Topic: Stop Looking For Cheap Things [Saturday April 8, 2017]

The queue for cheap things is usually longer than that of costly things. An average man will rather line up for what is cheap because he does not want to stress or strain himself.

Those who look for cheap things will wait for too long on the queue. It may never become your turn to make a mark as long as you are on that queue. Life is too short to remain on that queue.

Be prepared to pay for the fast lane, depart from the slow lane.
It is better to fail taking risk than to remain on the queue hoping and waiting for your turn to come.

Therefore take the risk by jumping the queue.
Pay the price today to obtain the prize tomorrow.

Topic: Be Decisive [Saturday April 8, 2017]

…A man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. — James 1:8

Whatever the problem or situation, decision is always better than doubt and indecision. For example, if you have had a quarrel with someone, it is much easier to decide to apologize than it is to stay angry and be filled with unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment while you are waiting for the other person to apologize to you. Be a peacemaker, and you will have a lot of joy. I spent many years making war; and believe me, the price I paid was high. It cost me my peace and my joy and sometimes my health. Jesus has a way, and we can do it His way and enjoy life. Indecision wastes a lot of time, and time is too precious to waste.

Become a decisive person, and you will accomplish a lot more with less effort. No one learns to hear from God without making mistakes. Don’t be overly concerned about errors. Don’t take yourself too seriously. You are a fallible human being, not an infallible god. Learn from your mistakes, correct the ones you can, and continue being decisive. Don’t fall back into a pattern of indecision and double-mindedness just because you are wrong a few times. If you feel that God is prompting you to give something away, do it! Get it off your mind. Take some action and sow the seed. If you believe it is right, then do it. That is how you will find out for sure.


Devote a reasonable amount of time to waiting on God. Don’t follow fleshly zeal, but do follow your heart. Don’t be afraid of yourself! You will not be the first person to make a mistake, nor will you be the last. The fear of failure keeps thousands trapped in indecision which definitely steals joy and complicates life. Don’t be afraid to make a decision and then follow through on it. Just do it!

Topic: Oblivious To Your True State? [Saturday 8, April 2017]

Memorise: But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. – 1 Timothy 5:6

Read: Revelation 3:14-19 (KJV)

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 15-16, Jeremiah 9:12-26

MESSAGE:

It is amazing that many people are suffering today but they do not realise it. Is it even possible to suffer without knowing it? Of course, it is! The Bible passage in our memory verse points to one of such scenarios. A prostitute and his or her clients think they are enjoying life by indulging in indiscriminate sex and getting paid for it, but in the sight of God, they are dead. The reality of the word of God will knock on their door the day the doctor announces their HIV status. A drunkard also is one who is “suffering and smiling”. The Bible gives a vivid description of the pitiable state of a drunkard in Proverbs 23:31-35. It is also possible for people who profess to belong to God to be oblivious of their true state in the sight of God. For this reason, we must always look at ourselves through the mirror of God’s word, and wait on the Lord in the place of prayer to hear what His opinion of us is.

In today’s Bible text, we see the verdict of our Lord Jesus Christ on the state of the Church of the Laodiceans. After the Lord x-rayed their spiritual life, their self-delusion became apparent for all to see. He gave His assessment in Revelation 3:17:

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

This is food for thought for these churches in these last days which major on the so-called “prosperity gospel” to the detriment of the spiritual well-being of their congregation. Such churches are actually miserable, poor, blind and naked – they are suffering without knowing it. In Acts 3, Peter and John were going for a prayer meeting at the temple, and a lame man looked up to them in expectation of receiving alms from them. Pay close attention to these words of Peter to him in Acts 3:6:

“…Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

The lame man walked because the early disciples were rich in the things of God, even though they were poor in material things. Today, many churches have silver and gold, but they no longer have the effective use of the Name of Jesus Christ. Beloved, let us go back to our first love, rather than groping in the darkness of self-delusion that we are fine. Many problems that were alien to the early Church are now common place in the modern Church. Ministers of gospel are being carried here and there for healing. May God have mercy on us.

Prayer Point: Father, open my eyes to see where I have missed it, and help me to retrace my steps back to You, the Lover of my soul.

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.

Topic: Life Is a Marathon [Friday April 7, 2017]

…In due season we shall reap, if we faint not. – Galatians 6:9

Winning in life is not for sprint but for marathon runners.

Every man’s blessing comes in the end.  Only those that stay to the end, wins. Habakkuk.2.3; Matthew 24:13

Therefore, endure, stay on, tarry on, hold on and follow on.

Reward is in the end.

Promotion and lifting is in the end.

Don’t give up, don’t look around and don’t be weary. Gal.6:9

Never mind the circumstances around you now. 2 Corinthians.4:18

Keep your eyes on the end. Hebrews.12:1-2.

Get excited about where you are now.  Where you are going to is of a higher value than what you are going through.

You may faint or fall in the process but fix your eyes on the end.  Never cease to pursue even when you faint. Judges.8:4.

Topic: Imperfect, but Perfectly Loved [Friday April 7, 2017]

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! — 1 John 4:18

We cannot love ourselves unless we realize how much God loves us, and if we don’t love ourselves, we cannot love other people. We cannot maintain good, healthy relationships without this foundation of love in our lives.

By the time I met the man I have been married to since 1967, I was desperate for love but did not know how to receive it, even when it was available. My husband, Dave, really did love me, but I found myself constantly deflecting his love due to the way I felt about myself down deep inside. As I entered into a serious and committed relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, I began to learn about God’s love. But it took a long time to fully accept it.

When you feel unlovable, it is hard to get it through your head and down into your heart that God loves you perfectly—even though you are not perfect and never will be as long as you are on the earth.

There is only one thing you can do with a free gift: receive it and be grateful. I urge you to take a step of faith right now and say out loud, “God loves me unconditionally, and I receive His love!” You may have to say it a hundred times a day, like I did for months, before it finally sinks in, but when it does it will be the happiest day of your life.

To know that you are loved by someone you can trust is the best and most comforting feeling in the world. God will not only love you that way, but He will also provide other people who will truly love you. When He does provide, be sure to remain thankful for those people. Having people who genuinely love you is one of the most precious gifts in the world.

Trust in Him: You won’t be able to receive God’s love until you trust Him. Take a step of faith right now and say out loud, “God loves me unconditionally, and I receive His love!” Say it as many times as you need to until you believe it.

Topic: There is a Price to Pay [Friday 7, April 2017]

Memorise: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. – Matthew 17:21

Read: 1 Samuel 1:9-11 (KJV)

9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.

10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 14, Jeremiah 8:18-9:11

MESSAGE:

Most good things in life come at a cost. Many Children of God may find it hard to accept this truth, but it doesn’t change its reality. The reason why some children of God may not want to accept this reality of life is that our salvation is freely given to us. They would reason that since the precious salvation of our souls is free, other precious things of the kingdom should also be without a cost. They forget that although salvation is free for us, it came at the expense of the precious Blood of Jesus, shed through His gruesome death on the cross. The fact that it is given to us for free does not mean it was freely acquired by the Giver. Just as a child should not think the bread he is eating freely from his father’s table is actually free – as the father would have laboured for the money with which the bread was purchased – believers also should not think that it cost the Father nothing to give His only begotten Son for the redemption of our souls.

When Jesus Christ was healing the sick and delivering those that were oppressed by demons during earthly ministry, the disciples wanted to perform the same feat. They were however disappointed when they discovered that they could not do what the Master was doing. They therefore asked Him why they could not cast a demon out (Matthew 17:19). Here is the Master’s response to them in Matthew 17:20-21:

“20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

From this response, we understand that you cannot be eating three square meals with snacks in between and expect demons to obey your every command. Years ago, my children in Britain asked me to begin conducting a monthly Festival of Life Service in the U.K. I declined, the reason being that I could not minister at a Festival of Life Service without making adequate spiritual preparations. Hannah, Samuel’s mother, knew that God needed a priest to replace Eli, and so she promised God that if He gave her a son, she would give the boy back to Him. God immediately granted her request because she was ready to pay a price for what she wanted. Beloved, what is the motive behind your request? If it is to glorify God, be sure you will have it today.

Prayer Point: Father, grant me the grace to constantly mortify the deeds of the blood through fasting and prayer, so that Your Spirit may operate freely without hindrance in my life.

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.

Topic: God Is Closer To You Than The Enemy Is [Thursday April 6, 2017]

…Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. – Matthew 28:20

Contrary to man’s thinking that God is far away in time of problems. God is the very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1.

Solution is closer to us than problems are..Genesis 21:19

Light is closer to us than darkness is. Psalm 27:1

God is closer to us than satan is. Psalm 46:1-11, Matthew.28:20.

The door is closer to you than the barrier is.

Whenever you are face to face with the enemy, turn aside and you will see God.

That is what made the difference between Moses and the children of God. Exodus 14:10-16

When you look at the enemy you see an end but when you see God you see a new beginning.

When you set your eyes on the enemy you end as dwarf, but when you look at God you grow as giant.

As the children of Israel looked at the sea and the pursuing Egyptians, they feared but as Moses looked at God he returned bold.

When you see the invisible you dare and do the impossible. Hebrews11:27

When you see the invisible God you endure the existing trying opposition.

Now begin to see opportunities in adversities.

Topic: The Christian Life Is an Adventure [Thursday April 6, 2017]

But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you . . . – 1 John 2:27

God has great adventures for our lives. It’s exciting when He puts dreams and desires in our hearts, but it can also be challenging, because adversity always comes against us when we try new things. That’s why so many people fail to move forward—the roadblocks in the path ahead intimidate them. But instead of giving up at the thought of a challenge, we can choose to be bold, confident and courageous through Christ.

God doesn’t want us to live timid, shy, weak, wimpy, fearful, boring lives. He wants us to be bold, confident and courageous, unafraid to try new things. And it never ceases to amaze me what God will do through a person who simply steps out in faith.

When God asks you to leave the familiar behind—to set out on any new adventure—let His Word encourage you to keep moving forward. Because when you step into what God has for you, His anointing makes the impossible possible.

I want you to let that sink in: God’s anointing (His Presence and power) abides permanently in you. So why should you live a boring life when there’s a great, adventurous life available to you.

Topic: The Poor in Spirit [Thursday 6, April 2017]

Memorise: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:3

Read: Luke 18:9-14 (KJV)

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 13, Jeremiah 8:4-17

MESSAGE:

Some people believe that the poor are automatic candidates for making heaven; hence they see them as being blessed. Nothing could be further from the truth. This error is derived from a wrong interpretation of the scripture in today’s memory verse. No matter how poor you are, if you are not reconciled with your Maker, the Kingdom of heaven is a mere illusion for you. Whereas, you may be as rich as Father Abraham himself was, and when you die, you will still make heaven. Revelation 19:5 says,

“And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.”

Irrespective of whether you are rich or poor, once you meet the condition for admission into the Kingdom of God, you will be granted access. What is this condition? Revelations 21:27 gives us insight into this:

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

The question then is this: What type of “poor” was Jesus referring to in Matthew 5:3? It is the poor in spirit, and not the poor in wealth or riches. Who then are the poor in spirit? They are those who realise their spiritual insufficiency as touching the requirements of God with regards to righteousness, and they have a thirst in their spirit to overcome this inadequacy. This thirst will metamorphose into a search for God and for His mercy. The Almighty God is always waiting to receive such people, and He leads them on the path of righteousness through His Son, Jesus Christ. Like the publican in today’s Bible reading, the poor in spirit have no righteousness of their own, and hence, they cry for the mercy of God. The “rich in spirit” on the other hand will never cry for God’s mercy; they will always rely on their own righteousness. Of such is the Pharisee in our Bible text. Concerning the poor in spirit (the publican), Jesus Christ said “this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. “Therefore, for anyone to enter into the Kingdom of heaven, such a fellow must first humble himself or herself at the Cross of Jesus Christ, confess his or her sins, forsake them with a promise never to return to them again, and then ask for grace to live a life that is pleasing to God Almighty (1 John 1:9).

Prayer Point: Father, I humble myself before Your throne of grace today; please forgive my spiritual pride and take me to Your side by Your mercy. At the end of my life, let me reign with you.

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.

A Promise For You From Bible Promises:

Topic: No Stepping, Go Forward [05/04/2017]

And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: Exodus 14:15. Read: Deut. 1:6-8

Whatsoever you run away from you cannot defeat but has defeated you. No matter the fierceness of the battle, no matter the challenges, don’t be stagnated, go forward. Don’t allow the problem to hold you down, go forward. Don’t allow that sickness to tie you to your bed, rise up, claim your healing and proclaim, ‘By His stripes, I am healed”. 1 Pet 2:24. God wants you to prosper in everything you do, He hates stagnation. He gives power to prosper (Deut 8:28) and rejoices in your prosperity. He wants you to live your days in prosperity and your years in pleasures (Job 36:11) if only you will obey Him absolutely.

Moses told the people (when the egyptians were behind them and the Red Sea at their front), Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Don’t stop trying until you get to the desired destination God ordained for you.

#BiblePromisesPrayer
* Father fight for me, remove all obstacles on my way and give me peace roundabout in Jesus name