Child Of Destiny ~ Pastor E.A Adeboye

Memorise: And he shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS for heshall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

Read: Jeremiah 1:4-5,

4Then the word of theLordcame unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.(KJV)

Bible in one year: 2nd Chronicle 18:1-20:23, Ecclesiastes 2:1-8

MESSAGE

Before the earthly existence of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, His destiny had been foretold. Do you also believe that according to the Word of God, before you were formed in your mother’s belly, the Lord knew you? Do you really believe that before your physical existence on the face of the earth, the Lord had ordained you for His purpose? If you believe this, then I congratulate you. With this assurance, you can be confident of the fact that you are not an ordinary person; you are a child of destiny. God has a plan for you and it is a good plan. The most important thing you need to do is to find out what you must do to secure this glorious destiny in Christ Jesus. I have illustrated this several times through the story of two friends who decided to seek the help of an oracle to know what lay in the future for them. As for the first one, after due consultation with the oracle, he was assured that he would be a future monarch who would rule over a kingdom. His friend however was told that he would die a servant.

Upon returning from the oracle, the one who had been told he would become a king decided to remain passive and crossed his legs, waiting for the day of his coronation. The one who had been destined to be a servant encouraged himself by saying “at least I can be useful to myself”. He went deep into the bush, far out of the town and began to farm on a large piece of land there.

After several years, there was a heavy famine in the land. When the people discovered that there was someone somewhere in the wilderness who had a large farm to feed the entire community, they decided to make him their king as long as their feeding was guaranteed. The other man who was day dreaming and waiting for his coronation eventually became his servant. Even the wisest king ever said, “There is an evil which I have seen upon the earth. I have seen princes walking and servants riding upon horses.”

There is a part you have to play if you must arrive at the plan of God for your life. Moses, as a child of destiny, was destined to be a deliverer for the children of Israel. He had the full backing of the Almighty God and he remained supernaturally in command. Jesus Christ had a mandate to save the world, and He fully achieved that mandate from you. You also have a glorious destiny in Christ Jesus, and you must protect it and never allow anything to steal it.

The Christian life is that of continuous warfare. We are at war against Satan and he is trying all he can to take us down. You must resist him and not faint in your spirit. We must ask for wisdom from God so that we can put the devil where he belongs (under our feet). Be prayerful and continue to dwell on the Word of God at all times.

Key Point
Every child of destiny runs away from all appearances of evil.

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.

Read More

The Lord, My Healer ~ Pastor E.A Adeboye

Memorise: Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. –John 2:4

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 (KJV)

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 14:17, Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

MESSAGE:

God is a God of time and purpose. There is no lateness with God and in His own time, He does as He pleases and makes everything beautiful.

There are many things you will never access from God until you have an understanding of the principles of timing. To have testimonies that will stand the test of time, you must learn to wait upon God in patience and perfect obedience. Unfortunately, many people are not willing to wait for God. In their own wisdom, they believe God's time comes too late, so they go about 'quickening' things up. We live in a world where people want to be announced before their set time. They want quick fame and glory. They get carried away with the glories of others without asking about their stories. When things do not work out at the time they want, they begin to cut corners, unfortunately, every time they cut corners, they short-change themselves.

One of my sons said that "proper preparation prevents poor performance". This is true because God will only reward those who wait and prepare for his appointed time. It doesn't matter how fast others are travelling, just ensure you are in the will of God and all those you think have gone ahead of you will soon ask for the secret of your stability. There is the need to contentedly believe that God has everything under His control. In life, God has established seasons by which we will experience different phases. In the plan and timetable of God, there is a season to rejoice over things that are good and there is a time to identify with those who are experiencing joy. Never allow your own times of doing things be set at variance with God's time.

The truth remains that no matter how far you think you can strategize, you can never have anything better than what God has in store for you. There are many people who are presently looking in the wrong direction, when God brings their blessings, they will miss the opportunity. Elisha never allowed the voice of the 50 sons of the prophet to distract him from God's timing and purpose. There were several distractions and discouragements but he stayed to the end and got a double portion of his master's anointing.

Are you tired of waiting upon the Lord? Don't be. Every moment you spend waiting faithfully on the Lord can never be wasted. As you wait upon the Lord, you are saving time and not wasting it, you can be sure that at the end, nothing will be lost.

Prayer Point: Father, help me not to miss my time and chance.

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.

Read More

A Glass Of Water ~ Pastor E.A Adeboye

Memorise: For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. –Mark 9:41

Read: James 2:14-18 (KJV)

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 10-12, Ecclesiastes 1:1-5

MESSAGE:

The Bible has laid much emphasis on the art of giving, especially to God, the poor, widows, and our neighbours. Galatians 6:9 enjoins us not to be weary in doing good. One good thing we must not be tired of is sowing. To access your greatest financial harvest, continuous, consistent quality sowing is required. Your first seed may open the door to blessings, but keeping the door open requires persistent sowing. Are you already calling it quits with sowing just because you cannot quantify the returns of previous seeds?

Don't! You may be closing the door it took you so much effort to open! In the case of the widow of Zarephath, it took the sacrificial cake she gave on meeting Elijah the first day to open her door to abundance. If she had stopped at that, her miracle would have expired long before the end of the famine, but she did not. She kept the door permanently open by making cakes for Elijah daily for the entire period. Your first seed must have the backing of the other seeds if you will experience your ultimate financial breakthrough. Some people have pegged their blessing or limited the space through which their blessings come.James 2:14says:

"For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward."

Another relevant example is King Solomon. His first notable seed was when he sacrificed 1000 cows(1 Kings 3:4-15). This opened the doors of wealth, wisdom, and honour to him. But he did not stop there. In fact, immediately he got up from his revelational dream, he responded to God's answer by offering more. And he continued and increased his seed. In1 Kings 8:63, he gave God an offering of 22,000 oxen.

Solomon continued to increase in wealth because he sustained his giving. He became so prosperous that they lost count of his wealth. In fact,1 King 10:24-27says the whole world sought after the wisdom of Solomon and choice things as silver and cedar become common place in his kingdom.

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?" –James 2:14He later concluded that"faith without works is dead."

Do you know that like King Solomon, God can bless you to the point that the business idea He gives you could be sought after by the whole world? It is possible for what people consider as priceless treasures to become common place to you. But there is a price you must pay continuously. You must not stop sowing. The door the Lord has opened to you which you were already closing by refusing to sustain your seeds will be kept wide open from today. However, play your part. Like Solomon continue to increase your seeds.

Prayer point: Father, please make me a giver and use me to provide solutions to the problems of many in Jesus' name.

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.

Follow @MyGospelVibez

Read More

The Trial Of Faith ~ Pastor E.A Adeboye

Topic: The Trial Of Faith [Sunday 29, May 2016]

Memorise: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: –1 Peter 4:12

Read: 1 Peter 1:1-7 (KJV)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 5:2-7:3, Proverbs 31:1-15

MESSAGE:

Faith, by its very nature, must be tried, and the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God’s character has to be cleared in our own minds. Faith in its actual working out has to go through spells of isolation. Never confuse the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life. Much that we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith in the Bible is faith in God against everything that contradicts Him – ‘I will remain true to God’s character whatever He may do’. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” – this is the most sublime utterance of faith.

Trials of faith are difficult to bear; for they cause heaviness or depression of the mind,(Hebrews 10:32).“Why art thou cast down, O my soul! And why art thou disquieted within me?” is often the language of the child of God. But ought he ever to be cast down? Ought he not to be superior to the trials of life, and to soar above them as on eagles’ wings? No; Christianity is not Stoicism, and, if a believer does not feel his troubles, there would cease to be such, and it would not affect their purpose and design. While, he does not yield to a spirit of dejection, or allow it to overcome him, he must feel when in the furnace or trial even as did our Lord Himself. In the presence of others, however, he should endeavour to be cheerful, and the more so if he occupies a public position in the Church, so that he doesn’t discourage those around him. When Joseph’s brethren appeared before him, he felt deep emotions, and could scarcely restrain himself. He left them, therefore, that he might weep in secret before God, and then he returned, relieved of the oppressive load(Genesis 43:30-31).

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” –1 Peter 4:12

Trials of faith should be endured because they are temporary. Trials are not supposed to be permanent fixtures in life, they are for a season.

A day of adversity comes, when darkness intercepts the skies, when the storm sets in on every side, when not a gleam of light shines upon the path you tread; and then, perhaps, you hastily concluded that it will always be so.

But no; sorrow endures for the night, but joy comes in the morning. It is only for a while that the trials lasts, and before long there is an opening in the clouds, the sun’s bright beams burst through them again, and you are filled with hope and joy. There are some trials, which are life-long in their effects, and can never be forgotten, like a deep wound in the flesh which, though healed, leaves a scar which must be carried to the grave. But the longest trials, and those which leave the deepest wounds, are only for a season – the season of our earthly life, and in a brighter sphere we shall forget them all, or remember them only as the wounded soldier remembers what he has passed through when he returns victorious from the field of battle.

May you receive strength to bear your trials and to overcome all in Jesus’ name.

Prayer Point:Father, please don’t let me fail in the trials of life in Jesus’ name.

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.

Read More

Leadership By Example ~ Pastor E.A Adeboye

Topic: Leadership By Example [Saturday 28, May 2016]

Memorise: If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. –John 13:14

Read: John 13:12-17 (KJV)

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 1:1-5:1, Proverbs 30:18-33

MESSAGE:

There is nothing more fulfilling than a life of service. Jesus Christ washed the feet of His disciples to set an example of what leadership is. Jesus Christ being our Lord and Saviour, our Master and Instructor, has proven to us that leadership is not title but service. It is service that shows relevance. One may have a title and not be relevant in the scheme of things. That should not be heard of among the children of God. Even though He was the master, yet, He condescended so low in humility to serve His disciples. This means a leader irrespective of the position he occupies must never forget that the essence of that position is to serve the people that God has entrusted in his care. Every leader must emulate people like Gideon and Abimelech who led by service. Judges 9:48 says:

"And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done."

As ministers of the gospel, we are to show grace, humility and love at every given time. We must serve the interest of those the Lord has put in our trust at every given time. You as a leader should not lord it over people. People should not obey you simply because of the office you occupy. They should respect you for the value you are adding to their lives. Our knowledge of Jesus as the creator of all things who still stooped low to clean the feet of those people He created should make us think twice. We must be able to go the extra mile for the physical and spiritual needs of the people we are leading. The Bible demands that whoever will be great should be a servant(Matthew 20:27).

The essence of the anointing of God in your life is not for show but for service. Service is a fundamental aspect of leadership. The moment you remove service from your life, there is no room for good leadership. People should see the good example you are showing and praise God for your life. There are people occupying one office or the other and they have become principalities and powers to those they are supposed to serve. They use the instrument of office to oppress others. This is not the example that Jesus set. Invest in people, and they will give you their commitment and loyalty. Value people genuinely, and they will respect you. A true leader is identified by the value he places on those under him. You must labour more than those under you. Apostle Paul was a latecomer but he laboured more than others, and he admonished us to follow in his footstep as he followed Jesus Christ. Leadership is awesome, but you need the wisdom of God to be able to lead well. The Lord will assist you in Jesus' Name.

Prayer Point:Father, let my life be a good example for others to follow.

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.

Read More