Open Heavens 17 August 2018 Friday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye – Making A Spectacle

Memorise: “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”- Colossians 2:15

Read: Luke 10:17-24 (KJV)

17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Bible in One Year: Psalm 21-26, Matthew 21:28-46

Open Heavens 17 August 2018 Friday MESSAGE:

In order to show that our Father is in charge of the affairs of this world, it may be necessary for children of God to engage in some spiritual fireworks that would lead to a spectacle. To demonstrate His supremacy over Satan before the whole world, our Lord Jesus Christ made a public spectacle of Satan while He was on earth. He cast demons out with just a word, He commanded unclean spirits and they obeyed Him, and to crown it all up, He made their master, Satan, fall as lighting from heaven (Matthew 8:16, Mark 1:27, Luke 10:18). To show that His superiority over the devil was not a fluke, He also empowered His disciples to make a spectacle of the kingdom of darkness, which they did. Not only did Jesus make a spectacle of Satan in this world, He went to the domain of the kingdom of darkness when He died, and boy, were there fireworks! The highlight of this event is seen in Colossians 2:15:

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Hallelujah! Our Lord triumphantly made an open show of Satan and his cohorts in the spirit realm to show that He reigns supreme in both the natural and spiritual world. To demonstrate the superiority of our God, we also have been mandated to make a spectacle of the kingdom of darkness and their works, just as our Master did.

Elijah was a prophet of God who engaged in a spiritual spectacle that disgraced the kingdom of darkness on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:21-39). Elijah had given the prophets of Baal the chance to showcase the power of Baal, whom they claimed to be supreme. Although they prayed to Baal from morning till evening, nothing happened. 1 Kings 18:27 says:

“And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.”

It was an interesting display which culminated in all onlookers confessing the lordship of the God of Elijah (1 Kings 18:39). After disgracing the devil and making a spectacle of him, our Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 10:19 fortified us with all that we need to victoriously put up a spiritual spectacle like Elijah did. He said to us:

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

With this mandate, instead of the devil making a mockery of us, the reverse should be the case. In your affairs today, use your God-given authority to put the devil down and exalt our God.

Prayer Point: Open Heavens 17 August 2018 Friday

Father, prove Yourself in my life. Let those the devil is using to look down on me begin to look up to me for help as they acknowledge Your supremacy manifesting through me.

Also Read: Open Heavens 16 August 2018 – Pains without Gain

Open Heavens 17 August 2018 Friday Hymn 18: Conqueror and Overcomers Now Are We

1. Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory
If the Lord be for us we can never fail,
Nothing ‘gainst His mighty power can e’er prevail.

Chorus
Conquerors are we, thr’o the blood of Jesus
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood of Jesus
Through the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.

2. In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press,
Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;
Not to us but unto Him the praise shall be,
For salvation and for blood bought victory.

3. Unto Him that overcometh shall be given,
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from Heaven,
Over yonder He the victors palm shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear.

Open Heavens 17 August 2018 Friday 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 17 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: Heart Hunger [Our Daily Bread 16th August 2018 Devotional]

Read: John 6:32–40, Bible in a Year: Psalms 94–96; Romans 15:14–33

I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

Riding along with my husband on some errands, I scrolled through emails on my phone and was surprised at an incoming advertisement for a local donut shop, a shop we had just passed on the right side of the street. Suddenly my stomach growled with hunger. I marveled at how technology allows vendors to woo us into their establishments.

As I clicked off my email, I mused over God’s constant yearning to draw me closer. He always knows where I am and longs to influence my choices. I wondered, Does my heart growl in desire for Him the way my stomach did over the idea of a donut?

In John 6, following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, the disciples eagerly ask Jesus to always give them “the bread that . . . gives life to the world” (vv. 33–34). Jesus responds in verse 35, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” How amazing that a relationship with Jesus can provide constant nourishment in our everyday lives!

The donut shop’s advertisement targeted my body’s craving, but God’s continuous knowledge of my heart’s condition invites me to recognize my ongoing need for Him and to receive the sustenance only He can provide.

Prayer: Dear God, remind me of my need for Your daily bread of presence.

Jesus alone offers the only bread that truly satisfies.

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

This message was written By Elisa Morgan [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

Topic: A Firm Foundation [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 16 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

These things I command you, that ye love one another. – John 15:17

In Luke 6:47-48, Jesus said: “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.”

That’s probably a familiar scripture to you. But today I want you to do something new with it. I want you to put it together with what Jesus said in John 15:17: “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

Love. That one word sums up all Jesus said for us to do. If you’ll build your life on it, even the most violent storms of this world will be unable to shake you. It will make you solid in every area of your life.

If you’ll build your family on love, you can win back those the devil has stolen from you. You can win them to Jesus with the love of God.

If you’ll build your business on love, you’ll prosper beyond your wildest dreams. I had a friend who did that. He went into a television and radio business in his church. He wanted to buy a station from a Jewish man and he offered such a good price for it that the owner was stunned.

“Why would you offer me such a wonderful price?” asked the Jewish owner.

“Because the Word of God says that if I will bless you, God will bless me. So I’m going to see to it that you get the better part of this deal,” answered my friend.

Before it was all over, that Jewish station owner had made Jesus Lord of his life. He and my friend ended up prospering and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ together on the radio.

When love rules, prosperity can flow!

Commit to living the life of love today. Commit to building your house upon the rock. Then when the storms of life begin to blow—at home, at work or in any situation—you can enjoy the solid security of knowing that love never fails.

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

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: Divine Compassion in Full Armour [DCLM Daily Manna 16th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Text: Exodus 22:18-31 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child” (Exodus 22:21,22).

MESSAGE:

God’s compassion for man has been in full light even before the advent of His Son Jesus Christ. This flows from a God of love who throws His might on the side of the weak, the humble and the disadvantaged. Noticing how the wicked system of a Satan-controlled world has deprived the vulnerable his lot, He decided to roll out laws to moderate society and put oppressors in check.

Therefore, the code of conduct presented to the children of Israel shortly after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea is just an instance of the great love God has for His people.

As they headed for the Promised Land and with more challenges ahead, the Lord put into place a divinely guided system of justice superior to what they were used to in Egypt. He demonstrated more of His love when He commanded that there should be no tyrannical treatment of widows, the fatherless, orphans, the poor and strangers. These are the class most trampled upon and deprived. But they are also creatures of the Almighty, whom Christ died for. God doesn’t want them to be denied the essential things of life.

God’s concern for the poor was repeated by Jesus throughout His earthly ministry. It was the opening point of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3). When there was murmuring among the disciples over the issue of leadership, He told them not to relate to each other on a master-servant basis. Both the Old and New Testaments speak volume of the love of God for man. It is a long unbreakable thread of guidelines dealing with divine compassion. This must flow freely from the hearts of saints unto others.

Thought For The Day: God is clothed in the garment of mercy.

Bible Reading In One Year: Jeremiah 32-34

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: The Spirit of Inferiority [Seeds of Destiny 16 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Scripture: And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. Number 13:33

Thought For The Day: When your mind is changed, everything is changed.

The spirit of inferiority imposes inferiority complex or mentality upon people. It is the state of feeling less important, valuable or worthy than others. The spirit of inferiority makes people feel lower in status, appearance, rank or capability. It makes people feel helpless, hopeless, worthless and miserable.

The spirit of inferiority places a terrible limitation on life and destiny; it is the spirit that makes you think that you can never make it in life. This kind of mentality fuels captivity, adversity and calamity.

Now, take note of the following:
i) Mind-set Determines outcome
Your mind-set is the engine room or manufacturing plant of your destiny. So, if failure fills your heart, failure will be manufactured for you. For instance, people easily commit the sin they have been thinking about (Proverbs 4:23).

ii) Mind-set Determines action
You behave the way you believe. You can only move about with audacity if you have an audacious mentality. You apologise to everybody because you have an apologetic mentality (Habakkuk 2:2).

iii) Mind-set is magnetic
What you meditate on determines what you magnetise. The kind of situation, people and circumstance that come your way is a product of what occupies your mind. You cannot change your life until you change your mind, and when your mind is changed, everything else is changed (Ephesians 3:20).

iii) Mind-set either facilitates or frustrates divine intervention
God answers your thinking (Ephesians 3:20). Those who are always negative, pessimistic, doubtful, fearful and timid will never see God at work.

iv) How you see yourself determines how the enemy sees you and handles you
Your evaluation of yourself is how the enemy values you (Numbers 13:33).

My counsel is, see yourself the way God sees you.

Remember this: When your mind is changed, everything else is changed.

Assignments:
1. Make up your mind to study God’s Word daily in order to understand what God says about you.
2. Reset your mind to believe what God says about you from His Word.

Prayer: O LORD, I reject every inferiority mentality; I receive grace to believe what You have said about me, LORD, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DEADLY ENEMIES OF DESTINY (PART 4).

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 11:1 to 12:26, 1 Corinthians 10:14 to 33, Psalm 34:11 to 22, Proverbs 21:14 to 16

Amazing Fact: African Grey parrot is the most intelligent bird in the world.

Today In History: 16/08/1930 – The first British Empire Games were held at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The event is now called the British Commonwealth Games.

Quote: What goes on in your mind determines what flows out of your life. Culled from 10 PRINCIPAL SECRETS OF PRINCIPAL PEOPLE by Dr Paul Enenche.

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.

Topic: You Need A Supernatural Strategy [TREM 16 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

“And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.” Joshua 6: 3

Joshua had to do the unusual for the wall of Jericho to fall. How can you bring down a wall thick enough for four, five, six vehicles to drive on it? How are you going to bring down the walls the enemies have built to hinder your destiny? How are you going to fight the cabals that have positioned themselves in this country? How can you run with the horses except the Lord gives you wings? How will you make it in a country like ours if God does not give you a supernatural strategy?

God said to Joshua, you are not going to fire a shot, I want you to go round the wall once a day and the seventh day go seven times, and the wall came down. No hammer, no bulldozer. They say it cannot be done in your life, but God says don’t give up. He has already gone ahead of you. I see they have tightened the nut and to them, it is a done deal but I see someone stepping in and what belongs to you will come back to you. You will recover all.

In Exodus chapter 3, Moses was hiding when God called him. He was actually born in a time of adversity in Egypt. He was born when Pharaoh had put all the newborn babies on death row and the mother had to preserve him for months before releasing him to the river. God had to supernaturally raise him up in the enemy’s camp. It was strategic! God prepares a table before us in the face of our enemies. God didn’t save you for nothing. God is not done with you. If He is through with you, you will not be here. He has great plans for your life. Eventually, he sent Moses back into Egypt to go and confront Pharaoh. That is strategy!

Further Reading: Exodus 3:1-10

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 94-96; Evening- Romans 15:14-33

“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: God Answers Prayer [Andrew Wommack 16th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Luke 18:7 “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? “

Text: Luke 18:1-8

This is not an exact comparison of God to this unjust judge, teaching us that we should badger God until we weary Him and He grants us our request.

Rather, Jesus is contrasting His willingness to answer our prayers with this unjust judge’s unwillingness. The parable is a contrast, not a representation.

Not only do we have God who is a just judge who will avenge His elect speedily, but we also have Jesus as our advocate or attorney who is always making intercession for us. However, we have an adversary (the devil) who is constantly accusing us and misrepresenting God (the judge). This causes men to give up (faint) and not even plead their case with God because they doubt that He will answer them anyway.

Jesus is saying that our Father is not an unjust judge that we have to pressure into doing what is right. Many times we put more faith in people and their willingness to do what is right than we do in God. Satan has deceived us about the willingness of God to answer our prayers and Jesus is countering that deception with this parable. Jesus is encouraging us to pray (petition God) and not doubt His willingness to grant our requests. To teach that we must pester God until He gives in to our pressure is not good theology.

This widow’s actions were commendable. She knew what was rightfully hers and she refused to take “no” for an answer. If we can be that confident and determined when dealing with unjust men, how much more should we persist, despite the devil’s delays, when dealing with our faithful Father. You can trust Him to always come through for you.

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: Hunger for Righteousness [Billy Graham Daily Devotional 16 August 2018]

I will give to the thirsty the springs of the Water of Life—as a gift! — Revelation 21:6 (TLB)

God says that only those who hunger after righteousness will receive it. God thrusts this heavenly manna on no one. You must desire it, above everything else. Your yearning for God must supersede all other desires. It must be like a gnawing hunger and a burning thirst.

Prayer for the day: Almighty God, my soul is parched and I’m so hungry without the spiritual food You so desire to give me. Take away anything in my life that would cause me not to give You pre-eminence.

“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.