Friday, 15 September 2017

Open Heavens 15 September 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – A Divine Curse

Topic: A Divine Curse — Friday 15, September 2017.

Memorise: Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. – Malachi 3:9

Read: Mark 11:12-14, Mark 11:20-21 (KJV)

12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Mark 11:20-21:

20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 33-34, Ezekiel 40:48-41:11, Hymn: Sing hymn 6 – Deeper, Deeper

MESSAGE:

When you go through the Scriptures and see the effect of a divine curse on those who were cursed, you would do just about anything to avoid a curse from God. Although a curse from one man to another can have terrible effects, if spiritual help is sought from someone operating at a higher level than the source of the curse, such curses can be terminated. It’s a dilemma however, if the source of a curse is God. There would be no one to run to in such cases. When God cursed the ground after the fall of Adam, from that moment till now, the earth has not been yielding produce to its full potential. Wait until you see what this same ground can produce after the curse is lifted during the millennial reign of Christ! Similarly, when God cursed Cain, it had a terrible effect on him (Genesis 4:9-15). Cain was supposed to be the first born of the whole earth, but when he was cursed, he became a vagabond. Virtually everyone he met desired to kill him, even without offending them. No wonder he cried to God for clemency. Genesis 4:13-14 says,

“13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.”

Moreover, in today’s Bible reading, Jesus cursed a fig tree which appeared to have fruit but had only leaves. By the following morning, the tree had completely withered from its very roots. When God places a curse, it begins to operate from the root upwards. I once visited the capital of a state in Nigeria some years ago. This state had a lot of mighty rivers, yet the state capital had no pipe-borne water. Surprised, I made some inquiries on why this was so, and I was told, “Sir, there is a tree in the center of the capital that should not be uprooted. They even had to build a road around it. As long as the tree remains, nothing good happens to this town.” I said “Is that so?” then I quietly added, “No problem, we are here.” I then cursed the tree in the name of the Lord. That very night, there was a storm in the town and by the following morning, the tree was uprooted completely. Any evil tree tying down your progress is cursed today in the Name of Jesus! I command it to dry up and be uprooted in Jesus’ Name! Are you under a divine curse? Immediately run to the cross of Calvary in repentance and make your way right with God, and thereafter, seek His face for mercy. May you find favour in His sight today!

Action Point: Examine yourself to see if you have brought a divine curse upon yourself and your family by your actions, and immediately return to God in repentance and restitution.

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.

Thursday, 14 September 2017

Open Heavens 14 September 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – He Deserves Your Thanks

Topic: He Deserves Your Thanks — Thursday 14, September 2017.

Memorise: O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. –Psalm 136:2

Read: Psalm 121:3-5 (KJV)

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 31-32, Ezekiel 40:35-47, Hymn: Sing hymn 3 – How Great Thou Art

MESSAGE:

It is very important for you to give God thanks always. One reason why this is necessary is because there are several battles God fights for you that you know nothing about. Some people are so conservative when it comes to giving God thanks. They think they are clever, and so they only give God thanks when they believe He has earned it. In other words, they only thank God when He has done something very “tangible” for them. If however it appears that He has not done anything for them, they hold back on offering thanks to Him. Such people may think they are smart, but they are not. When you are asleep, do you know the various battles waged against you by the enemies of your soul? How can you fight for yourself in a realm you are oblivious of or when you are asleep?

Coming Up Next: Open Heavens 15 September 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – A Divine Curse

Many years ago, while still lecturing at the University of Ilorin (Kwara State, Nigeria), I had an experience that left its mark on my mind. In those days, I could travel from one end of the university campus to the other end within fifteen minutes. After my morning lectures, I could leave the campus, return home for lunch, and rest a while before returning for evening lectures. I was also the pastor of our church parish over there, and so people kept coming in and out of our living room. After my meal one afternoon, I lay down on the couch and closed my eyes so that I could get some rest. As I lay down, I put my two hands together on my head and closed my eyes. Suddenly, someone entered the room, held my two hands with one hand and held my two legs with the other hand and tried to kiss me. At first, I thought it was my wife, but then it dawned on me that whoever could hold me up this way must be a very tall fellow. I therefore opened my eyes and the creature disappeared. A cold shiver ran down my spine as I asked myself what this was. Eventually, I pushed the incident aside. Intending to drive back to the campus, I got into the car, but all of a sudden I had a running stomach and began to vomit. I virtually crawled from the car into the toilet. Then I began to ask, “How could this happen to me?” God’s responses was, “Son, I just wanted you to see a little of the battles I fight for you, which you know nothing about.” For you to sleep peacefully every day, God does not sleep. He continues to watch over you. Why don’t you become really generous in thanking the Almighty God, who alone deserves all your thanks?

Prayer Point: Father, thank You for all You do for me, particularly for all the battles You fight on my behalf which I know nothing about.

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.

Wednesday, 13 September 2017

TRANSFERS SUNDAY ABE JOINS TEUTA DURRES ON LOAN FROM SUNSHINE STARS

TRANSFERS

SUNDAY ABE JOINS TEUTA DURRES ON LOAN FROM SUNSHINE STARS

09/09/2017 0

Abe Sunday

The 26-year-old midfielder has left the Akure Township Stadium after 12 years and joins the Sea Boys for the rest of the season

Sunday Abe has joined Albanian Superliga side Teuta Durres on a season long loan from Nigeria Professional Football League side Sunshine Stars.

The midfielder has been with the Owena Whales since 2006, and was handed the skipper’s armband in 2013.

According to the former Nigeria youth international, the move was necessary as he wants a taste of European football having spent over a decade in the Nigeria topflight.

Goal.com

Ooni Of Ife allegedly declares that Olori Wuraola can now re marry

Former Queen of Ife, Olori Wuraola - who reverted her name to Queen Zaynab, is now free to date anyone she desires after her marriage to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, crashed and the bride price paid has allegedly returned by the elders of Benin. Read the trending report below.

The coast seems clear now for Queen Zynab, the former wife of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to begin a new life and remarry if she so wishes as reports reaching us indicate that elders of her family have returned her bride price.

The Boss Newspaper gathered that elders of the Otiti family of Benin as is customary, returned the bride price as is customary during the week and it was a strictly hush-hush family affair.

According to a source in Benin, The Ooni was at first reluctant but was persuaded by the elders as a way of closing the controversial marriage and separation… The OONI was quoted to have exclaimed that “she’s free now, she’s free…”

The elders had sued for amicable settlement instead of a rough separation. Both families appeared relieved about this final foreclosure of the marriage that lasted less than two years.

LIB

Open Heavens 13 September 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Giving Determines Promotion

Topic: Giving Determines Promotion — Wednesday 13, September 2017.

Memorise: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. –Deuteronomy 16:17

Read: Deuteronomy 16:16-17 (KJV)

16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 29-30, Ezekiel 40:20-34, Hymn: Sing hymn 10 – There Shall Be Shower of Blessing

MESSAGE:

When God commanded all males in Israel to appear before Him in today’s Bible reading, He specifically instructed that they should not come before Him empty-handed. He also instructed that whatever they brought to Him must be a reflection of the level of blessings they had received from Him. Based on these two parameters, can you say you have followed the divine pattern whenever you appear before God? Today, when God’s people assemble before Him, many of them do not care about what they bring as an offering, as long as they bring something. Do you know that God cares about this? For this reason, 2 Corinthians 8:12 says,

“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”

Click HERE To Read: Open Heavens 14 September 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – He Deserves Your Thanks

One year, during our annual thanksgiving service for pastors and ministers of our church, I told them that God expects them to bring an offering that reflects how much He has blessed them individually. Then I asked them this question: “Brethren, do you know that many of us demote ourselves by the offering we give? “They appeared surprised to hear this. So I further explained that God knows us individually, and He knows the level to which He has blessed each one of us. He knows those whom He has taken to a level that can conveniently give Him N1000 at each offering. He also knows those who can afford to give N500 and those who are unable to give more than N100. If you are in the category of N1000 but give N500 per offering, you are indirectly saying to God, “Dear Lord, you made a mistake placing me in the category of givers of N1000. You should have left me in the category of givers of N500,” Then the Lord would reply, “I thought I promoted you, but if you want to demote yourself, no problem.” This is why some people are experiencing financial dryness. You are the one who told God that the level He placed you at is too high and that He should take you lower. I shared with my children that at the beginning of every year, I draw up a budget stating what I want to earn as my income for the year. Then I tell God that this is where I was last year but this is where I want to be by the year’s end. Thereafter, I start giving to reflect my expectations based on my target. I promote myself by giving beyond my present level, and I can tell you in unmistaken terms that God has never failed me, not even once. Before the end of the year, I would have already surpassed the limit I set for myself. How has it been with your life of giving? Make necessary adjustments today and key into your joy.

Key Point: Giving at a level that matches the financial status of your expectations is a way to compel God to supernaturally upgrade you to that expected level.

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.

Tuesday, 12 September 2017

Open Heavens 12 September 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Little Requests Limit God

Topic: Little Requests Limit God — Tuesday 12, September 2017.

Memorise: And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. – 1 John 3:22

Read: James 1:5-6 (KJV)

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 26-28, Ezekiel 40:5-19, Hymn: Sing hymn 3 – How Great Thou Art

MESSAGE:

The Lord Jesus Christ instructed us to ask until our joy is full (John 16:24). Due to a lack of faith in God’s ability to meet our needs, many of us ask for crumbs, and by doing so, we insult or dishonour God. Are you one of such people? During one of our special programmes sometime ago, while in my prayer room, God took me up on this issue. He reminded me of an incident that happened several years before then, when I went to London to prepare our Sunday School manual. After finishing it, I still had three days to go before my flight was due but I had completely run out of money. The kind of ticket l paid for on that trip was a cheap one and so it did not allow for rescheduling of dates. I felt I could go without food for three days but could not avoid buying certain materials, books and tapes that I needed. These would cost me 50 pounds and I had no money. So I said, “Daddy, it would be good if I could get 50 pounds.” Shortly after, my phone rang and I picked it up. The fellow on the line said, “Biyi”. I told him there was nobody with that name there. He asked, “Is that not so and so number?” As we talked, he got to know who I was and he screamed. He called out to his brother with excitement, telling him that he was speaking with me. Obviously, they had been discussing how they could see me and now was on the phone with them. Eventually, they came over, we talked, and as they were leaving, they gave me 50 Pounds. As soon as they left, I said, “Daddy if knew it would be this easy, l would have asked for 100 Pounds!”

Coming Up Next: Open Heavens 13 September 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Giving Determines Promotion

As I went upstairs in the apartment l was staying at, I rejoiced over the 50 Pounds l had just received. Just then, the door bell rang, and then it rang a second time. By this time, it was night already. Before l got to the door, the fellow at the door had slipped an envelope through the door into the room and left. I picked it up, opened it and realised it had come from a man l had known for a long time. He was a very wealthy man who was also very stingy. He had never given me a dime before. In the envelope was 50 Pounds and a note saying, “I just felt like giving you some money. As I went towards the bedroom, I told God that if had known this second 50 Pounds would come I would have asked for another 50 Pounds! That night, before l slept, another 50 Pounds came. Then I became afraid and told God l was joking and did not want to offend Him. In my prayer room, the Lord told me I had been a foolish boy. “If you asked me for 50 Pounds and l could provide it, why didn’t you ask for 5,000 Pounds?” Are you trying to help God conserve His resources when you ask? He doesn’t need your help! Ask, and ask big! Don’t limit Him.

Key Point: If the over seven billion inhabitants of the earth were to ask their best from God, they still could not exhaust a drop of His resources.

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.

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