DCLM Daily Manna, Saturday July 11, 2015 by Pastor Kumuyi – Of Cause and Effect

Topic: Of Cause And Effect [Saturday July 11, 2015]

Text: Ecclesiastes 10:8-15

Key Verse: “He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him” (Ecclesiastes 10:8).

A story was told of an eagle perched on a block of ice just above Niagara Falls. The swift current carried the ice and its majestic passenger closer to the edge of the great precipice. The cries of other birds and animals warning the eagle of the danger that lay ahead were to no avail. “I have great and powerful wings,” he boasted. “I can fly from my perch at any time. I can handle it.” Suddenly, the edge of the falls was only a few feet away. The torrent of water rushed the block of ice over the great falls. The eagle spread his powerful wings to mount up over the impending doom only to discover too late that his claws had become frozen to the cake of ice. He went headlong with the block of ice to the rocks down the fall.

Many men and women have gone to the grave prematurely due to the damning allure of sin. There is a principle of “cause and effect”, or “sowing and reaping” in sin. The consequence of sin is death (physical, spiritual and eternal). Unfortunately, Satan makes sin so appealing and seductive that man’s sense of danger is deadened to its damning and dangerous consequences.

The people of Sodom and Gomorrah (ancient examples of presentday homosexuals and lesbians) were so given to their vices that on the eve of their destruction, they were eager to mess up with angels. Samson, a man whose birth was foretold by an angel, and who was a Nazarite from the womb was not excused from the sin spiral. He was so carried away with the pleasure of the flesh that he forgot he was dinning with his enemies. He ended up in the prison of his enemies with his two eyes gorged out.

Children of God are exhorted not to dig the pit of sin, or to break the hedge of the commandments of God. The consequences are always dangerous and damning.

Bible In One Year: Genesis 32-34

Thought For The Day: Sin has the capacity to destroy to the uttermost.

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.

Open Heavens 11 July 2015: Saturday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Connecting Destiny Helpers

Topic: Connecting Destiny Helpers [Saturday July 11, 2015]

Memorise: My help cometh from the LORD, which made heavens and earth -Psalm 121:2

Read: 1 Samuel 10:3-4 (KJV)

3. Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

4. And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.

Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 4:1-6:11; Luke 21:1-24

MESSAGE:

God created us to be interdependent. This is why there are several parts in the human body, but all of them work towards the same goal. No man or woman is an island. For you to fulfil your destiny, here are certain people God has sent your way to help you. The degree of success you record and the pace of speed at which you moved will depend to a large extent on your ability to meet your helpers and gain access to their help. On the road to his destiny in Egypt, Joseph was at a loss, wandering in a field while looking for his brothers. God sent him a helper who connected him to their location in Dothan. Genesis 37:15 says:

“And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What sleekest thou?”

This is one thing that the anointing can do for you. It connects you with your destiny helpers and compels them to help you. After being anointed, Saul was told of certain men he would meet on his way, who would help him. One way the devil keeps people on the same spot for years is by preventing them from meeting their helpers. If this fails, he blindfolds them so that they do not recognise their helpers even after they meet them. Every plan to separate you from meeting with or recognising your helpers shall be destroyed in Jesus’ Name.

However, some people meet their helpers but never find favour before them. This also is one of the ways the enemy hinders people’s progress. But when you are anointed, your helpers will not only favour you, the anointing will compel them to help you. Saul and his father’s servant had exhausted their supplies while returning home; but on their way, they met three men loaded with provisions who offered them some even without being asked.

“And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.” -1 Samuel 10:4

Saul and his servant had no choice but to accept what was offered to them. The anointing covered their shame, so much so that even when they did not have, they did not have to beg, this season, the anointing will connect you with your destiny helpers and compel them to help you. Even before you express your need, the need would have been met; the anointing will cover your shame. By the anointing, all your helpers that have abandoned you shall locate you and help you in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, expose all my helpers to me and connect me to them.

DCLM Daily Manna, Friday July 10, 2015 by Pastor Kumuyi – Penitent Heart

Topic: Penitent Heart [Friday July 10, 2015]

Text: Ezra 10:6-8

Key Verse: “Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away” (Ezra 10:6).

Charles H. Brent, an American clergyman, who served in the Philippines and western New York, once stated: “The happy sequence culminating in fellowship with God is penitence, pardon, and peace – the first we offer, the second we accept and the third we inherit.”

The prophet, Ezra, as our text reveals, was a man with uncommon contrite spirit. When he heard of the transgression of his people who came back from exile, he became very sad. He felt they had not learnt their lesson. God allowed them to go into captivity as a form of chastisement to enable them fully evaluate their shortcomings and repent of them in order to have good relationship with Him. Unfortunately, they continued in their old order of sin which attracted the wrath of God upon their lives.

Ezra moved away from the front of the house of God to Johanan’s chamber which was situated in the temple. Johanan was the son of Eliashib, the priest, and he was a man of note. While there, Ezra did not eat any food nor drank any water. He was absolutely sad because the people who returned after the exile were not loyal to God.

It takes a man with uncommon burden to achieve uncommon vision. Today, many Christians have lost the vision to rebuild their lives, families and church to achieve God’s purpose. Some believers are no longer perturbed about the misconducts of their wives, husbands and children, let alone other brethren in the church. They have lost the sense of burden to rescue sinners and backsliders from the claws of sins; they allow them to have comfort in sin. God is counting on us to have the vision of Ezra and become the motivation through which His righteousness can be imparted into others.

Bible In One Year: Genesis 29-31

Thought For The Day: An honest heart seeks to please God in all things.

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.

DCLM Daily Manna, Friday July 10, 2015 by Pastor Kumuyi – Penitent Heart

Topic: Penitent Heart [Friday July 10, 2015]

Text: Ezra 10:6-8

Key Verse: “Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away” (Ezra 10:6).

Charles H. Brent, an American clergyman, who served in the Philippines and western New York, once stated: “The happy sequence culminating in fellowship with God is penitence, pardon, and peace – the first we offer, the second we accept and the third we inherit.”

The prophet, Ezra, as our text reveals, was a man with uncommon contrite spirit. When he heard of the transgression of his people who came back from exile, he became very sad. He felt they had not learnt their lesson. God allowed them to go into captivity as a form of chastisement to enable them fully evaluate their shortcomings and repent of them in order to have good relationship with Him. Unfortunately, they continued in their old order of sin which attracted the wrath of God upon their lives.

Ezra moved away from the front of the house of God to Johanan’s chamber which was situated in the temple. Johanan was the son of Eliashib, the priest, and he was a man of note. While there, Ezra did not eat any food nor drank any water. He was absolutely sad because the people who returned after the exile were not loyal to God.

It takes a man with uncommon burden to achieve uncommon vision. Today, many Christians have lost the vision to rebuild their lives, families and church to achieve God’s purpose. Some believers are no longer perturbed about the misconducts of their wives, husbands and children, let alone other brethren in the church. They have lost the sense of burden to rescue sinners and backsliders from the claws of sins; they allow them to have comfort in sin. God is counting on us to have the vision of Ezra and become the motivation through which His righteousness can be imparted into others.

Bible In One Year: Genesis 29-31

Thought For The Day: An honest heart seeks to please God in all things.

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.

Open Heavens 10 July 2015: Friday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Prayer Provokes Blessings

Topic: Prayer Provokes Blessings [Friday July 10, 2015]

Memorise: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. - Matthew 7:8

Read: Luke 1:5-14 (KJV)

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 1-3; Luke 20:19-47

MESSAGE:

One great lesson from Jacob’s Penile experience, documented in Genesis 32:24-32, is that prayer provokes blessing. A key part of this experience in Genesis 32:28-29 thus read:

“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.”

After changing Jacob’s name to Israel, the Lord further blessed him. This tells us that having a new name is desirable, but securing a blessing that will empower the new name to achieve its prophetic meaning in the life of its recipient is even more preferable. Some people who once had negative names have changed them; this is good but don’t stop here. Ask that God will bless your new identity, so that your new name will speedily work for you and finally take you to your place of destiny.

Similarly, you will notice that a blessing was pronounced on Israel in the place of prayer, not at some other place. Blessings are attracted to you while you are praying. The blessings that manifest after your moments of concerted prayers were first delivered to you in the place of prayer. In Acts 12:1-17, it was while the children of God were taking turns to pray that freedom was delivered to Peter who had been incarcerated by the authorities. In addition, the gift of a baby boy, in the person of John the Baptist, was delivered to Zacharias while he and the people were praying in the temple. This gift manifested nine months later (Luke 1:65-66).

Effective prayer is like a collection basket for blessing. If you can pray, you will have a place where your required blessings will be dropped for you, but if you cannot pray, you can be certain that even when God decides to give you a particular blessing out of mercy, you will not have a receptacle to receive it. This is one reason why some blessings that are brought to people are returned to Heaven. Effective and sustained praying over an issue tells the heavenly hosts that you are truly prepared to receive what you are asking for. Prayer provides that landing platform for your miracles and blessings. You desire God to bless you; have you prepared the platform on which the answer to your request will be laid?

Key Point: Prayer is a platform for collection, and only those who engage in it will reap its dividends.

DCLM Daily Manna, Thursday July 9, 2015 by Pastor Kumuyi – Joy of Prompt Obedience

Topic: Joy of Prompt Obedience [Thursday July 9, 2015]

Text: Luke 5:27-39

Key Verse: “And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him” (Luke 5:27,28).

It is a lot easier to accept God’s calling when it comes to us, no matter how difficult it may seem, than to face the consequence of rejecting or postponing it. The blessedness of obedience at the first call of the Saviour is something that may never be experienced by the hard-hearted sinner whose rebellion must be broken by afflictions and needless pains before they come. So much joy and happiness we lose when we delay.

Our text unfolds with Christ’s invitation to Matthew, the tax collector. He was a man despised for his occupation and lifestyle yet, Christ called him out unto salvation. Christ’s call to Matthew is akin to His call to every believer today. It is a call from a life of sin to that of righteousness. It is a call from our old occupation, companions and commitment to a new vocation and a new friend in Christ Jesus. He has called us to a new goal of preaching the gospel to every creature.

Matthew’s call was glorious but his response was much more glorious and challenging. The call came to him with an apparent suddenness, but his response was equally swift and glorious. His ready heart and self-surrender are a pattern for everyone who hears the gospel message. Like the song writer says “When His message comes to you, There is but one thing to do, Just Obey”.

God’s call must be acknowledged as a privilege which must be gratefully accepted. The believer must receive God’s call wholeheartedly and fulfill it overwhemingly. How terrible will it be if once filthy tax collector abandoned all to serve the Lord, and you fail to do so. Do not allow Matthew the tax collector to stand as witness against you in judgment.

Bible In One Year: Genesis 26-28

Thought For The Day: Obedience to God is paramount for a successful walk with Him.

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

Open Heavens 9 July 2015: Thursday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Wonderful Miracle

Topic: Wonderful Miracle [Thursday July 9, 2015]

Memorise: Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.-Romans 15:19

Read: Ezekiel 37:1-10 (KJV)

1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.

9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

Bible In One Year: 1 Chronicles 28:9-29:30; Luke 19:41-20:18

MESSAGE:

Miracles have a lesser degree of awesomeness when compared to wonders. Let us closely look at examples of these. It is undeniable that the raising of the dead through prayer is a great act of God. In 1 Kings 17:17-24, when the son of the widow of Zarephath died and Elijah was informed; he prayed, paced up and down, threw himself on the child about three times and the child came back to life. This was a miracle no doubt; but when dead bones cause the dead to be raised to life, it is a greater miracle. This happened in 2 Kings 13:20-21. Someone died and was being conveyed to the burial site, but because the mourners sighted a band of enemy soldiers heading in their direction, they threw the corpse into a nearby grave. Coincidentally, that was where Elisha had been buried. Elisha's body had decayed, leaving only his bones behind. As soon as the corpse touched his bones, the dead man came back to life and ran after his fleeing relatives.

However, when you compare all these great miracles with Ezekiel's experience documented in today's Bible reading, you will conclude that they are incomparable in awesomeness. What Ezekiel experienced was a wonder. Ezekiel was taken to a valley full of dry bones and God asked him if the bones could live again. This man of God immediately realised he had come face to face with a situation his faith could not handle. "Lord, this is beyond my faith. Only You can tell", he replied. God then said to him, "Don't pray, don't touch, just prophesy to them and say, Dry bones, hear God's word and come together, every bone to its bone as it was originally". Oh! That was easy to say, and he said it as he was commanded, even though he knew it sounded far-fetched. How can you ask dead, dry bones to hear? Oh yes, they can hear, though not your words but God's Word. This is why you should not stop speaking the Word of God to dead situations, people and things. They all have ears to hear God's Word and they respond to it. Meanwhile, as the dry bones began to move to form their original bone structure, Ezekiel must have been saying, Wonderful! But God was not done yet; He commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the wind. Now, this was a bit more outlandish! At least the bones he could see, but the wind he could not see. He however obeyed, and the wind began to blow. Breath came into the lifeless entities that had been formed from the dry bones. In no time, a valley full of dry bones was taken over by a strong and able army. Always use God's Word to call up what you want to see in the Name of Jesus Christ, and it will be so.

Prayer Point: Father, in my life, family, workplace and ministry, make us recipients of your wonders.

Pastor Faith Oyedepo: Wednesday July 8, 2015 Daily Devotional – Track of Success

Topic: Track of Success [Wednesday July 8, 2015]

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” -1 Corinthians 9:24

Running a ministry is like a race, and everyone engages according to the result he/she wants to attain. The effort you put in to attain the first position in any competition is different from the effort you put in, if any, while aiming for last in the race. This race of life though, will not be over until death or Jesus returns. However, one major factor that would help you forge ahead in ministry is the relationship you make with others, and maintain.

Some relationships are not permanent. In ministry, your level of attainment per time determines the type of relationships you maintain with others. Your zeal to press forward daily increases your results, so the individuals you relate with also change.

My husband, Dr. David Oyedepo says “Relationships are like water. They seek their own level.” Your level of success determines the level of relationship you have with others at any given time. Although, you should maintain relations with your superiors, level mates and subordinates, everyone’s role and function must be defined. This is why anyone in this race must keep pressing to excel, so as to remain relevant.

Like every runner, disciple, dedication and focus must be your watchwords. No man stumbles on success; success is always derived through committed and tireless engagement in your pursuit. So, fix your eyes on your target and press on. Run, that you may obtain!

Remain Blessed!

Pastor Faith Abiola Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

DCLM Daily Manna, Wednesday July 8, 2015 by Pastor Kumuyi – A Sad End

Topic: A Sad End [Wednesday July 8, 2015]

Text: 1 Chronicles 10:1-14

KEY VERSE: “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it” (1 Chronicles 10:13).

Open Heavens 8 July 2015: Wednesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Fake Promises & Scales

Topic: Fake Promises & Scales [Wednesday July 8, 2015]

Memorise: Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD -Proverbs 20:10

Read: Proverbs 20:7-10 (KJV)

7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

Bible In One Year: 1 Chronicles 26:1-28:8; Luke 19:11-40

MESSAGE:

It is unfortunate that some people make promises and don't bother to keep them. This is one area that requires restitution. Broken promises can stand against you in eternity. This is why you should not make a promise you are not prepared to keep. Politicians easily fall prey here. When they are campaigning for votes, they will promise heaven and earth, but after their election, many of them fail to live up to their promises. If you are a child of God and a politician, let people know the difference between light and darkness by making sure you fulfil your promises. One of the characters of a person who will enjoy the ever-abiding presence of God and make heaven is keeping of promises. Psalm 15:1&4b says:

"LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?....He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not."

There is a user of this devotional: you have made several promises to individuals and even to the Church of God but failed to keep them. Your inability to fulfil them is keeping back certain promises made to you from being fulfilled. If you can repent and fulfil your pending promises, the door will be opened for promises made to you to be fulfilled.

Closely allied to the issue of trustworthiness is the use of fake weights and measures, especially in trading activities. Some people beat in their measuring cups so that they can make more profit. That is fraudulent. Believers should not manipulate their instruments, but measure accurately. Serve completely and charge for it. Sell a full cup for the full amount and not 3/4 of a cup for the full amount. You cannot be asking for God's blessings and be doing what He hates.Proverbs 11:1 says:

"A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight."

Just as individuals offend here, so also do governments and government agencies. For instance, any government agency making people pay for services not rendered is fraudulent and destroying itself. One way this happens is through the use of fixed estimates by power companies. When a person's monthly consumption of energy is 200 units, why must such a person be compelled to pay for 300 or more units? This is serious fraud. This also applies to fuel (gas) stations. Some of them tamper with their meters so that instead of the requested quantity being delivered, fewer litres are dispensed for the same price. They believe people will not know, but what about God? In any way you are delivering below what is expected of you or your organisation, repent and return the difference to the owners before it is too late.

Key Point: Whatever is not originally yours that you take from others by deceit can never truly add to you

Fresh Graduate Trainees at Bayz Beverages

Bayz Beverages is one of the Nigeria's largest producers of beverages and distributors, and has one of the broadest home and office bottled water and office coffee service distribution networks in the Nigeria, with the ability to service approximately 85 percent of Nigeria households, as well as national, regional and local offices.
We are currently recruiting for our graduate programme below: 

Job Title: Fresh Graduate Trainees
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Lagos
Experience: 0-1yr

We are looking for fresh graduate who are
Highly intelligent, hardworking, having the ability to apply common sense in analyzing and resolving problems and who value integrity more than wealth.
Work with operations personnel in validation for Core operations related designs greater efficiencies and lower operational costs;
Communicate status of projects to general management level/senior management;
Manage the organization quality process to ensure that new projects and tasks are implemented with minimal interruption to operations and attain the company quality objectives;
Analyzing business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations, to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice

Qualifications and Requirements:

BSc/HND in any of the following disciplines
Engineering Industrial, Production, Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics, Civil
Biological & Chemical Sciences Microbiology, Biochemistry, Food Technology, Nutrition, Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry
Mathematics, Actuarial Sciences, Statistics, Computer Science,
Social Sciences,Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Marketing

Entry Level but work experience is an added advantage

must have completed the mandatory One Year National Youth Service Programme (NYSC)

Minimum of 5 credits at one sitting in “O” level

Excellent written, oral, interpersonal and organization skills

Achieving results through influence where no direct line authority exist

Exceptionally intelligent and energetic fresh graduates with a strong drive for excellence

Method of application
Only the candidates who meet the above requirements and who reside in Lagos and its environs should send a CV to: career@bayzbaverage.com

Open Heavens 7 July 2015: Tuesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Love Must Be Reciprocated

Topic: Love Must Be Reciprocated [Tuesday July 7, 2015]

Memorise: If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. -John 15:10.

Read: John 15:9-10 (KJV)

9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Bible In One Year: 1 Chronicles 23:25; Luke 18:35-19:10

MESSAGE:

God loves us so much the He gave us Himself as a gift. Giving Jesus Christ to die for us was the same as giving Himself to us (1 Timothy 3:16). But He did not stop there, He went further, pointing out to us in Romans 8:32 that:

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things.”

However, love should be a two-way exchange, and not one-sided. If you love someone and your love is not being reciprocated, after a while, something will happen to that love. That love may grow cold or even die. The same applies to the relationship between God and us. If you check through the scriptures, you will learn that whenever God does something for someone, He expects them to do something in return. It is one thing to be loved and another thing to abide in that love. While you were in your sins, God demonstrated His love for you by sending Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, to die for you. When you respond to this divine initiative by repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you will be washed by His blood and forgiven. After this, God increases His love towards you, and when you reciprocate, that love increases.

Love begets greater love. If you want to sustain or increase the love that God has for you, reciprocate His love. In today’s reading, Jesus tells us that when He came to earth as a man, He was loved by the Father; but to sustain that love, He had to keep the Father’s commandments. What the Father expected of Jesus is what He expects of us today. There is no way you will continue in God’s love when you deliberately break His commandments or refuses to obey Him. If He has loved you, He expects you to love Him too. He expects your obedience. He also expects you to love other brethren. How have you reciprocated the love of the Lord? Even though afflictions, persecutions, angels, Satan, what we see and what we can’t see cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39), disobedience, manifested by violation of His word, can deal that love a terrible blow.

Action Point: List some things you have never done that you can start doing to reciprocate the love of God. Do them from today!

Open Heavens 6 July 2015: Monday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Price Must Be Paid

Topic: The Price Must Be Paid [Monday July 6, 2015]

Memorise: There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. -Joshua 1:5

Read: 2 Kings 6:15-17 (KJV)

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Bible In One Year: 1 Chronicles 20-22; Luke 18:9-34

MESSAGE:

After God chose Joshua to succeed Moses, Joshua was afraid, as he wondered how he could ever fit into Moses' big shoes. Therefore, God came to reassure him, calm his fears and promised to be with him. He said to him in Joshua 1:5 that:

"There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

Thereafter, he had a smooth ride in ministry until the day the children of Israel fled before Ai. Joshua felt disappointed that God had gone back on His promise, so he went back to God and asked Him "Lord, I thought You said nobody would be able to withstand us. How come we are fleeing before a little city like Ai?" God replied "That is correct, but you are now disconnected from me, and until you restitute and deal with the sin, I will not continue with you."

If God will use you for great signs and wonders, you must be prepared to make instant restitution. God is about to do great exploits, but if you are not prepared to pay the price, you will be a spectator and not a key player. Have you stolen God's money, particularly tithes, first fruits and offerings? Pay back immediately! Did your members contribute some money for a particular thing but you diverted it to something else? Restitute! Have you been looking at the wrong direction? Restitute by facing the direction God wants you to take.

There is a price to pay to be a minister or vessel of signs and wonders, one of which is a readiness to operate in both physical and spiritual realms simultaneously. When you pay this price, you will start seeing the invisible. You will not only see angels and the heavenly hosts like Elisha's servant in today's Bible reading, you might equally see demons. This should not scare you. When you can see demons, you will immediately see them in any demon-possessed individual brought to you, and when you cast them out, you will be able to know whether they have really gone or are just pretending to have done so. Asking demons how many they are inside their victim is of no use when the minister cannot see them. Even if there is just one of them, because you cannot see him, he can lie to you. How prepared are you to pay the price?

Action Point: If God's promise to you is not being fulfilled exactly as He promised it, find out what you may be doing wrong?

Open Heavens 5 July 2015: Sunday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Satan Targets The Holy

Topic: Satan Targets The Holy [Sunday July 5, 2015]

Memorise: Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. - Acts 12:1

Read: Acts 6:8-15 (KJV)

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Bible In One Year: 1 Chronicles 17:19; Luke 17:20-18:8

MESSAGE:

Holiness is very necessary for anyone who wants to fulfil destiny and make it to Heaven. Holiness also makes God to hide you in His bosom (Psalm 91:4).In other words, holiness provides a cover for the holy, whereas sin exposes the sinner. Sin exposes the one who commits it to shame, disgrace and pain, and it makes the sinner vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. When you combine holiness with being a vessel of honour, you become doubly precious to God. You become like a delicate egg in His hands. This is why Psalm 103:13-14 says God will treat such a vessel with lots of care, remembering how weak and fragile he or she is. From today, the Lord will treat you with special care. You will be special to God and He will hide you in His love in Jesus’ Name.

Moreover, as an instrument of honour, never rest on your oars. Whatever level you may be on presently, you have only started; you have not yet attained the heights that God is taking you to. If you think that you have already arrived with respect to Kingdom tasks, you may attract unwanted things to yourself. Note however that the more God uses you, the more you will be of interest to the kingdom of Satan. Satan never wants any believer in Christ to end up in Heaven; so he will do all he can to stop you. Take Peter for instance: he loved Jesus so much that he vowed never to deny Him. This he said in spite of what Jesus had foretold would happen (Matthew 26:34-35). Satan saw Peter as a vessel of honour in God’s hands and immediately marked him out as a target. He did everything possible to bring him down, but Jesus prayed for him and he overcome.

Similarly, Satan picked on another vessel of honour – Stephen. Stephen was holy, full of faith and full of Holy Spirit. He was also full of wisdom and was used to perform mighty signs and wonders in the early Church. Satan therefore stirred up serious opposition against Stephen, but he overcome them. When this failed, the enemies connived and brought false witnesses to lie against him. Satan never keeps to any rule of decency when he fights. He fights dirty. He kept working at it until he got Stephen killed (Acts 7:56-60). But unknown to him, when he thought he had won the battle, his chief vessel of persecution, Saul, was arrested by God and did even far greater works for God than Stephen did. In the end, the devil regretted his action. He wished he had left Stephen alone to have been spared the immense irrecoverable losses he got from his ex-loyal fanatic –Paul.

Action Point: Pray that every target of Satan in your local church be protected from falling.