Open Heavens 19 June 2015: Friday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Long-suffering God

Friday, 19 June 2015

Topic: The Long-suffering God [Friday June 19, 2015]

Memorise: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. -2 Peter 3:9

Read: Jonah 3:5-10 (KJV)

5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Bible in one Year: 2 Kings 10:1-11:20, Luke 9:28-50

MESSAGE:

When the Bible in 1 Corinthians 13:4 says that love suffers long, it aligns with the character of God and confirms that God is love indeed. Our God is a longsuffering God. It is His longsuffering that has kept the world intact till now; otherwise He would have destroyed it many times over. It is however unfortunate that man tends to take the longsuffering of God for granted. Many have lost the opportunity of being forgiven because they failed to repent until death caught up with them. I was praying for a king who was sick in one city in south-west Nigeria, and the Lord told me to ask him to repent of his sins if he wanted to be healed. He was reluctant to do so, and he refused to repent until he gave up the ghost. The Bible in 2 Corinthians 6:2 says:

“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

One city that enjoyed the longsuffering of God and put it to good use was the city of Nineveh. The longsuffering of God kept this great city alive while God gave them time to repent. When this longsuffering started waxing thin, He sent Prophet Jonah to warn them to repent. The Bible in Jonah 1:1-2 says:

“Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”

What a gracious and merciful God He is! Thank God that heeded His warning and repented; from the king of the least person in the city. The longsuffering of God is demonstrated in the fact that even Jonah was running away from the great responsibility of warning this city, God still put up with them until His warning go to them.

To someone reading this devotional today, I want you to know that the purpose of God’s longsuffering is to give you the opportunity to repent and not be destroyed. I therefore encourage you to give your total life to Jesus Christ and stop postponing the day of your salvation, because tomorrow may be too late. Jesus is standing at the door of your heart; I encourage you to open it to Him so that He can come in with His forgiveness, salvation, healing and all-round peace.

Action Point: Examine your life and see where you need to turn a new leaf, and do so today.

Chad Bans Islamic Face Veil After Suicide Bombings

Chad has banned people from wearing the full-face veil, following two suicide bomb attacks on Monday.

Chad's government accused Nigerian militant Islamist group Boko Haram of the bombings which killed more than 20 people.

The prime minister said the veil was used as a "camouflage" by militants and said the security forces will burn all full-face veils sold in markets.

Ritualist Kills Female Student, Boils, Smokes, Buries Her Human Parts

ABEOKUTA—Men of Ogun State police command, Tuesday, uncovered a ritualist’s shrine at Eposo-Akaka, Isara, in Remo North Local Government of Ogun State with dismembered human parts suspected to be those of a female student of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Morenikeji Owolabi.

Encouraged Buhari To Run For President – Adesina

In this interview with SAHARA TV monitored by ENIOLA AKINKUOTU, the newly appointed Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who is also the immediate past Managing Director of The SUN and President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, speaks about his appointment Are you excited about your appointment?

The Missing Female Corps Member Has Been Found.

Good News...! The missing Corps Member has been found... She was rescued alongside the kidnapped Regent of Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State... Jux stumbled on the news now... Read below the excerpt I culled from Sahara Reporters;

'The Regent of Akungba Akoko, in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, Princess
Oluwatoyin Omosowon, has regained her freedom.

Freed alongside the Monarch was an Indian citizen-Mr. Alex John, his mobile Police escort-Sunday Obafe, a Corps member- Miss Ijeoma Azubike, and a driver- Ali Abdujelili.'

Also, a ‎member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Miss Ijeoma Azubike abducted by the same gang said‎ she was kidnapped late last month on her way to Lagos.

Woman Stabs Two-year-old Son To Death In Ogun State

The police in Ogun State have arrested a 26-year-old woman, Funmilayo Tijani, who allegedly stabbed her two-year-old son, Emmanuel, to death in the Sango Ota area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Funmilayo, a fashion designer, and her husband, identified simply as John, separated two years ago as a result of a quarrel.

It was gathered that Funmilayo had returned to stay in her father’s apartment with her only child after the separation.

Our correspondent learnt that on May 27, at about 4pm, Funmilayo’s

Fasting And Your Health (Ramadan)

 Fasting during the month of Ramadan can be good for your health if it’s done correctly.

When the body is starved of food, it starts to burn fat so that it can make energy. This can lead to weight loss. However, if you fast for too long your body will eventually start breaking down muscle protein for energy, which is unhealthy.

Dr Razeen Mahroof, an anaesthetist from Oxford, says there's a strong relationship between diet and health.

Ten Nigerian States With Highest IGR

TOP TEN STATES BY IGR IN BILLIONS OF NAIRA

1-Lagos -- N276.1
2-Rivers -- N89.1
3-Delta -- N42.8

9 Questions About The N8B Clothing Allowance You Were Too Embarrassed To Ask

1. What’s up with the talk on social media about 8 billion naira clothing allowance for Nigerian legislators?


Apparently our newly inaugurated National Assembly is set to receive a whopping 8.64 billion naira to spend on clothes.

2. What? About 9 billion Naira on clothes for one person? Is this a joke? Or is it possible that someone forgot how to count the number of zeros on a figure?

Actually, the 9 billion naira is not for one person, it is the collective sum that is set to be received by every member senator and member of the House of Representatives.

Open Heavens 18 June 2015: Thursday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Divine Commendation

Thursday, 18 June 2015

Topic: Divine Commendation [Thursday June 18, 2015]

Memorise: His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. - Matthew 25:21

Read: Matthew 25:15-21 (KJV)

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Bible in one year: 2 Kings 8:16-9:37, Luke 9:7-27

MESSAGE:

You are blessed when a great man commends you for executing an assignment well. Very much more, when God commends you for a job well-done, you are exceedingly and greatly blessed. Commendation is the direct opposite of condemnation. May you not be condemned in this world and in the world to come in Jesus’ Name. The wealthy man in our Bible reading commended the servant with five talents who gained five more talents. He also commended the servant with two talents who gained another two talents. However, the one with one talent went and hid his talent in the ground, because he felt he was not given his due to trade with. On the day of reckoning, he was condemned.

Our Lord Jesus Christ promised that He would commend those on His right hand side on the day of reckoning. In Matthew 25:34 He said:

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;”

What do we do to obtain this divine commendation? One of the things we can do is to show the compassion of Jesus to the needy: feed the poor, clothe the naked and house the homeless (Matthew 25:35-36). Another channel for receiving divine commendation is exercising uncommon faith. A centurion, whose servant was sick, demonstrated uncommon faith in the power in God’s Word, and he received divine commendation for this in Matthew 8:10:

“When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily, verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

God celebrates people who exercise faith in Him. This is the reason why the Bible says it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6).

Those who endure to the end in the Christian race will also receive divine commendation. In Revelation 2:26, our Lord Jesus promised that:

“And he that overcometh, and keepth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”

We should believe the promises of our Lord and work towards receiving His commendations.

Action Point: Think on what to do here on earth, so that you will be commended in Heaven.

Open Heavens 17 June 2015: Wednesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Rest in the Lord

Topic: Rest in the Lord [Wednesday June 17, 2015]

Memorise: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. - Matthew 6:33

Read: Matthew 6:31-34 (KJV)

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 6:24-8:15; Luke 8:40-9:6

MESSAGE:

Nobody cares for us like our Heavenly Father. The devil and the world want to deceive you to think that they care more than He does, but you must not allow yourself to be deceived like Eve (1 Timothy 2:14). The devil deceived Eve to think that God was being too high-handed by restricting her to eat of certain fruits alone (Genesis 3:1-5). Jesus expressed the depth of the Father’s love and care for us in our Bible reading. He consequently admonished us to stop worrying about things that have already been sorted out by our Heavenly Father. He also declared to us what our priority should be (Matthew 6:33). He said when we focus on the priority, the rest of those things that are needful shall be provided for us.

Unfortunately, some children of God are too mindful of the “interest” at the expense of the “principal”. They are too mindful of the “other things”, which indeed are necessities, at the expense of our main priority, which is the kingdom of God. If you genuinely seek the kingdom of God, faithful is He that has promised; all your other necessities shall be added unto you.

It is amazing to know that God provided what He considered to be our needs, even before He created us. This shows us that God has ever been mindful of our basic necessities. In the creation story, God used the first five days of creation to provide all that man would ever need; after which He created man in His own image on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26-31). Man began to worry about what to eat, drink, wear and what would become of his future after the Fall(Genesis 3:7-8).

We can see the goodness of God demonstrated even after the fall of man. In spite of man’s rebellious act, God still sought after him in the garden. He called Adam and Eve out of their hiding place, and after rebuking them, He clothed them properly. Genesis 3:21 says:

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”

There is need for us as children of God to trust that our Heavenly Father is mindful of our well-being. If we do, we will not be anxious for anything like those who don’t know God. We will have peace, joy and contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-8). I want you to consider Philippians 4:19 as God’s assurance of His provision for your life. Praise Him for this blessed assurance.

Action Point: Is there any lack in your life? Tell your Heavenly Father about it today. He will pleasantly surprise you.

Open Heavens 16 June 2015: Tuesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – What Type Of Vessel Are You?

Topic: What Type Of Vessel Are You? [Tuesday June 16, 2015]

Memorise: But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. -2 Timothy 2:20

Read: 2 Timothy 2:19-21

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Bible In One Year: 2 Kings 4:38-6:23; Luke 8:22-39

MESSAGE:

In the Body of Christ, there are different types of vessels. There are vessels unto honour and vessels unto dishonour. Also, there are vessels for temporary use there are those used on permanent basis. Vessels for temporary use are those used and subsequently dumped; whereas vessels for permanent use are for keeps. Every child of God must decide whether what type of vessel he or she wants to be and comport himself or herself as such. Shepherd staffs, like the rod of Aaron that budded and kept in the ark of covenant, are examples of vessels for permanent use (Hebrew 9:4). But the jawbone of asses, like the one Samson used and dumped, have no permanent usage (Judges 15:15-17). The status of a vessel with respect to being of permanent or temporary use is determined by the nature and preparation of the vessel. This is why Bible in 2 Timothy 2:22 says:

'If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.'

A vessel of honour is not used and dumped. They stay with Master forever. To be set apart as such a vessel, the Bible enjoins us to depart from iniquity. Jesus made a profound promise to all vessel of honour; in John 14:2-3, He said:

'In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.'

Irrespective of the level of preparation by a vessel, the user of the vessel has the prerogative to determine what type of use is applied to. This is the reason why you as a child of God must be careful of who or what you allow to use you. Our God does not use and dump vessels of honour, but Satan, sin and the world do. Romans 6:13 says:

'Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.'

I pray for you that you will be a vessel of honour for the permanent use of God in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, as I purge myself of the works of the flesh, set me apart as a vessel of honour for Your permanent use in Jesus' Name.'

Open Heavens 15 June 2015: Monday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Bread of Stone

Topic: The Bread of Stone [Monday June 15, 2015]

Memorise: Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. - 1 Corinthians 6:13

Read: Matthew 4:1-4 (KJV)

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 3:1-4:37; Luke 8:4-21

MESSAGE:

Food is one of the earliest weapons the devil deployed to destroy humanity (Genesis 3:6). It’s amazing that he still succeeds in using this weapon to destroy the destinies of many. He even deployed this weapon against our Lord Jesus Christ. After our Lord had fasted for forty days and nights, naturally, He became hungry. The devil, sensing an opportunity, came to Him saying:

“If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” Matthew 4:3b

Unlike the first Adam who fell for the enticement of Satan, Jesus overcame the devil by the word of God (Matthew 4:4). He used the arrow ofDeuteronomy 8:3 against the devil. Thank God He knew the word; of course, He is the Word of God. Beloved, the bread of stone when eaten will never digest; so, beware of the bread of stone in whatever form it presents itself.

The bread of stone can come in any form. For example, after four years of joblessness as a first-class graduate, the devil may dangle an employment opportunity at you that require you sleeping with the personnel manager to secure the position. “Do it just once and get out of the labour market”, the devil may suggest. It is a bread of stone, don’t fall for it. It may also come in the form of a government minister or the secretary of a government establishment luring you to join their occult group to guarantee the steady flow of contracts. The devil may say “it is just a networking club”. Please don’t join, because if you do, you may be turning stone to bread to satisfy your hunger.

Remember the case of Esau. The Bible in Hebrew 11:16-17 says this about him:

“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”

Your adoption as a child of God guarantees you of meat, it is your birthright. Don’t allow anybody or any situation to steal that away from you. The devil will attempt to justify why you need to turn stone to bread to satisfy your hunger, but remember he is a liar. Such “bread” will never digest in your stomach; it will produce spiritual ulcer and death. May the Lord be with your soul as you wait patiently for God’s time and means to meet your needs.

Prayer Point: Father, grant me grace to counter the deceit of the devil whenever he comes around to tempt me. As Jesus overcame, help me to overcome also.

Open Heavens 14 June 2015: Sunday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Our Position in Christ

Topic: Our Position in Christ [Sunday June 14, 2015]

Memorise: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. -Ephesians 2:6

Read: Ephesians 2:1-6 (KJV)

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 1-2; Luke 7:36-8:3

MESSAGE:

The Bible reveals that Christians who are genuine children of God are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ through divine adoption (Romans 8:16-17). This is an amazing truth. It implies that we have access to the same resources of heaven which backed up the work of Jesus while He was here on earth. Why then is it that lots of Christians are not operating at the level which he operated while He was here on earth? The problem lies in the fact that although they bear the Name of Jesus, such people are not ready to pay the price that being a child of God demands of them. Jesus summarised the price we need to pay to operate as children of God in Matthew 11:29a:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;”

His yoke has to do with His passion to please His Father. John 4:34 thus says:

“Jesus saith unto them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ, while on earth, was passionate about doing His Father’s will. This is the reason why the Father always heard Him when He prayed. He proudly declared this fact at the tomb of Lazarus in John 11:42:

“And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”

To establish His claim, He commanded the dead Lazarus, who was already decaying, to come out alive, and Lazarus became a living soul again (John 11:43-44)

The proof of our adoption as children of God is manifested in freedom from the sins which we hitherto lived under before our glorious encounter with Jesus Christ. This is the crux of the message in our Bible reading. As children of God, we must therefore live a life void of sin to the glory of God (1 John 3:9-10). We should also recognise that while we are on earth, we occupy the same position Jesus Christ did while He was on earth; therefore, we can do all that He did and enjoy every privilege He enjoyed (1 John 4:17). Our position in Christ therefore, is to share with Him the same miracle-working experience He had, and give Him the glory. However, we must be children of God indeed. If you have not given your life to Christ, you have no position to share with Jesus Christ. Today is the day of salvation for you.

Prayer Point: Father, grant me grace not to lose my position in Christ to the flesh, sin or this present age.