Open Heavens 26 August 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Reward of Profitable Stewardship

Topic: The Reward of Profitable Stewardship — Saturday 26, August 2017.

Memorise: And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. – Revelation 22:12

Read: Matthew 25:14-23 (KJV)

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Bible in One Year: 1 Chronicles 11-12; Ezekiel 31:10-18, Hymn: Sing hymn 14: Take My Life

MESSAGE:

Christianity entails total submission to the will of God as revealed in His word. A Christian must view God as the ultimate owner of everything, who decides to delegate and distribute a certain measure of His resources to each and every person, according to their ability, for the purpose of making profit. In reality, all that we own isn’t really ours; they are blessings that have been graciously bestowed on us by the Lord(John 3:27). For all that God has given to us, there’s an expectation that comes along with them. The word “stewardship” summarises this arrangement. A steward is a special servant employed to oversee and manage the affairs of a household according to the dictates of the owner. He or she is simply a servant who has been entrusted with the authority to make decisions on behalf of his or her master. All purchases pertaining to the running of a household are made by the steward. Even some very important decisions are made by stewards. For example, Abraham entrusted his steward, Eliezer of Damascus, with the crucial responsibility of choosing a wife for his son Isaac (Genesis 24:2-4). A true Christian operates under the same dynamics today. As a steward over the heritage of God, you should be able to operate without supervision. Everything you do should be done as unto the Lord. You should make certain that the resources you are entrusted with are put to proper use for God and not for personal gain. As God’s steward, you should do everything to ensure that the Lord’s resources are carefully deployed to accomplish His agenda. A steward is a trustworthy ambassador that sometimes stands in the place of God to make decisions and take actions that could have far-reaching effects on people lives. Christian stewardship is therefore an awesome responsibility that should be handled with utmost care. May you never mishandle your responsibility as a representative of the Almighty God in Jesus’ Name.

Click HERE to Read: "Open Heavens 27 August 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Don’t Resist; Run!”

God has very important assignments He wants to execute in this world, and He has entrusted some of these into your hands. One of such assignments is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). God has chosen you as His primary tool to accomplish this awesome task, and He has appointed and equipped you to carry His message of salvation to those who are lost in sin. You must therefore take up this responsibility and fulfil the heartbeat of God. In conclusion, here in this world, there are innumerable benefits awaiting all obedient servants of God. However, the most important reward for profitable stewardship is to be a guest of Jesus at His marriage supper, and to stand before God’s throne to receive commendation and the crown of life from the Master. You will make it in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, help me to be worthy of the ultimate reward for profitable stewardship in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Open Heavens 24 August 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Church of God III

Topic: The Church of God III — Thursday 24, August 2017.

Memorise: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. –Ephesians 5:27

Read: Ephesians 1:1-4 (KJV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Bible in One Year: 1 Chronicles 6-7; Ezekiel 30:5-19, Hymn: Sing hymn 6: Deeper, Deeper

MESSAGE:

The Church of God is a living entity that thrives upon the life of God. The life of Jesus circulates freely through His Church, just as blood flows through the human body. The Church of God feeds on heavenly food, which is the word of God, breathes the atmosphere of heaven, which are the commandments and principles that guide her operations, and thrives on the life of God that flows through her veins, which is the Holy Spirit. By implication therefore, the primary qualities and attributes of God automatically become the primary characteristics and nature of His Church.

In Isaiah 6:3b, the primary quality and nature of God is announced in this proclamation from Heaven:

“Holy, holy holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

For this reason, today’s Bible reading declares that the Church of God was chosen by God to be holy and without blame before Him in love. Holiness is the moral excellence of God that unifies His attributes and is expressed through His actions. The Bible presents holiness as a nature that includes moral purity, separation from evil and a devotion to God’s glory. God is Holy, His Name is Holy, His words and everything about Him is Holy. As a result, in the Old Testament, the place of worship, the altar, the priests and the people had to be sanctified and made holy before rendering service to God (Exodus 29:44). To be dedicated to God’s service, we also in this new dispensation must be set apart from the sins of this world. Hebrews 10:22 says,

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

God’s holiness provides a pattern of His people to emulate (1 Peter 1:16). Holiness simply means separation from sin and devotion to God (2 Timothy 2:19). As a child of God, sin should not have dominion over you (Romans 6:14). You are expected to make holiness your lifestyle by walking in the fear of God always (2 Corinthians 7:1).To this end, Colossians 3:5a says,

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;”

This means you should put to death or destroy everything that is carnal in you, using the sword of the Spirit (Hebrews 4:12). It means your heart should continually be cleansed from carnality, using the water of God’s word. Even though you are genuinely born again, your body still has passions, desires and appetites that must be allowed to break out beyond their legitimate bounds in the Lord. Be holy, and be sanctified!

Prayer Point: Father, grant me grace to keep myself under the control of Your Holy Spirit in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Open Heavens 22 August 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Church Of God I

Topic: The Church Of God I — Tuesday 22, August 2017.

Memorise: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. – Ephesians 1:22-23

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 (KJV)

1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible in One Year: 1 Chronicles 1-3; Ezekiel 28:25-29:9, Hymn: Sing hymn 14: Take My Life

Open Heavens 22nd Tuesday, August 2017 Message:

The Church is a body of saints being prepared as the Bride of Christ to be married to Him at His second coming(Ephesians 5:25-27). It is also a spiritual body of which Jesus Christ is the Head(Colossians 1:18). The Church of God is the meeting place of God and man, created as a means of uniting all people with God and with one another. The manifold wisdom of God, His mysteries, His nature, character and His attributes are revealed through His Church. Among all of God’s creatures, He did not find any of them worthy to be His dwelling place. However, He specifically designed and built His Church to be His dwelling place: a place of His rest. God cherishes His Church so much that He showers much care on her, and through her, He spreads Himself across the face of the earth.

Click HERE to Read: "Open Heavens 23 August 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Church Of God II”

In Matthew 16:18, the Lord decreed that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church; consequently, the Church of God is served by the ministry of angels (Hebrews 1:14). It is the only institution on earth that angels pay attention to as a matter of duty. The angels of God dote on His Church and admire her beauty (1 Peter 1:12). It is the only institution on earth which the angels of God take interest in, and every bit of progress that the Church makes in this world brings joy to them and causes them to celebrate (Luke 15:7). If you have not given your life to Christ, you can cause the angels of God to rejoice today by accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, thereby becoming a member of the body of Christ, which is the Church. As a member of the Church of God, you are expected to continually express your love for God in worship and practical service, which includes enduring hardness, afflictions and tribulations for the sake of God’s kingdom. Always remember that Christianity is not bread and butter alone. Despite all the good promises of God to you, Jesus, in John 16:33b, also says to you,

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

God’s attention is focused on His Church, and as a result, the devil can never prevail against you. However, you must learn to endure afflictions, and you must confidently confront evil. You must not be ashamed or afraid of witnessing for Jesus. Always be mindful of the fact that the Holy Spirit is in you and the angels of God are at your service wherever you go.

Prayer Point: Father, in Jesus’ Name, please give me the grace to endure hardship, afflictions and tribulations for the sake of Your Name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. 

Popular Comedian Seyi Law lists the different kinds of political supporters in Nigeria

This interesting to read..

Comedian Seyi Law took to Instagram to list the different kinds of political supporters in Nigeria.  Read below:

It goes without saying that there are different kinds of political supporters and they are all in the support systems for different reasons. Let's categorise them ased on these reasons.

INTEREST SUPPORTERS: This category is filled with a lot of the rich guys, a few contracts seekers and the hopeful financial beneficiaries. It is all about selfish interests. He will work in our favour kind of guys. Let's invest and pull the He-Owe- Us cards. These guy are in all the parties.

PAID SUPPORTERS: This category is the flock of the hungry. These people are mostly common in Africa. The political class keep them hungry through lack of education, inflation and unemployment. A few buck and they throw caution to the wind. They are very gullible, but can influence electoral results a great deal.

EDUCATED ILLITERATE SUPPORTERS: This group is the saddest group. They are only as educated as the course of study without broaden knowledge. They are shallow minded and can read stupidity into meaning discussions. I call them the BRILLIANT FOOLS. They can argue out of context and are very loud. They can't be easily corrected, but a little tweak in their direction and they are brainwashed.

ETHNIC AFFILIATED SUPPORTERS: These guys are dangerous to a good political process. They play the ethnic cards very well. They are the ones who shout, he is our thief, you can touch him. They bring ethnicity into every political discussions and no other tribe is ever good enough no matter the achievements. They are quick to dismiss achievements with a few wrongs. They always want to play the perfection.

GENUINE BUT PARTY BINDED SUPPORTERS: This category is that of the few good guys who know the truth, but have been caged or imprisoned by party affiliation and deep relationship. These guys are the ones that tell you the truth and their frustration in private, but are mute in public due to fear factors. I call them the COWARDS. If you can't say it in public, keep it in your privacy. I don't care.

ELECTION DAY PAID SUPPORTERS: The reason I didn't add this people to the Paid supporters is because they only come out on election day and. 

Vote for the highest bidder: These guys can vote multi parties on election day for different offices according to the highest payers. They are just the uncouth fools.

THUG SUPPORTERS: Dangerous and armed. They cause chaos at rallies and election venues. The sad thing is most lose their lives on money that is not worth it. We know them so I won't eleborate.

PATRIOTIC SUPPORTERS: These are the real MVPs. They are politically neutral. They speak for the good of all and don't hide under political correctness. They speak the bitter truth. These people are hardly spoken about in public and highly abused. Only few of them are young are willing to risk it. Just my observation, you may have more, do educate us. Thanks

Open Heavens 21 August 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Temple Of The Holy Spirit

Topic: The Temple Of The Holy Spirit — Monday 21, August 2017.

Memorise: For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. – 1 Corinthians 6:20

Read: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (KJV)

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 24-25; Ezekiel 28:11-24, Hymn: Sing hymn 6: Deeper, Deeper

Open Heavens 21st Monday, August 2017 Message:

The response of the Lord Jesus Christ to the question of a Samaritan woman on God’s approved location of acceptable worship, inJohn 4:20, put an end to the era where God could only be worshipped in specific places.John 4:21& 23 says,

“22 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”

Jesus taught her that the time has come when true worshippers of God are not required to visit any physical temple or be present in any particular location in order to worship God acceptably. True worshipper can now worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

Click HERE to Read: "Open Heavens 22 August 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Church Of God I”

Building on this teaching, Apostle Paul expounded that the dwelling of God is no longer in temples made by human hands(Acts 17:24). He further revealed that God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, now dwells in the body of those who have yielded to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 He wrote this:

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

If you are indeed a Christian, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Out of love for you, God gave you a unique body; and He wants you to reciprocate His love by making good use of it. The question is, are you conscious of the fact that God’s Holy Spirit dwells in you? Are you aware that you are not your own, and that you are bought with a price? Are you aware that you are to glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:20)? As a child of God, God has taken ownership of your body. You therefore have no preferences in matters concerning your body. A Christian cannot therefore make choices about sexual orientation or engage in behaviours on the basis of personal preference. Without any ambiguity, God has made clear the purpose of our body; therefore, any notion about freedom of choice regarding sexuality and sexual acts is essentially incompatible with God’s word. God also warns that He will destroy those who defile His temple, which is our body. Take note of this and be wise!

Prayer Point: Father, please abide in me; make my body Your dwelling place, and give me the grace to resist any temptation to misuse my body, in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

Open Heavens 20 August 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Great Virtue

Topic: The Great Virtue — Sunday 20, August 2017.

Memorise: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (KJV)

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 23; Ezekiel 27:26-28:10, Hymn: Sing hymn 18: Onward Christian Soldier

Open Heavens 20th Sunday, August 2017 Message:

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” -Jeremiah 31:3

Love is a decision of commitment that is expressed as a strong feeling of affection and attraction. Based on God’s nature and actions, the Scripture gives us insight into the source, character and value of love. The Bible teaches that God is the source of love and that His very character is love. If you have ever been deeply in love with someone to the point of obsession, you will discover that you may lose your appetite and forget to eat because of that person (Song of Solomon 5:2-8). Your mind will become occupied with nothing else but that person. The object of your love is the last thing you think of when you go to bed and the first thing you think of when you wake up. Love involves the totality of a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions. Love is a central theme of the Christian faith and is a primary characteristic of God’s nature.

“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.” -Matthew 22:37-38

Click HERE to Read: "Open Heavens 21 August 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – The Temple Of The Holy Spirit”

The first object of our love should be God. We are enjoined to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. Indeed, you need to understand the love of God for you before you can appreciate what true love is. Having received the love of God, God expects you to reciprocate His love by worshipping Him in truth and by showing His love to others. The love of God was manifested on the cross of Calvary. Jesus, with these words, revealed the extent of God’s love for us inJohn 3:16:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Out of love, God gave His only begotten Son as the ultimate sacrifice for the salvation of humility. He then commanded every one of us that has received His love to reciprocate it by loving one another (1 John 4:7-8). The Bible makes it very clear that the proof of love is its expression through actions, especially actions that are taken in the interest of others. Children of God should never be identified with envy, hatred, pride, selfishness, or any form of wickedness. These vices are contrary to God’s nature in us. As Christians, we must always radiate the love of God with meekness, kindness, patience, peace and joy.

Prayer Point: Father, please fill my heart with Your love, so that Your love may flow through me to others.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.