PDP, Coward!
Problem to the People!
Failure to the Nation

lalasticlala:

In Shasha, the INEC people have refused to show up in the poling unit beside Afonka police stastion and we have been under the sun waiting for them but to no avail till present.

lalasticlala:
The names of the number one citizen of Lagos state, Governor Babatunde Fashola and that of his wife, Abimbola and all residents who registered at the governor’s polling unit were missing on the register of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and could not collect their Permanent Voters Card, PVC.

The governor, who after arriving at his Ward G3, polling Unit E002, State Junior Secondary School, Surulere, where he had registered with his wife, Dame Abimbola in 2010, did not sight any INEC official at the scene at about 2:00 p.m.

The governor, after waiting at the scene for a long time sighted a notice pasted on the entrance of the school, advising residents who had registered at the polling unit to revisit the unit next month for another registration exercise.

The notice placed at the gate notified that all those who registered at the polling unit, including Fashola and his wife would not get their PVCs as there was no provision for such.

“We regret to inform you that those who registered in this polling unit do not have permanent voters’ cards. Please come back between 3rd and 8th December 2014 for fresh registration,” the notice informed.

Fashola however reacted angrily to the fact that his name was missing on INEC’s database, thus denying him and others from collecting their PVCs, saying the umpire body represented the biggest threat to the nation’s democracy.

“We have seen that INEC is the biggest threat to our democracy. They set date for the distribution of PVC, the state mobilised its residents for the exercise. We put all machinery in place only for the electoral body to change the date of the exercise. They said that the distribution and registration of voters would be done in 11 councils and not the 20 local governments.

“While the 11 had been handled in an unsatisfactory way, now the exercises in nine local governments are not ready. If I the governor of the state cannot vote, it shows what the electoral body had done. They came in the midnight and said that we should all come back and register on 3rd December 3rd, 2014. We registered and voted in that place. And there are evidences to show that,” he decried.

According to Fashola, “now, there are questions that must be answered by INEC; was the PVC for those units which they have cancelled printed? And if yes, who have they given them to?”

He said one could not wipe datas gathered like that, saying he wanted INEC to know that he still had his temporary voter’s card and that he expected all those who still had theirs to keep them, adding that “INEC registered us and they cannot deregister us because we are still alive.”

He said if the electoral body could not provide the PVC, it must allow those who had the temporary cards to vote.

“It is disgraceful to say the least. This shows how we organise the affairs of this country. Everything that had happened under Jega’s tenure, it has been characterised by mistakes from his very first election. Promises have been made and broken. It is a disappointment. We will participate in the election whether they like it or not. I feel sad when I visited India and I saw how the country was organising elections for population more than ours without hitches,” he said.


source: http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/11/28/pvc-fashola-wifes-name-missing-at-polling-unit/

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 2014

THEME: DIVINE PROMOTION FOR THE WISE
MEMORISE: The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. Proverbs 3:35

READ: PSALM 75:5-7
5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 KINGS 19:19-21:16 AND PROVERBS 19:19-20:3

MESSAGE
Divine promotion is a reward for those who live holy. God is the Judge, and only He can promote you. The devil is not the one who will promote you. There are two types of promotion according to Proverbs 3:35. These are: glory and shame. There is glorious promotion for the wise and shameful promotion for fools. Who are the wise? The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Those who are wise fear God, and because of this, they live a holy life. They depart from sin. God says that such people will have a glorious promotion. A classical example of a wise man, who as a result of his fear of God abstained from sin, is Joseph in Egypt. He refused to have carnal knowledge of his master’s wife, though it was offered to him ‘free of charge’. In Genesis 39:9, He queried this offer saying:
“……There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
The end of the story is that Joseph became the Prime Minister of Egypt. Who are fools? Fools are those who can see danger ahead and still walk into it. Fools are those who know that the wages of sin is death and yet continue to sin. Fools are those who know that the only way to get to the kingdom of God is by becoming born-again and yet they refuse salvation. Fools are those who have decided to continue living in sin, after knowing that without holiness, no man shall see God.
You must live a holy life if you want glorious promotion. God is no respecter of persons. He will never bend His standards. Promotion puts you on top. Being on top comes with very many advantages, according to Deuteronomy 28:1:
“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:”
God will give you divine promotion if you live holy. However, if you do not live holy, you will go down. Those who are on top enjoy it up there. Those who are below remain in suffering. I prefer being on top. When you are on top, you will get special protection. The one who is on top is special and of more value than the one who is below. Can you see how wise it is to live holy? I pray that today, the Lord will give you the grace you need to live holy for divine promotion, in Jesus’ Name. All you need to do is to make up your mind that you will no longer live a life of sin anymore, and the Lord will help your decision.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, put your fear in me so that I may shun evil for holy living, and grant me divine promotion this season in Jesus’ Name.
AUTHOR: Pst E. A. ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Thursday 30 October 2014
THEME : THE REDEMPTIVE NAMES OF GOD
Memorise:
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21
Read: Exodus 6:2–8
2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 KINGS 18:1-19:18 and PROVERBS 19:5-18
Message
Our God is the only one that has the ability to save to the uttermost. He has many redemptive names which include: Jehovah El-Shaddai, Jehovah Rophekah, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Shalom and Jehovah Rohi. The name Jehovah El-Shaddai, reveals God as the Almighty; the all in all (Acts 17:28). God is more than enough to nourish you, strengthen you and to supply all of your needs (Philippians 4:19). The name Jehovah Ropheka means the Lord our Healer. Christ is still in the business of healing His people today. Just as He healed in the Bible days, He can as well heal today, because there is nothing like the age of miracles, but rather we have the God of miracles. Are you in need of healing? Call on Jehovah Ropheka and you will be healed. Another redemptive name of God is Jehovah Nissi. This simply means the Lord our Banner, or the Lord our Victor. Our God is the One who can give us all-round success and victory over all circumstances. To really overcome the world, the devil, sin and self, you must be born-again. It is when you are genuinely born-again that God will be in position to fight your battles for you. God is also the Jehovah Jireh. This redemptive name means the Lord will give or provide. God can still provide for all your needs today as He did in time past. All that He requires from you is faith.
The Lord is also our Sanctifier – Jehovah Mekaddishkem. In these days of spiritual decadence and social degeneration, the need for believers to be sanctified cannot be over-emphasised. God is also Jehovah Shalom. He is the Lord our Peace. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and it is only those who have surrendered their all to God that can experience peace indeed. Are you born-again? Are you living in peace or tumult? Examine your life today. The last but not the least redemptive name is Jehovah Rohi. This name means the Lord my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1). To yield your life to God as your Shepherd, you will need to accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour. He will then become your Shepherd and you will be His sheep. God knows his sheep, and His sheep know Him (John 10:14). If you regard Jesus as your Shepherd, you will stop doing things without His express permission. It is then that you can enjoy the benefits due to a sheep (Psalm 23:1-6). The Good Shepherd will ensure that there is no want in your life. He will protect you and guarantee your safety. He will bless you abundantly and you will obtain favour of God and men. Are you born-again? If your answer is “no”, then you must become born-again, because God will not be your shepherd, heal you, give you peace of mind, provide for all of your needs, give you victory over all your enemies, nor guarantee your safety until you are born-again.
Action Point:
Spend quality time in prayer for the mercy of God today. He is ever merciful.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Wednesday 29 October 2014
THEME : THE EAGLE AMBASSADORS
Memorise:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Read: Isaiah 40:28–31
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 KINGS 15:33-17:24 and PROVERBS 18:15-19:4
Message
God has favourites. Certain animals are viewed as God’s favourites because of the way they were used in describing His character in the Bible. For example, the lion: our Lord is described as the Lion of the tribe of Judah in Revelation 5:5. Another is the eagle: God in Exodus 19:4, used the eagle to describe His character of protecting His own. There is much to learn from the eagle. Because the eagle is the king of birds, it has many characteristicsthat distinguish it from other ordinary birds. A study of some of these characteristicswill enable us know how we ought to comport ourselves, manifest what we have been created to be, do what we have been called to do, and have what Jesus Christ died to give to us. We need to learn about the eagle because all children of God are expected to be ambassadors with royal traits like that of the eagle. Our royalty is described in 1 Peter 2:9, which says:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
A thorough study of the eagle reveals that eagles flock together and fly alone. As the saying goes, “birds of same feather flock together”. We as heaven-bound Christians must associate with our kind (Psalm 1:1-3). We must keep company with genuine believers (Hebrews 10:25). We must also tarry in the presence of God in worship, praise and through all manner of prayers (Luke 6:12). The eagle flies alone. Be separate, as commanded in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. You cannot afford to do things the way unbelievers or careless Christians do them. The eagle has a long range vision. An eagle is capable of seeing from afar, both its prey and its enemies (like the serpent, trying to sneak into its nest to steal eggs or kill its young ones). This strong vision of the eagle keeps the enemy away. We as eagle ambassadors must be vigilant and not allow the enemy to sneak into our lives. We must get rid of the little foxes that spoil our vine – the little foxes of unbelief, sorrow, depression and all such things. We must practice peace, joy and righteousness. We must not allow the enemy to infiltrate our homes, finances, relationship, health and spiritual well-being (1 Peter 5:. We must steadfastly resist the devil at all times (James 4:7). Additionally, an eagle tests before trusting. A female eagle chooses her mate with care. Christian leaders have a lot to learn here. We must be prayerful and exercise great care in choosing our partners and subordinates.
Key Point:
Eagles are peculiar birds. A heaven-bound Christian is God’s favourite and should be unique.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Tuesday 28 October 2014
THEME : DEBORAH, THE PATRIOTIC WOMAN
Memorise:
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Proverbs 31:10
Read: Judges 4:4–9
4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali,and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstandingthe journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 KINGS 14:1-15:32 and PROVERBS 18:1-14
Message
Deborah was a patriotic woman. She was a prophetess, who used the anointing of God on her life to judge and instruct Israel in the way of righteousness. Are you a virtuous woman? In what way is your life affecting your community? The name Deborah means ‘bee’. She lived up to her name by her industry, sagacity and great usefulness to the society, her sweetness to her friends and her sharpness against her enemies. How far does your name influence you? What influence does the name of Christ have upon you? Have you been able to influence others to Christ? Deborah was said to be the wife of Lapidoth. ‘Lapidoth’ means ‘lamp’. As one associated with light, Deborah was a blessing to her community. Are you a blessing or a curse to your family, friends, acquaintances, neighbours, community, state or nation? Deborah was intimately acquainted with God. She was a judge and a prophetess. How close are you to the Almighty? From the life of Deborah, we learn that God depends on man to carry out His rescue operations and programmes. However, no man should see himself as indispensable. God can use anyone. Any man or woman who purges himself or herself can be used as a vessel unto honour by the Master. 2 Timothy 2:21 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.”
Don’t be too big for God. He has alternatives. As a prophetess and a judge, Deborah’s head was perpetually greased by the oil of the anointing. To excel in God’s service, you need the anointing. It is the anointing that destroys the yoke. Deborah was picked from among the rebellious multitude in Israel. God still has His own vessels. He uses whoever yields himself or herself to Him. Deborah did not allow her gender and other issues of time and life to block her focus or stifle her consecration. She was entirely devoted to the service of God in Israel. There is no person without challenges. However, God expects diligence and total consecration in whatever is committed to your hands. Deborah was a good leader. She gave her followers the assurance of victory and did not fail. She raised their hope, and she delivered. Are you a morale-booster or a discourager? She helped the faith of her subordinates to grow strong. She was also submissive to her husband. How submissive are you?
Key Point:
God is no respecter of persons. What He needs from you is holy living. Live a life of holiness and you will be used of God.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Monday 27 October 2014
THEME : LIVING BY FAITH
Memorise:
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews 10:38
Read: Mark 11:22–23
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 KINGS 12-13 and PROVERBS 17:15-28
Message
Faith is part of the nature of God. God lives by faith, and every child of God is expected to live as God lives. Are you a child of God? You are expected to live by faith. You are expected to live to please God and Him alone. Hebrews 11:6 says:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Faith can be defined as trust, strong belief and unquestioning confidence. Faith means belief in God. It is the belief that God can do what He says He can do. Faith is belief in God’s word. You need to have faith in God! Generally, there are two kinds of faith. These are: physical or natural (human) faith, and spiritual or supernatural faith. All human beings have some measure of faith. You need faith for salvation, sanctification,justification, wholeness or health of the spirit, soul and body. You need faith to live the Christian life, to walk the Christian walk, to remove the obstacles blocking your way to heaven, to live holy, to live above the world and to enter into the rest of God. However, it should be noted that faith standing alone is not sufficient. Certain things need to be added to it (2 Peter 1:5-10). It is risky for a ministry to be built on faith alone because it could die as a result. This is because, as the faith on which such a ministry is founded begins to die, the ministry itself will also begin to die.
Do you want to live by faith? First, have the faith of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20). Then add virtue or good behaviour to your faith. Ensure that you live holy and righteously. To virtue, add knowledge. Don’t allow ignorance to destroy you. To knowledge, add temperance and to temperance, add patience. To patience, add godliness. To godliness, add brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness, add love. Secondly, let everything added to your faith abound in you. Be diligent in making them flourish in you. It is dangerous to live by faith alone. If you fail to add virtue and other qualities to your faith, you might end up becoming barren, unfruitful, blind and short sighted. For you to live by faith therefore, you should first and foremost be born-again, and diligently develop your faith to reach the measure of that of the Son of God. Pray constantly in the Holy Ghost and live in perpetual obedience to the will of God. Hate sin and shun bad company, ungodly habits, pride and false doctrine.
Action Point:
No life is more fulfilling than living by faith. Begin to live by the faith of the Son of God today.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Sunday 26 October 2014
THEME : SUCCESS BY THE SUPERNATURAL
Memorise:
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18
Read: Isaiah 1:18–19
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 KINGS 10-11 and PROVERBS 17:1-14
Message
How do you live great and die great? How does a person experience good success in perpetuity? It is by drawing upon the supernatural for good success. How does a man do this? The first thing to do is to know God, the Author of success.
The first step to knowing God is to know who you are as a human being. The scriptures confirms that man is the epitome of God’s creation (Genesis 1:27). Man is a great being because He was made in the image of God. You should however know that all men have sinned, and the wages of sin is death. In the area of sin, man is helpless because he cannot save himself. Only Jesus, who is God that came in the form of man, can save man from sin. Man can only experience smooth fellowship with God when he is delivered from sin. The second step to knowing God is to confess your weaknesses, short-comings, failures and misdemeanours to God. After this, repent whole-heartedlyand accept God’s salvation. It is not enough to know God. Whoever will draw upon the supernatural for good success should love God. Loving God is crucial in your bid to experience good success. You should love God because He first loved you. In addition to loving God, you should endeavour to please Him. When a man’s way pleases God, the Almighty will cause even his enemies to be at peace with Him. You should also fellowship with God. One of the main reasons for the creation of man was God’s desire for fellowship. You enjoy fellowship with God when you enter His gates with sincere thanksgiving as His child. Recognise the Name of Jesus and call on Him. You should pay your vows, which includes dealing thoroughly with sins. To remain in fellowship with God, you should never usurp His glory. Speak constantly to the Father in the Spirit and glorify Jesus through the Spirit. Proper fellowship produces great results, such as divine provision, divine protection, divine prosperity and divine promotion. Added to fellowship is asking. Whoever will draw upon the supernatural for good success should learn to ask God for success through prayers and fasting. Thanksgiving is also crucial to this experience. As a Christian who wishes to experience good success always, you should give thanks always. Let your thanksgiving outnumber your requests. Thank God for who He is, what He has done, who you are, what you have and for what you will have.
Action Point:
Thanksgiving is crucial to drawing upon the supernatural for good success. Spend quality time in thanksgiving to God today.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Monday 20 October 2014
THEME : A CHRISTIAN YOUTH AT HOME
Memorise:
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
Ecclesiastes12:1
Read: Ephesians 6:1–3
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 SAMUEL 23-24 and PROVERBS 14:18-31
Message
A Christian family is a place for the formation of talents, aspirations and desires. It is a breeding ground of creativity and a place of safety and security. A Christian family is expected to be a place of bliss. It will only be so when the relationship between the parents and the children (especially the grown-up children) is cordial. This is possible when children have chosen the path of obedience. Are you a Christian child, teenager or adult, still living with your parents or on your own? You have certain responsibilities to perform, which might not be required of unbelieving youths. For example, it is a scriptural command that you obey your parents. It is a dangerous thing for children to disobey their parents, except when their instructions contravene scriptural commandments. It is also mandatory that you love your parents. It is disastrous to neglect either of them or play one parent against the other. Family devotional time should be lively, and it is the duty of a grown-up child to actively participate in this. Be busy for God and engage in productive activities and hobbies that will make your parents happy. It is your responsibility to help your parents and siblings. Be observant to identify the needs of your parents; if it lies within your ability to meet the need, you must be willing to help them out. Contrary to what many may think, one of the most basic needs of parents is self-esteem.
A Christian youth should be a model to others in love, kindness, productivity, holiness, godliness and obedience. Whenever you have to make serious and delicate decisions, don’t do it alone. Always seek for the advice of others, especially elderly and more experienced people. Seek for guidance so as not to falter. Be an example to others in prayer. Pray constantly for your family, love your home, have the interest of your family at heart and seek its welfare. Your good relationship should not be limited to members of your nuclear family alone. Seek to relate well with members of other families as well. Your relationship should be cordial. Demonstrate love to them and find occasion to help them. However, it is improper to divulge the secret of your family to outsiders. Do not criticise or condemn your family in front of members of other families. Furthermore, your relationship with God should be unquestionable.Love God and demonstrate that you love Him in speech and actions. To play your role successfully as a Christian youth, you must be committed to the Person of Jesus and to a pattern of living that befits His representative.You must also be committed to people and to God’s plan of showing Christ to the world.
Action Point:
Be Christ-conscious as a Christian youth because without Him, you are nothing.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Sunday 19 October 2014
THEME : HERE COMES THE DREAMER
Memorise:
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Job 33:15–16
Read: Genesis 37:9–19
9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
12 And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.
13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.
14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
15 And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
16 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.
17 And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.
18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 SAMUEL 21-22 and PROVERBS 14:4-17
Message
Dreams are important. Psychoanalysts believe that dreams are an indication of the dreamer’s inner longings, desires and cravings, released from the deep sub-conscious during the state of sleep. Dreams can therefore be the manifestation of the inner yearnings of the dreamer’s heart let loose during sleep; they can also be spiritually induced. Dreams play a significant role in the life of human beings. Paul received direction on where to preach next through a dream in Acts 16:9:
“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”
Dreams are sometimes mysterious; such dreams convey revelations. To understand them, interpretation is required. Have you been having strange experiences in your dreams? My sincere prayer is that the Good Lord will grant you victory in your dreams and turn your God-sent dreams into reality in Jesus’ Name. Dreams can be classified by their features. One such classification includes: dreams as a message from God or the devil; dreams as the carrier of a message concealed in mysteries; and dreams as a result of activity or thoughts. Sources of dreams are God, the devil and the flesh. God relates with man through dreams for specific reasons. These reasons can be any of these: to instruct him to carry out an action (Matthew 2:13), to warn him of an impending danger (Matthew 2:22), to teach him (Job 33:15-16), to encourage him (Genesis 31:10-13), to rebuke him (Genesis 31:24), to correct him (Genesis 20:3-7) and to bless or make a covenant with him (Genesis 28:12-15). The devil relates with man to cause fear and unbelief, to inflict man with sicknesses or death, to make diabolical covenants with him and to mislead him. Most dreams men have are from the flesh. A dream from the flesh simply means the revelation of the dreamer’s carnal longings and desires being let loose at the moment of sleep. Are you facing afflictions in your dreams? Please check your life. How pure are your thoughts? How will you rate your prayer life? All these go a long way in determining the type of dreams you have. Moreover, many people dream and can be described as mere dreamers, whereas those who succeed in life are men and women with a dream. However, while the dreamer talks much but does little, the person with a dream talks little but does much. Which are you: a mere dreamer or a person with a dream?
Action Point:
Those who make it in life do something about their dreams. They attempt the impossible, thereby discovering what God can do. Do something about your dream today.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Friday 10 October 2014
THEME : IDENTIFYING PRIDE
Memorise:
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Matthew 23:12
Read: Isaiah 14:12-17
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 SAMUEL 1-2 and PROVERBS 9:13-10:7
Message
One of the most subtle and hazardous problems of leadership is the peril of pride. The very fact that a man has risen to a position of leadership with its attendant prominence tends to engender secret self-congratulation and pride which if not checked, will make such a fellow unfit for further advancement in the service of God’s kingdom. Pride is a fundamental sin that aims at enthroning self at the expense of God. Pride was the sin that converted Lucifer from an anointed cherub and guardian of the throne of God, to the devil – the leader of evil and the most cruel and unpleasant spirit. It was this same pride that caused the expulsion of Lucifer from Heaven. Isaiah 14:12 says,
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”
Pride is subtle. It is a sin whose presence its victim is least conscious of. This hydra-headed spiritual monstrosity assumes various forms. The most abhorrent of these forms is spiritual pride. Since pride is a subtle sin, how can you discover whether or not you have succumbed to its flatteries? First, spiritual pride manifests itself mostly in Christian service. To identify whether you manifest pride in your service or not, you should endeavour to sincerely answer these questions: How do you react when another person is selected for the assignment you expected? How do you react when another person is promoted and you are overlooked? How do you react when another person outshines you in gifts and accomplishments? Secondly, be honest. How do you feel when others, especially your rivals say negative things about you? Thirdly, submit yourself to the test of criticism. This is part of the price that must be paid daily by a leader. No leader is exempted from criticism. It should be noted that there is nothing else that so kills the efficiency, capability and initiative of a leader as unhelpful, destructive criticism. It tends to hamper and undercut the efficiency of a man’s thinking process. It chips away at his self-respect and undermines his confidence in his ability to cope with his responsibilities. However, criticism is equally a powerful instrument in assessing the presence of pride in a leader’s life. The pride or humility of a leader can be clearly seen in the leader’s reaction to criticisms. To identify the presence of pride in your life, you should ask if criticism causes hostility and resentment in your heart, causes you to immediately try to justify yourself and if you hasten to respond by in turn criticising the critic.
Action Point:
To overcome the peril of pride, you should be honest and measure yourself by the life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who humbled Himself, even to death on the cross.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL..
DATE : Thursday 9 October 2014
THEME : INFALLIBLE OR INDISPENSABLE?
Memorise:
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12
Read: 1 Corinthians 3:4–11
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 SAMUEL 29-31 and PROVERBS 9:1-12
Message
Grace is crucial to our growth in Christ. As Christians, we need the grace of God to overcome all the perils on our way to Heaven. Two of such perils are the feelings of infallibility and indispensability. Nobody, no matter how spirit-filled, is incapable of making mistakes. A spiritual leader must be willing to concede the possibility of mistakes and should be able to yield to the advice and criticism of other brethren. The mindset of being infallible is a problem which many sound Christians fall victim to. A leader who knows God, and probably knows Him better than his colleagues, is in danger of falling unconsciously into this subtle peril. Do you have the impression that you are infallible? Do you think you are incapable of making mistakes? Beware! This feeling possibly emanates from the fact that you are talented, spiritual and your sense of judgment has been proved to be more accurate than that of others, or from the fact that you are capable of praying, thinking and wrestling with problems more earnestly and successfully than your colleagues and peers. This kind of feeling is dangerous. If care is not taken, pride will set in, and a time may come when you will be unwilling to yield to the advice of others. Nobody is infallible.
Also, nobody is indispensable. No one is too important to be without. Nobody is irreplaceable. God always has substitutes. When King Saul became obstinate and disobedient to God, he was replaced by David. The knowledge that God has substitutes should make you humble and keep you on your toes. This same knowledge should encourage you to delegate responsibilities properly and mentor younger ones. Many leaders cling to authority long after it should have been passed on to younger men because of the thought that they are irreplaceable. They believe that in the best interest of the work, they should not relinquish office. Are you a Christian leader? Are you a minister or a worker in God’s vineyard? Be informed that you are neither indispensable nor irreplaceable. Are you a missionary? No missionary is indispensable. Any missionary who has made himself indispensable to the church he planted has done a great disservice to the church. From the earliest days of planting a church, a missionary should set it up in such a way that he will remain in the background. He should cultivate in the members a real dependence on the Lord and train spiritual men who as soon as practicable, would assume full responsibility over the work. Practical solutions to the peril of feeling indispensable are humility and mentoring. Go ahead and replicate yourself in others through mentoring.
Action Point:
Be actively involved in follow-up, discipleship and mentoring of younger Christians.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Wednesday 8 October 2014
THEME : FAITHFULNESS
Memorise:
His lord said unto him, Well done, 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.
Matthew 25:23
Read: Matthew 25:22-30
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, 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.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 SAMUEL 26:28 and PROVERBS 8:22-36
Message
Unfaithfulness or disloyalty is a challenge facing Christian leadership today. Inability to be faithful, loyal, stable and consistent is the greatest killer of ministries and businesses. The feeling that there is a shorter and quicker way to achieve goals is present in all men. Satan capitalises on this tendency and many people, including Christians, are tricked into following rebels and dissident visionaries. Many people are unfaithful to their superiors out of ignorance. The problem of unfaithfulness is not limited to the world; it is also seen in the church. The devil uses the example of tyrannical church leaders to create a culture of rebellion and disloyalty within the church. 1 Corinthians 4:2 says:
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
Christians are to be faithful to God and to their leaders – both spiritual and secular. Leaders also are expected to be faithful to their followers and subordinates. Are you a church leader? You have to be careful in your utterances and actions, so as not to cause rebellion and disloyalty within your ranks. Without knowing it, many church leaders are essentially rebellious and disloyal. They teach their followers rebellion by the things they say and do; yet they do not understand why anyone is unfaithful or disloyal to them. There are at least three common causes of disloyalty in people. First, there are some people whose personality can best be described as erratic. These are people who have a disposition to making sudden decisions. They can alter the plan of their life within minutes. They can change their entire course within seconds. This is a very dangerous trait. The ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ is not safe in the hands of erratic leaders. Today, they are ministers of the gospel, tomorrow they become social activists. Some switch suddenly from being full time ministers of Christ to becoming full time politicians. One day, they are faith preachers; the next day, they are against the faith movement. The second cause of disloyalty is financial considerations.The third common cause of disloyalty is a deviation from God’s direction for your life. Many people miss God’s direction for their lives and because of this, they end up in complicated situations. Such people are often forced into disloyalty by their own mistakes. God expects that you should be faithful to Him. You should also be faithful to your leaders and your subordinates. Finally, be faithful to your calling and be responsible in financial matters.
Action Point:
Resolve to be faithful to your leaders and subordinates today.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2014
THEME: PEACE AND HOLINESS
MEMORISE: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14
READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 7:1-12
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 24-25 and PROVERBS 8:1-21
MESSAGE
To succeed in life and make it to heaven, you need both vision and action. Vision is no doubt one of the most powerful forces available to man on earth today. Vision gives meaning to life. Action springs out of what we fundamentally desire. Someone once said, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision is just passing the time. Vision with action can change the world.” Specifically, what vision, coupled with action is needed to change the world and ensure that we make it to heaven? It is the vision of peace and holiness. We need peace to change the world. Christians are enjoined to follow peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14). The Bible also makes it clear that peace makers shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).
As a Christian, you are expected to live at peace with your neighbours. The first group of neighbours you should be at peace with are your loved ones. These include members of your household or family. Ensure that you live at peace with all members of your nuclear family which includes: your spouse, your children, your parents and your siblings. You should also live peacefully with all members of your extended family, being your uncles and aunties, cousins, nieces and nephews. You should endeavour to live peacefully with all members of your family, regardless of their religion and regardless of whether they give you peace of mind or not. It is unscriptural for a Christian to neglect his or her children or aged parents. Take good care of your children, parents and all your loved ones. Ensure that you give them peace of mind. Another group of people we should live peacefully with are those living in the same community with us. Demonstrate true Christianity in your relationship with every member of your neighbourhood. Let them identify the love of God in your utterances and actions. Aside from your loved ones, it is your responsibility to live peacefully with those who are not kindly disposed to you. These include your persecutors and critics. Endeavour to be at peace with all who despitefully use you. Additionally, you should pray for peace in your community, nation and the entire world. It is your responsibility to pray for global peace and share the Prince of peace with all the people who are in need of salvation. Be prayerful and active in soul-winning, follow-up and discipleship. It is however not enough to follow peace with all men. It is mandatory for you as a child of God to live holy. Note that the only group of people that will see God are the pure in (Matthew 5:.
ACTION POINT:
Make peace with your neighbours and all who have offended you.
AUTHOR: Pst E. A. ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Monday 6 October 2014
THEME : A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS
Memorise:
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:3
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-7
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 SAMUEL 21-23 and PROVERBS 7:10-27
Message
I believe that knowledge and wisdom are crucial to our greatness in life. Simply put, knowledge is information that is censored by intelligence, while wisdom is the right application of knowledge. One piece of knowledge every child of God should have is the fact that every sincere Christian is a soldier of the cross. Christians are combatants, and we are expected to be equipped for battle. Ephesians 6:11 says,
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
The first group of enemies Christians wrestle against are principalities,powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). It is our duty as soldiers of the cross to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). A saint is holy, and the faith delivered to the saints is of great value. Therefore, no evil conduct must be found or even mentioned among soldiers of the cross. How should a soldier of the cross live? We are to resist the devil (James 4:7). Resisting an opposing force is serious business. Whoever will resist the devil should first and foremost submit himself or herself to God. Prioritise only the needful in your life and let God be your first priority. As soldiers of the cross, the principle of proper prioritisation is relevant to our growth in Christ. Someone once said the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first. Many Christians find it difficult to make God their first priority because petty and mundane matters steal much of their time. Unfortunately, many are living for the wrong things. They fail to know that part of being wise is to know what to overlook. If God will be your Number One, there are many things you will have to flee from or refuse to touch. One of such things is sexual immorality. The scripture enjoins us to flee fornication (1 Corinthians 6:18). In the same vein, we should flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). A Christian soldier knows, as Paul did, that all things are lawful, but not all things are expedient. As a soldier of the cross, it is your duty to be sober, vigilant and watchful. You should set your affection on heavenly things, not on the mundane (Colossians 3:2). Soldiers of the cross are the elect of God and should therefore put on the attributes of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and longsuffering. We should learn to bear with one another and to forgive one another. Finally, every soldier of the cross is expected to demonstrate the true love of God. You should also be thankful and allow the peace of God to rule in your heart.
Action Point:
Spend quality time in worship and in singing spiritual songs with grace in your heart to God.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Saturday 4 October 2014
THEME : SOCIAL DEVIANTS!
Memorise:
Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
1 Peter 4:2
Read: Acts 17:5-9
5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 SAMUEL 17:1-18:16 and PROVERBS 6:16-27
Message:
A Christian can be described as a little Christ. While on earth, Christ exhibited integrity in all His utterances and actions. He said His children would do greater works. Are you born-again? Are you a true child of God? With self-disciplineand appropriate preparation, you can become effective in exhibiting integrity. Integrity as a way of life and our effectiveness in every field depends on the measure of our preparation. The more prepared we are, the more effective we become. Therefore, to become effective in exhibiting integrity, you must be prepared.
God’s standard for His children is perfection (Matthew 5:48). It is pathetic to note that many societies lack integrity. In a society where integrity has become a scarce commodity, a person of integrity is sometimes seen as a social deviant. Occasionally, efforts are made by bad elements of such societies to neutralise his or her influence. This can be by subtle or outright persecution, imposition of sanctions, or by a collective effort to undermine his or her personality. History confirms however that a person of integrity is always a winner. Why? He or she is consistent and credible. Are you a person of integrity? Credibility defines integrity. The benefit of integrity is confidence and the ability to influence others positively. The more credible you are, the more confidence people place in you, thereby granting you the privilege of influencing their lives. The contrast is also true. The less credible you are as a person, the less confidence people place in you, and the more quickly you lose your position of influence. Are you a Christian leader? The secret to rising and not falling is integrity. Integrity is germane to your success in ministry. There is no denying the fact that the more credible you are, the longer your staying power and the more successful your ministry will be. In the same vein, the less credible you are, the shorter your staying power and the less successful your ministry will be. Every leader needs integrity because it builds trust. A man must have followers in order to be a leader. In order to have followers, a leader must have their confidence. Hence, the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, whether it is in a church, on a football field, in an army barrack or in an office. If a man’s associates find him guilty of being a phony, if they find out that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. Your teachings and actions must square up with each other. Society may see them as deviants but the first great need of a Christian leader is integrity and high purpose. Are you viewed as a social deviant? Don’t lose your integrity.
Key Point:
A man’s character determines the character of his organisation. Be a person of integrity.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Friday 3 October 2014
THEME : INTEGRITY
Memorise:
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Matthew 3:8
Read: Matthew 7:15-20
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 SAMUEL 14:47-16:23 and PROVERBS 6:1-15
Message:
It is pathetic but true: integrity is a scarce commodity nowadays. The unvarnished truth is that almost all nations parade those who plead guilty to fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, immoralities, perjury, making of false statements and other criminal acts. Modern society is in dire need of people of integrity. A person is identified by his or her integrity. Matthew 7:16 says:
“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”
What is integrity? Integrity can be defined as steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. It is a state of being unimpaired of soundness; the quality of being whole or of having undivided completeness. Integrity is a synonym for honesty. It manifests itself as what is called incorruptibility. Are you corrupt or incorruptible? Are you a man or woman of integrity? There are certain things to note about integrity. First, integrity is a skill: It is a practical skill. It is the ability to practice honesty and to exhibit moral courage in all ramifications. As with all skills, integrity is developed and learned over time. Integrity is a trait that is taught and learned over an entire lifetime. We need men and women of integrity in our society. Integrity can be integrated into a society through sound ideological precepts and practices. Secondly, integrity is a guideline, a benchmark, point of reference or a goal that is used to make decisions based on truth and honesty. To maintain integrity, a person must remember to refer to truth and honesty in all decisions, thoughts, actions and reactions. Thirdly, integrity can be described as a great tower. It is something that a person builds and maintains over a lifetime. May I ask: when will you begin to build your own tower of integrity? Fourthly, integrity can be considered as a seed. It is planted in childhood, watered in youth and blossoms in adulthood. The more a person waters this seed throughout life, the more it grows and blossoms. Just as it is with plants, if integrity is neglected at any point, it will wither and die. Integrity requires constant maintenance. A man or woman of integrity can be likened to a janitor. As a janitor cleans and straightens rooms for a living, a person of integrity should maintain true integrity through daily self-assessmentin moral and financial probity. The fifth point to note is that integrity is delicate. If care is not taken, integrity can be eroded, lost or compromised beyond recognition in a person’s life. Integrity means what a person says and what he or she does are the same; the results are consistent. Are you a person of integrity?
Action Point:
Resolve to maintain integrity in all your thoughts, utterances and actions from today.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
TUESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2014.
THEME : FEAR NOT!
MEMORISE : Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
JEREMIAH 33 : 3.
READ : ISAIAH 43 : 1 - 7.
1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 SAMUEL 8 : 19 - 10 : 16 & PROVERBS 4 : 10 - 19.
Everyone has someone he or she turns to in the time of trouble. When trouble comes, some people turn to their friends, while some turn to their family. Some turn to witch doctors while others turn to idols. Some even turn to false prophets. In 1 Kings 18 : 26 - 29, the Bible tells us how some people called on the idol of Baal, but he did not hear them. Do not turn to idols that have mouths but cannot speak. Do not put your trust in a man of God. Put your trust in God only. The moment you trust in the prayers and powers of man, you are putting a curse on yourself ( Jeremiah 17 : 5 ). Those who trust in the Lord when trouble arises are the ones who triumph. Long after the trouble is gone, they will still be standing ( Psalm 125 : 1 - 2 ). It is only the Almighty God that is available at all times. Once in a while, we find ourselves in a situation where there seems to be no way out. If you are a true child of God, there is always a way out. God will make a way where there seems to be no way. When there seems to be no way, turn to the One who is the Way, and He will take you through locked doors, as He did in the case of Peter in Acts 12:10.
Whenever you call on the Almighty God, He does not delay in answering. There is only one reason why you may call and He will not answer; that is if there is sin in your life and you refuse to let go of that sin. David said in Psalm 138 : 3 :
“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”
This is the way of God. God does not delay. He does not enjoy seeing His people in poverty, sickness or sorrow. He does not want you to suffer. If you let go of sin, there is no reason why your prayer will not be answered immediately. In today’s Bible reading, twice the Lord says to you: “Fear not”. This can mean several things. It could mean that there is something that can produce fear but the Almighty God is saying that you should not pay attention to it. Fear comes from something you can see or hear. In 2 Corinthians 5 : 7, the Bible says we walk by faith and not by sight. In order words, we refuse to look at things that bring fright. Faith also comes by what we hear ( Romans 10 : 17 ). When others are bringing their evil reports from the devil, you are to hear the report of the Lord. You will have to decide on which one to choose. The report of the Lord is that, with Him, nothing shall be impossible. Therefore fear not.
ACTION POINT :
Make this proclamation: “It doesn’t matter what may happen tomorrow, all will be well with me”.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...

DATE: Monday 29 September 2014

THEME : THE NEXT LEVEL

Memorise:
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Matthew 23:12

Read: Psalm 40:1-3
1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 SAMUEL 6:1-8:18 and PROVERBS 3:28-4:9
Message
The world operates at various levels, so do the people living in it. When we talk about health, there are those who are healthy, there are those who are sick, there are those who are seriously sick and there are those who are dying. When we talk about wealth, there is the destitute, the poor, the comfortable, the rich, the very rich, the wealthy, and the flourishing. The flourishing are those who according to the Bible, can afford to lend to nations. There are also those who have such abundance that it is difficult to imagine. In 2 Chronicles 1:15, we read that in the days of Solomon, silver and gold were like stones. When we talk about joy, there are also various levels of joy: there are those who are sad, there are sympathisers, there are those who have joy and those with great joy, there is the fullness of joy available in the presence of God (Psalm 16:11), and then there is “joy unspeakable” (1 Peter 1:. Similarly, there are various levels of victory. There is victory obtained from a fight, there is victory obtained without a fight, there is a victory where the enemy miraculously disappears. Then, Psalm 23:5 reveals another dimension of victory:
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
There is nothing as glorious as rejoicing before incapacitated enemies while they watch.
We have seen that there are different levels with respect to different things in this world, and that everyone is at one level or the other. It doesn’t matter what your current level is, there is a higher level you can go to. The question you should therefore ask yourself is: “How do I move to the next level?” There are three possible scenarios you may encounter when trying to move from one level to another. First, you may try to move to the next level unassisted. Secondly, you may move to the next level assisted. In the third scenario, you may be resisted while trying to move to the next level. Those trying to move to the next level unassisted will face problems because you need a hand to help you up. You need Jesus to get to the next level, and He is ready to help you if you will surrender your life to Him. If God decides to assist you, He can take you from the prison to the throne in one night as He did for Joseph in the Bible. If you get assistance from the devil, you will pay dearly for it. But when God is the one assisting you, the sky is not your limit; you will go beyond the sky. Thus, surrender your life to Christ now so that He can take you to the next level.
Action Point:
Think of the next level you will attain to make stagnation become history in your life; then call on the Name of Jesus for divine assistance.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL..

DATE : Saturday 27 September 2014
THEME : KNOW YOUR CALLING
Memorise:
Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
1 Corinthians 7:20
Read: 1 Corinthians 12:1-7
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 SAMUEL 1-2 and PROVERBS 2:20-3:12
Message
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote to tell us in today’s Bible reading that he would not want us to be ignorant of the truth concerning our calling as children and workers in the vineyard. It is needless to emphasise the danger of ignorance as stated in Hosea 4:6. Our Lord Jesus Christ also emphasised the importance of knowing the truth for perfect freedom when in John 8:32 He said:
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
In other words, falsehood can hold people captive! In Proverbs 22:29, we read that a man who is diligent in business shall stand before kings. In what business did the Bible refer to? In his own business of course! What happens if a person is found in other people’s business? No doubt, it will be an exercise in futility or an unprofitable venture. You have to be diligent in your own business, which is where you will be rewarded. The Bible in Songs of Solomon 1:6 says:
“…my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.”
Take to heart the following lessons from today’s Bible reading. First, it is possible for Christians to be ignorant of facts about spiritual gifts. Secondly, there are many gifts in the body of Christ, but no one can or should lay claim to having all of the gifts. Thirdly, it is the Holy Spirit who distributes gifts to every believer as He chooses. Fourthly, as there are differences in administration of the gifts, so also is there division of labour among those these gifts are administered to. A believer should therefore beware of arrogating all the activities in the Church to himself because it will be counter-productive. Fifth, though there are differences in operations from believer to believer, the same Holy Spirit works in all genuine believers. Sixth, the Holy Spirit gives different assignments to different believers to profit with. This means the gift is for the edification of the entire Body of Christ. It is not for the fun of it that believers are endowed with one gift or another; neither is it for self-gratification. The seventh lesson is that no gift is superior to another; neither is any inferior to another. For this reason, Paul further wrote to warn us against discriminating in the use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:15-17). Therefore beloved, let us work together as many members, but as one indivisible Body of Christ, with everyone playing his or her role as enabled by the Lord. We shall not miss our reward in Jesus’ Name.
Action Point:
Examine your life and find out what area of the ministry the Lord as endowed you with gifts for. Dedicate yourself and be diligent in it.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Friday 26 September 2014
THEME : CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN LIVING
Memorise:
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:4
Read: John 15:4-8
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : RUTH 1-4 and PROVERBS 2:1-19
Message
Today’s scripture reading reveals a great secret of not only fruitfulness but also of God being with us. Emmanuel is not real to many so-called children of God because they are on their own. This is why they are caught in many horrible acts, and terrible things attend to their daily living. This scripture reveals the part we need to play for us to experience God as the present help in times of need (Psalm 46:1). He has promised not to leave nor forsake us. We must remember that the Almighty God is forever faithful. Though the world may deny Him, He cannot deny Himself. Though the whole world may be unfaithful, He remains faithful to His words and even to His creation! What is our part in this bargain? We must abide in Him. In other words, we must consistently live our lives as Christians. We should never take a break from living holy.
In light of this revealed truth, it is pertinent for all children of God who want to enjoy the presence of Emmanuel, to abide in Him so that the ever-willing Heavenly Father may be with them. How do we abide in Him? Ecclesiastes 12:13 says:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
We must fear God and keep His commandments. Today, some people overstretch the grace we enjoy in the New Testament. Mischievously, they often say that we are no longer under the dispensation of the law, hence they can now do whatever they like. They seem to be saying: “Let us commit sin the more so that we can make maximum use of the available grace!” They are ‘practical atheists’ who believe in God with their mouths but fail to acknowledge Him and His Holiness. They do not see Him as the Consuming Fire. Paul in Romans 6:15 asked:
“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”
When we experience God as “God with us”, this attracts multiple blessings. One of these is the opportunity to pray and receive instant answers to our prayers. Jesus in John 15:7 said:
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Thus, let us abide in Him because He is willing to make His abode with us and give us comfort.
Prayer Point:
Father, help me to be consistent in my Christian living in Jesus’ Name.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Thursday 25 September 2014
THEME : DEFEATIST VOICE
Memorise:
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
Numbers 13:30
Read: 1 Samuel 17:33-39
33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JUDGES 20-21 and PROVERBS 1:20-33
Message
A backslider is known by his or her language. When you listen to the vocabulary of someone who is no longer with God, you will know very quickly that the fellow is a backslider. King Saul had become a backslider when he met David and God had already rejected him. When the problem of Goliath came, as big as he was, he could not stand before Goliath (1 Samuel 10:23). He felt that since he could not face Goliath, this would be true of everyone else. He however received the shock of his life when David showed up. For somebody reading this devotional, the Lord will make you a standard where others have compromised, in Jesus’ Name. In Numbers 13:31-33, we have the story of the ten spies. When they came back from the land flowing with milk and honey, they said “The land is good; however, we cannot take it because of the presence of giants there”. Backsliders always think negatively. There are people who for example believe it is not possible to enjoy divine health all the days of one’s life. There are some people who believe God cannot supply all of their needs without the need to cut corners or play smart. Whenever you hear someone saying “We cannot go forward, let us go back”, you should know you are listening to a backslider. Whenever someone decides to change from doing good to doing the opposite, the person has backslidden.
You must stay away from anything that can annoy God. The more you see His miracles in your life, the closer you must draw to Him. When you separate yourself from God, you will see how vulnerable you can be. You will not be a victim of situation and circumstances in Jesus’ Name. Caleb followed God fully and therefore he could say “We are able”. The song of the steadfast is always full of words like: “I can do it”, “It is possible”, “There is hope”, “I know with God on my side, there is no mountain I cannot climb”. When a man is in contact with God, he sees problems as stepping stones to testimonies. Everyone who is linked with God will be able to say as Paul said in Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Those who are close to God are always singing songs of victory in the face of trouble. They will prefer to go through fire than to bow to compromise, because they know they can’t burn.
Action Point:
Check in what areas of your life you have a defeatist attitude; arise and proclaim what the word of God says about it.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Wednesday 24 September 2014
THEME : DEMONSTRATION OF POWER
Memorise:
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
1 Corinthians 4:20
Read: 2 Corinthians 6:2
2 (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.)
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JUDGES 18-19 and PROVERBS 1:1-19
Message
Just before our Lord Jesus Christ left His disciples, they asked Him about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:6). That kingdom was established on this earth on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost came, and the Holy Ghost has been with us ever since. Those who want to be rulers in the kingdom of God must be baptized in the Holy Ghost. This is the only condition for the demonstration of God’s power on earth. The kingdom of God is the kingdom of power. Only those who have power can rule in the kingdom of God. The power we are talking about here refers to the spiritual power which comes only from the Holy Spirit. As soon as you are born-again, you have access to the kingdom of God (John 3:3). However, it is one thing to have access to the kingdom and another thing to be a partaker of it. Anybody who has Christ has no excuse for being powerless, because Jesus Christ is the power of God. As a ruler in the kingdom of God, you must demonstrate power wherever you go. Paul demonstrated this power wherever he ministered the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 2:4 he said:
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”
There is power anywhere the gospel of Jesus Christ is being preached. It is only the power of God that can bring about a positive transformation in the life of an individual. No power of government can transform. People are thrown into prison in order to reform their character, but in most cases, they return from prison worse off. Those who are born-again know that there is something awesome about the salvation experience that cannot be explained. When Jesus Christ comes into your life, He makes you a new creature. There is no civilian in the kingdom of God. Anyone truly in the kingdom is a soldier, and wherever you go, you are expected to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons. You need the power to be a carrier of God’s glory. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to perform signs and wonders. Our God is a God of signs and wonders and He has assured us that He would supply all the resources we need to perform these signs and wonders, according to Mark 16:15-20. As soon as Jesus gave the orders, the disciples went from place to place. The Lord went with them, and miracles happened. God is no respecter of persons: what He has done for others and through others, He will do for you and through you. If you are not yet born-again, you cannot experience this power, neither can you partake of it. It is for the sons of God (John 1:12).
Prayer point:
Father, what You have done in demonstrating your power through others, do through me also.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Monday 22 September 2014
THEME : NO SUBSTITUTE
Memorise:
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Proverbs 22:29
Read: 1 Samuel 17:34-37
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JUDGES 12-14 and JOB 42:1-9
Message
There is not a single person whose story cannot change in life. David was an unknown man – at least to the army, yet, within a very short period of getting to the battlefield on a visit, he was already standing before King Saul. This is a manifestation of the scripture in Proverbs 22:29. If David had not been a diligent person, when his brother rebuked him, he would have been discouraged (1 Samuel 17:28). Consequently, he would not have represented the nation of Israel against the enemy. There are many of us, who retire after praying for five minutes. There is no substitute for doing it right because nobody gets a miracle that way. There are students who study once and say they already know it all. No wonder they keep on failing. Some people become discouraged after failing an examination once or twice and spiritualise it by saying God did not want them to pass. Our God is a God of success and He has no substitute for excellence and great accomplishment in the lives of His children. If David had not been diligent, he would have ended up like any other ordinary soldier. To make it to the top, you have to be diligent. You need to apply yourself to the things of God for Him to take you to where you ought to be. If you are a hardworking person, there is no doubt about it, God will reward you. God does not bless the lazy. If you have failed as a carpenter, you cannot succeed as a pastor. There are people who feel that ministry is an escape route from the realities of life. Far from it! If you cannot work with people successfully, how do you think you can please the Lord? You must be diligent to be successful (Proverbs 21:5). God never calls a lazy fellow.
It takes diligence to get to the top and it takes diligence to remain there. The problem many people have is that they work hard to get to the top, but when they get there, they relax. You need to work twice as hard to remain at the top than was required of you to get there. This is true both in the secular and in the spiritual world. Many Christians were diligent when they became born-again, but as they matured spiritually, they relaxed. To remain where you are, you have to keep running. If you do not keep moving, those who are behind you will catch up with you and surpass you. More importantly, you have to be diligent to make it to Heaven. 2 Peter 3:13-14 says,
“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
Key Point
If you don’t want to die in poverty, you must be diligent.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Saturday 20 September 2014
THEME : NOT A VICTIM
Memorise:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:8
Read: 1 Peter 5:8-10
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JUDGES 8:29-9:57 and JOB 41:5-17
Message
One lesson every believer must learn is that the devil can never repent. Hence we are not to joke with the devil. If you don’t want to be devoured by the devil, you must resist him and all that he represents steadfastly. As soon as the devil knew that David had been anointed as king, he decided to eliminate him. The devil knows that God wants to do wondrous things in your life. He knows that your tomorrow will be alright, and he is unhappy about all these great promises for your life.
“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
Psalm 121:3-4
Do not underestimate the devil. He is no doubt a liar, and he is very stubborn. However, the good news is that we have a God who can deal with him effectively. If God is on your side, and you are on His side, there is nothing the enemy can do. Every effort the devil makes to put you to shame will always turn out for your good as long as He is on your side. The devil cannot mess around with you and get away with it except the hedge has been broken. This is why every child of God must protect his or her relationship with God. The devil will always want to make you a victim, but God will always ensure you remain a victor because you are operating on a higher covenant.
Sometime ago, a lady received the shock of her life in London. A man proposed to marry her, and all necessary arrangements were made for their wedding. However, on the day of the wedding, gaily dressed, the lady went to the registry to wait for her fiancé who never showed up. What shame, shock and sorrow she got! She passed through deep emotional distress because of the disgrace she faced. After a while, this lady got through the period of pain and later married a man who became a military governor of a state in Nigeria. The man who dumped her became an aide-de-camp (ADC) to her husband. So, anytime she wanted to travel, the man who jilted her was always at her back to open the door for her to come in and go out. If God can do this in the life of someone, you can be sure He is no respecter of persons. Everyone the devil has caused to suffer one form of disappointment or the other will receive divine visitation in Jesus’ Name. Whatever injury, crises or turbulence you might have gone through, the arm of the Almighty God will be revealed in your life to cause a change in your situation and turn it to a great testimony.
Prayer Point
Father, by your power, let everything working against me begin to work for my good.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Friday 19 September 2014
THEME : SELECTIVE BLESSINGS
Memorise:
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Proverbs 11:21
Read: Deuteronomy 23:12-14
12 Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:
13 And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:
14 For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JUDGES 6:36-8:28 and JOB 40:15-41:4
Message
In a gathering of the children of God, God moves round to do two things. He goes round to deliver us from our enemies, and to make these enemies fall before us. As He is moving from one person to another, if He gets to someone who is “unclean”, He would turn away. Such a person is selectively ignored by God. If God leaves us alone for one minute and the devil has his way, we are finished. This is why I pity many people who come to the house of God in clothes that reveal their unclothedness. This is a very dangerous act. When God is moving around to bless people, to deliver and to destroy their enemies, when He gets to their turn and He sees them half naked, He will turn away because His eyes cannot behold iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). When He turns away, the devil is permitted to move in. You know very well that the moment you switch off the light, darkness comes in uninvited. Anytime God turns aside from anyone, the forces of darkness move in, because there can be no vacuum. Another thing people do that causes God to selectively ignore them in a congregation is that, they engage in the act of having side discussions while the service is going on. Some will be having their own meetings, while others will be busy with their phones, answering calls every minute without being sensitive that it is the devil trying to distract them from their blessings. The moment God sees that they are not part of the congregation, He moves away with the blessings meant for them.
There are several instances of God selectively blessing a few within a group in the Bible. Joseph was a member of a family of twelve brothers. He was neither the firstborn nor the lastborn, yet, God picked him for special blessings and said all his brothers will bow down before him. There is a reader of this devotional; this year, the Lord will assign a special blessing to you in Jesus’ Name. David also had seven elder brothers. In fact, when Samuel came and saw the firstborn, he was so sure he was the one God had chosen until God opened his eyes. God rejected all of them until it got to the turn of the one who was not even on the list for selection. I prophesy to you today that, the kind of blessing that even you cannot explain will come your way in Jesus’ Name. At most times, when God selects someone for a special blessing, it is because the one selected has satisfied several conditions that are unknown to other men. No man was there when Joseph refused the offer of Potiphar’s wife. There are many people in church who are not willing to sin when the pastor is there but they are willing to sin against God.
Key Point
When God is the One carrying you, you will be a wonder to yourself and everyone.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Thursday 18 September 2014
THEME : CHURCH ON FIRE
Memorise:
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:33
Read: Acts 5:10-14
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JUDGES 5:1-6:35 and JOB 39:26-40:14
Message
God has expectations for His church. It is His desire that the church would be identified by her firepower. He wants the church to be full of His divine fire. When this happens, satanic agents will no longer be able to operate within or around the assembly of the ‘called out’. There must be fire on the prayer altar at all times. The church should make it impossible for agents of darkness to carry out their nefarious activities in their midst. It is unfortunate that witches and wizards sit down comfortably in many churches. They are at ease due to the lack of fire in the midst of the congregation. We’ve had enough of lukewarm Christianity; the fire must be brought back.
“Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
1 Kings 18:38
An incident happened several years ago at the headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Nigeria. Something reminiscent of what happened in the above passage was re-enacted. There was a woman who was invited to the annual convention. The power of the Holy Spirit was mightily present and the fire was so much that she ran out of the church. From a distance, she was shouting “Please, help me to pick my bag, I must go back home now”. The woman who invited her to church came out to find out why she wanted to leave the service mid-way; she kept on saying she must go home, she insisted she would not return to the church hall. At this point, the friend became inquisitive and after further questioning, she gave this shocking answer: “I’m sorry; I can’t stand the fire in there. The fire burning inside the church is too much for me to bear”. It is indeed surprising that a stranger could attest to the presence of divine fire during the service. It is my desire to see such days again so that the church will no longer be comfortable for agents of darkness.
This is the season of divine fire. God is visiting His church again. The same fire which descended upon the early church, by which divorce, worldliness, gay marriage, corruption etc, became alien to them, will come upon us afresh in Jesus’ Name. When this fire falls, both the clergy and the laity will bow in humble adoration. God is set to do something new in the church, and everyone will experience His awesome power.
Prayer Point:
Father, set the church on fire and let there be a hunger for revival in every worshipper.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Wednesday 17 September 2014
THEME : THE TESTIMONIAL CODE
Memorise:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Read: Matthew 5:13-16
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JUDGES 3:7-4:24 and JOB 39:13-25
Message
A testimonial is an official report about the abilities, qualities and character of somebody. It is often written by a former employer or the head of an academic institution where the person has studied. Sometimes, a person is given an opportunity not because of his credentials or qualifications,but based on his testimonial. This is also applicable to us as Christians. We also have a testimonial by which we are judged. A testimonial could be written in a coded language that only an intending employer can decode. What may seem harmless to you in your testimonial may signal danger to another person reading it. Sometime ago, I came across my own testimonial at Ilesha Grammar School while searching for some documents. What my principal wrote about my character seemed like he was prophesying because he described me as “cool, calm and collected”. I am not quite sure I had those qualities back then. The qualities Jesus outlined for us in today’s Bible reading constitute the code of our testimonial.
The Lord’s first testimony about you is that you are a child of God. Galatians 3:26 says:
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
What is said about you is your recommendation to the world. When our brethren applied for jobs in those days and the employers were considering giving them sensitive positions, they would come to the late founder of the church (The Redeemed Christian Church of God) to get his recommendation about the applicant. Our father-in-the-Lord usually described the applicant as a Christian or as a child of God. If you have sincerely given your life to Jesus, the voice of your testimonial is that you are a child of God. The testimonial of a child of God has special significance. We are called kings and priests in Revelation 1:6. A child of God is a chosen one. He or she is a saint, a holy person and a peculiar person, and is therefore uniquely different. The child of God is the salt of the earth, the arrester of decay and preserver of what is good. As salt, you are to be the end of corruption wherever you are. Jesus expects us to prove Him right by living according to His description of us. All the descriptions and titles he bestowed on us are guaranteed by Him. Writing a testimonial is a risk because people base their judgment on what they know about the writer of the testimonial. Jesus demands that we prove Him right. We should not embarrass Him or put Him to shame by living contrary to His testimonial about us. We should earn our testimonial by a life conformed to His specifications.
Prayer point
Lord, everywhere your descriptions of me have been questioned, please forgive me.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVE S DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Tuesday 16 September 2014
THEME : ROOTED IN CHRIST
Memorise:
Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Psalm 92:13
Read: Psalm 92:12-15
12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousnessin him.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JUDGES 1:1-3:6 and JOB 38:39-39:12
Message
The root is the most important part of a tree. The very life of every tree is in its roots. Also, the strength of every house is in its foundation. If something goes wrong with the foundation, the house will fall. The moment something happens to the root of any tree, it will show on the tree. This is a profound truth. Most of the time, it is the tree that we see and not its roots. That which is unseen is what supports what is seen. The part of a man that keeps him alive cannot be seen with the physical eyes. We cannot see God. However, if God leaves your life, there will be nothing left of you. The Bible in Romans 11:16 says,
“For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.”
This clearly shows that if the one who is your foundation is holy, then you will turn out holy. If the God you serve is a holy God, you will discover that your tendency will be towards holiness. When the root is bitter, the tree is going to be bitter. When somebody offends you and you do not forgive, your actions will show your bitterness; your words also will show your bitterness and it will be difficult for you to live a life of peace and holiness in accordance with Hebrews 12:14-15.
How can you have the grace and power of God? The secret is that your root should be love. This is enunciated in Ephesians 3:17-19:
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
When you embrace love, you will see the attributes of God in every area of your life. Many of us want the power of God. We want to be able to perform miracles. The question that God is asking is: are you willing to love? If you have power without love, you will destroy many people. If you have the abilities of God without the love of God, anybody who offends you is a dead person. For the power of Christ to manifest in you, you need to be rooted in Christ. Examine yourself and think of everything in you that was planted by the devil – bitterness, lack of forgiveness, hatred, sickness, disease, disappointmentsand fear. Ask God to uproot them all. The plan of God is that we being rooted in Him will prosper materially. He wants you to be in good health and He also wants your soul to prosper (3 John 2).
Action Point
Don’t seek for the power of God until you have the love of God.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Monday 15 September 2014
THEME : DEPRESSION IS DEADLY!
Memorise:
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 15:13
Read: Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOSHUA 23-24 and JOB 38:25-28
Message
Many people have lost contact with Heaven because of depression. There is no way you can carry out the divine commission of the Lord with a depressed spirit. It is the joy of the Lord that should rule your heart. There is a pit you must avoid in life; it is the pit of depression. You must avoid this pit because it kills the spirit-man gradually. If you are sorrowful and depressed for too long over the problems of life, you will destroy yourself. Depression can deaden your marrow, and when this happens, death is at the corner. Every day and in every way, let the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength. With the joy of God, you can always confront the problems of life, giving thanks to the Lord in every situation and at all times.
Always take your problems to the Lord in prayer and leave everything at the feet of Jesus. Tell the Lord your heartaches and all your sorrows; you can be sure He will meet you at the very point of your needs. Don’t bottle up your issues, this will lead to depression. God is your Creator and He has the right solutions to all the problems of life. Just pray and never panic. There are many people who are hypertensive today, and are in a very poor state of health because of depression and sorrows. Always learn how to be joyful; never give room for anyone to sentence you to the prison of sorrow. There are people who experience happiness, but God wants you to continue to draw your joy from Him. Happiness comes when something good happens to people. Joy however is like a well of water that springs forth naturally even when nothing has happened. Rejoice in the Lord because you are a new creature and because of the hope you have in Christ Jesus.
The Lord can turn your captivity to freedom and break every limitation on your way. Come out of your sorrow and proclaim the joy of the Lord. The Lord can put an end to poverty and stagnation in your life. It does not matter the years you have spent under the grip of the enemy. What matters is that the Lord is set to do wonderful things in your life. Everything that has been responsible for sorrow, shame and reproach in your life is being turned to a testimony. Through the power of God, every shame can be turned to glory and every sorrow can be turned to joy. Notwithstandingthe arrows shot by the enemy, the Lord will save, deliver and totally set free all those who are under the affliction of depression. Receive your deliverance today in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer point:
Father, deliver me from every satanic depression in Jesus’ Name.
AUTHOR: Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL...
DATE : Sunday 14 September 2014
THEME : CHAMPIONS AND GOALS
Memorise:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
Read: 1 Samuel 17:32-37
32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOSHUA 22 and JOB 38:12-24
Message
Champions are people of rugged determination. Once they set their minds on certain goals, nothing will make them change their minds. They will pursue their goals relentlessly until they arrive at their desired destination. Divine champions see every mountain as a potential testimony. David was so sure that Goliath would end up like the lion and the bear he had killed. In order words, the present problem would become a testimony. Many times when we go to battle, we expect to come back without a scar. Divine champions believe all their goals will be actualised, but not without pain. They don’t bother about the pain because they know that at the end they will have their victory. They are people like Paul who would say: “I forget those things that are behind, and press forward” (Philippians 3:13-14). A divine champion is like a river. A river will always look for a way around an obstruction to get to the ocean.
I suppose David would have said this to himself: “Not one of the sheep given to me by my father would get lost”. All of a sudden, a lion came and grabbed one of the sheep. David faced the lion that was the champion of the forest and killed it. This was what gave David the boldness to confront the champion of the city. Your ability to achieve a particular goal is a function of the ones you have achieved in the past through the help of the Almighty God. When the Lord decided to move us from the first auditorium at the Redemption Camp, there were many people who felt that the auditorium we were moving from was the biggest they had ever seen. Also, when the Lord decided to move us away from the second auditorium to the arena where we presently worship, many said it was impossible, but it happened. Today, the Lord is set to move us to a bigger arena because the children need to occupy the present one. Many of us have lost our miracles because we stopped too soon. A divine champion sets goals believing that with God, nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). I have been challenged by people who say what we want to do is impossible. The moment you say it is impossible, I will want to show you that it is possible. It could take some sweating, fasting, night vigils and a little extra effort, but whatever goals divine champions set before God, they will get it. As a divine champion, it is not all the time you set a goal that you realise it at first instance. Many times, you have to try and try over and over again before you succeed. The important thing is that as a child of God you will win at the end.
Key Point:
In Christ alone lies the strength of a divine champion.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.....
DATE : Saturday 13 September 2014
THEME : WIND OF CHANGE
Memorise:
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:33
Read: 2 Kings 2:11-14
11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
BIBLR IN ONE YEAR :JOSHUA 19:17-21:45 and JOB 37:21-38:11
Message
When the wind blows, you get new power and there is a symbolic change of garment, as it happened in the life of Elisha. After experiencing the wind of change, Elisha took off his old garments and tore them to pieces. It was only after he tore off the old that he put on the mantle that Elijah had dropped off for him. To experience the new power that the wind of change brings, you must be ready to tear off your old garments and get into new garments.
At the time Jesus was crucified, Peter was a terrified weakling who went into hiding. After the wind blew on the day of Pentecost, this same Peter became the first empowered, bold preacher of the gospel of Jesus. In addition to his power-packed preaching, Peter also spoke boldly the words that brought about the first recorded miracle among the early Christians. This is precisely what all Christians of today desperately need: power and grace. The apostles of the early church had so much power that their exploits for God are still inspiring us today. Besides, there was so much grace upon their lives and ministry that even the authority of the established rulers of their day paled into insignificance.Nicodemus came to Jesus and testified to the greatness of His power in John 3:2:
“The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”
This is the time for the wind of change to blow in your life. The Lord Almighty wants to fill your mouth with testimonies. An end has come to all the curses that have been working against you. The anointing of the Lord can break all the curses in your life. This power knows no limitations. The impossibilitieson your way have to be removed because God is poised to do wonders in your life. He wants to put a new song in your mouth that will make your feet break forth into dancing and rejoicing. Get ready for a divine intervention that will divinely position you for uncommon breakthrough. You must however settle your account with the Lord and get rid of sin because it can stand in your way to blessing. God wants you to prosper and be in good health, and so shall it be in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point:
Pray that the anointing will destroy every yoke in your life and family.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE