mature leaders to prepare the Bride for the Bridegroom. We have a crop of leaders in the Church today who can best be described as babes. As perfectly captured by Prophet Isaiah in today’s memory verse, these are causing spiritual oppression in the Body of Christ. The current situation at hand can be likened to the situation Jesus met during His first advent, captured in our Bible reading. When the Lord exposed the ignorance and hypocrisy of the religious “baby-leaders” of His time, His disciples were afraid, and they came to let Him know that the Pharisees were offended by His teachings. In Matthew 15:13-14, Jesus responded to their fears with those words:

“….Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

Furthermore, in His encounter with Nicodemus, the Lord lamented his ignorance of spiritual matters, even though he was a top religious leader. In John 3:10, Jesus said to him:

“… Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?”

Thank God Nicodemus was humble enough to learn from the Lord, and he eventually became a disciple of Christ (John 19:39-40). This is the response expected of the baby-leaders in the Church today.

There was an unmarried young man in our church many years ago. Although he has no martial experience, there was almost nothing he would not teach concerning marriage and childbearing. One of his opinions at that time was that when a woman is in labour, all you need to do is bind the devil, loose the baby and the child will just come forth! With his untested spirituality, he intimidated many married brothers and sisters. He then got married and his wife became pregnant. On the day of delivery, this brother did what he had taught others to do: he bound the devil and loosed the baby, but his baby refused to come forth. After some days of agonizing labour in which his wife still could not deliver the baby, he ran into the bush, lay flat on his face and pleaded with God for mercy. After this, his wife delivered their baby. He then understood that his wife’s delivery was only by God’s mercy. It is always dangerous to be under the ministration of baby pastors because more often than not, their exuberance does not yield results when push comes to shove.

Prayer Point: Open Heavens 26 August 2018 Sunday

Father, as I grow in knowledge, let me grow in grace to correctly apply this knowledge wisely, in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Open Heavens 25 August 2018 – Rapturable?

Open Heavens 26 August 2018 Sunday Hymn 15: Nearer My God To Thee

1. Nearer, my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be.
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!

2. Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down.
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!

3. There let the way appear
Steps unto heaven;
All that Thou send’st to me
In mercy given:
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!

4. Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!

Open Heavens 26 August 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 26 August 2018.

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.

Topic: Your Weakness Is God’s Opportunity [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Saturday August 25, 2018]

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. — Isaiah 61:1

Do you ever feel hopelessly weak and down on yourself? God wants you to know that the only power weakness has over you is the power you give it.

Disliking yourself because you have weaknesses opens the door to trouble that can affect many areas of your life. But human weakness is no surprise to God. In fact, it is an opportunity for His strength and power to be made perfect in your weakness.

As you meditate on the truth of this promise, make a decision that you will not get so disturbed about your weaknesses that you fail to recognize them as great opportunities for God. Stop grieving over your weaknesses and start receiving God’s grace, strength, and power.

Prayer Starter: Father, I ask for Your help to see myself the way You see me. Help me to view my weaknesses as opportunities to receive your grace and strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

Topic: Jesus Paid The Price [Andrew Wommack 25 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Jesus told His disciples many times of His death but this is the first time He indicated the reason for His death. Now it is clear that His death would be a “ransom”, defined in the Greek as a means of loosing by paying a price.

The words “ransom” and “redeem” were used interchangeably in scripture.

Not only would Jesus pay the price for sin but also His death would be substitutionary. In 1 Timothy 2:6, the word “ransom” is taken from the Greek word “antilutron” which means “a redemption-price.” The Greek word “anti” means “in place of.” In other words, the ransom avails for all who will accept it (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 10:13).

The price paid for our redemption is the life of Jesus, that is, Jesus’ blood (Col. 1:14). This redemption, according to Hebrews 9:12, is eternal and is intended to purify us from all iniquity (Ti. 2:14), and bring us to serve the living God (Heb. 9:14).

This can be illustrated by the way we use trading stamps. First, the stamps have to be purchased, then they are redeemed for the desired product. The purchase is essential but so is the redemption. No one really wants the stamps. They want what the stamps can be redeemed for. The purchase for our total salvation has already been made with the blood of Jesus, but our bodies have not been redeemed yet. That is to say that we have not received yet, all the benefits of this transaction in our physical bodies. This will take place at the second coming of the Lord when we receive our new glorified bodies.

Our spirits are the only part of us that have experienced total redemption.

Thank God for the redemption He has provided for you today.

Also Read: Andrew Wommack Daily Devotional

This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).

Topic: Generous Givers [Our Daily Bread 25 August 2018 Devotional]

Read: 1 Chronicles 29:1–14, Bible in a Year: Psalm 119:1–88; 1 Corinthians 7:20–40

Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. – 1 Chronicles 29:14

After reviewing all God had already done throughout our church’s history, leaders presented the congregation with a proposal for a new gym to help us better serve our community. The leadership team announced they’d be the first to sign pledge notes to fund the construction. I initially prayed with a heart soured by selfishness, not wanting to offer more money than we had already committed to give. Still, my husband and I agreed to pray for the ongoing project. While considering all God continued providing for us, we eventually decided on a monthly offering. The combined gifts of our church family paid for the entire building.

Grateful for the many ways God’s used that gym for community events since we celebrated opening its doors for ministry, I’m reminded of another generous giver—King David. Though the Lord didn’t choose him to build His temple, David invested all his resources to the project (1 Chronicles 29:1–5). The leaders under him and the people they served gave generously too (vv. 6–9). The king acknowledged all they’d contributed had first been given to them by God—the Creator, Sustainer, and Owner of everything (vv. 10–16).

When we recognize God owns it all, we can commit to grateful, generous, and faithful giving for the benefit of others. And we can trust the Lord will provide—and may even use the generosity of others to help us when we’re in need.

Prayer: Lord, please help us remember You own it all as we commit to giving You our all, willingly and selflessly.

God gives first, and He always outgives His most generous givers.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Xochitl Dixon [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: Ingredients for Winning [TREM 25 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death”. Revelation 12:11

You are redeemed with the precious blood of the lamb without spot. If you walk in the light as He is in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses you from all unrighteousness. Always lean on what Christ did on your behalf through His death, burial and resurrection because it’s not about what you do but about what He has done. If you try to leverage on what you have done or what you will do, you will always see weakness and failure. But it is what He has done. What He has done is completely complete and perfectly perfect.

The second ingredient is the word of your testimony. Testimony is of two sides. One is the testimony of God’s goodness upon your life. Many often do not testify. There is a lot of protection that you get by testifying among the saints of the goodness of God on your behalf. Some of you allow the devil to deceive you and say” don’t tell them. If you tell them witches will take it away from you. That’s a lie! Testimonies make you whole. God does extra for you when you testify.

The second aspect of testimony is to call the things that be not as though they were. Declare what God said concerning your life. You shall have whatsoever you say. What are you saying and what are you believing? Don’t be afraid to say it. Let them call you names. You will laugh last. When you begin to speak, what God wants you to speak, everything will be gravitating towards it.

And the third ingredient is that they loved not their lives unto the death. This means commitment. Commitment is the third winning ingredient and it is what God is asking from us. You are guaranteed that when you stand for God you will never lose.

Further Reading: 1 Peter 1:18-19, Mark 11:23

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 119:1-88; Evening- 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

Topic: The Purity of Marriage [Billy Graham Daily Devotional 25 August 2018]

Whatsoever things are pure . . . think on these things. — Philippians 4:8

Nowhere does the Bible teach that sex in itself is a sin. Man in his sinful nature has taken what was intended to be a glorious and complete act of love between two people and has made it something low, cheap, and dirty. The Bible is one of the world’s outspoken books on the subject of sex, and the Bible condemns sex outside the bonds of matrimony. The fact that immorality is rampant throughout the nation doesn’t make it right; the fact that some clergymen may condone it doesn’t make it right. The Bible says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25). Under Jewish law adultery was punishable by death. Under God’s law today it also results in spiritual death.

Prayer for the Day: All around me, breaking Your laws is made so enticing, Father. Help me to keep my eyes on Jesus.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.

Topic: Choose Friends Wisely [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 25 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

I wrote you in my [previous] letter not to associate [closely and habitually] with unchaste (impure) people. – 1 Corinthians 5:9, The Amplified Bible

The company you keep has such an influence on your spiritual life. Fellowshiping with godly people will help speed you on to victory, while fellowshiping with those who are ungodly will drag you down to defeat.

That’s why the Bible has some things to say about your friends. That’s why it tells you to separate yourself from the world. Because evil companions will corrupt you.

Now, I’m not talking about ministry. Jesus Himself ministered to sinners. You have to mix with them to preach to them and pray for them. What I’m talking about here are the people you choose for friends.

If you want to walk in the things of the Lord, don’t choose friends who walk in the things of the devil, people who talk and act ungodly, who don’t give God any place in their lives. They’ll pull you down. As you rub shoulders with them, you’ll expose yourself to temptation. You’ll get so familiar with sin it will start to appear less repulsive to you. Sooner or later, you’ll fall into it.

So choose your friends wisely. Fellowship with those who call on the Name of the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22). Expose yourself to their love and peace. Let their faith rub off on you!

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

Topic: Let Him Decide [DCLM Daily Manna 25 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Text: Genesis 26:1-5 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of” (Genesis 26:2).

MESSAGE:

A story was told of a man who have a promising job. With this job, he could rise to a great position in future. But because of the frenetic rush to travel abroad, he forsook his job. On getting there, he could only lay hands on a menial job that only elementary certificate holders could do in his country. He quickly came back to takeover his former employment in his country notwithstanding the years wasted. Today, he occupies a prime position and enjoys blessings he could never have enjoyed in the other country.

God told Isaac not to go down to Egypt despite the famine in his state of nativity. In Egypt, even when there was no rain, River Nile was always there to provide water for the lands. Crops grew from time to time despite low precipitation. There was always food when there was famine in other lands. Egypt would have been the best decision for Isaac, but the nation is identified with former ways of life. So, God told him not to go.

Many times, we are tempted to make decisions like this. Out of expediency, we may be at crossroads, not knowing what next to do. This is the time we need to go to God to direct us in taking the right decision. But we must have a ready mind to hear from God because He will not force His decision on us. We must depend upon him and refuse to lean on our own understanding.

God sees the future and knows the end right from the beginning; so, He has reasons for withholding us, or warning us against doing some things. A willing mind will always have a willing God to direct him.

Thought For The Day: Going to Egypt against God’s will is walking away from His wise counsel.

Bible Reading In One Year: Lamentations 1:1-3

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

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.

Topic: Consequences of Lack of Divine Direction [Seeds of Destiny 25 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Scripture: The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

Thought For The Day: It is the voice of God that makes a person to be in charge in life.

The Scripture makes it clear that satan, our enemy, moves about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). His mission is to steal, kill and destroy and make people not to fulfil their destiny. One way to resist the devil is to be conscious of the deadly enemies of destiny which are his ploys to wreck the destinies of God’s children.

Now, one of the deadly enemies of destiny is disregard for Divine direction. It is lack of regard for divine direction.
It is disaster for a person to live a normal life of waking up in the morning, going to work and coming back in the evening without maintaining contact with heaven.

Now, I will like you to take note of the following consequences of a lack of Divine direction:
i) There can be no destiny without direction
You cannot reach where you are meant to reach in life if you do not have a direction.

ii) Where there is no direction, disaster is inevitable
In aviation accidents happen when the plane loses contact with the control tower. When bearing is lost, a crash is inevitable. If there is no contact between you and heaven, disaster is inevitable.

iii) Where there is no direction there is minimal progress
Where there is no direction, there must be stagnation or minimal progress. People do not leave where they are in life because they do not know what to do.

iv) Where there is no direction, there can be no dominion
The children of Issachar had understanding of the time to know what Israel ought to do, so, all their brethren were at their command (1 Chronicles 12:32). It is the voice of God that makes a person to be in charge in life.

v) Where there is no direction, there is absolute frustration
The absence of direction equals the abundance of frustration; when a person does not know what to do, he is full of dissatisfaction and frustration

Beloved, my counsel is, refuse to live a life without direction.

Remember this: It is the voice of God that makes a person to be in charge in life.

Assignments:
1. Refuse to be limited in life for lack of direction.
2. Passionately ask God to direct you in all areas of life.

Prayer: O Lord, I refuse to be limited in life due to lack of direction. I ask that You give me directions in all areas of my life, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DEADLY ENEMIES OF DESTINY (PART 6)

Daily Bible Reading: Job 16:1 to 19:29, 1 Corinthians 16:1 to 24, Psalm 40:1 to 10, Proverbs 22:1

Amazing Fact: Ostriches have three stomachs

Today In History: 25/08/1840 – Joseph Gibbons received a patent for the seeding machine.

Quote: Only one Word, one revelation, one inspiration, one direction; only one thing God will tell you will change your story. Culled from 21 FOOLISH THINGS PEOPLE DO by Dr Paul Enenche

Don’t Forget To Attend: The six over-flooded Destiny Recovery Services tomorrow by 6 am, 7:20 am, 8:40 am, 10 am 11:20 am & 12:40 pm. Invite someone to church.

Also Read: Seeds of Destiny by Pastor Paul Enenche

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities

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.