Open Heaven 4 November 2017

Open Heavens 4 November 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Don't Faint!

Topic: Don't Faint! — Saturday 4, November 2017.

Memorise: Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; – 2 Corinthians 4:1

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:15-16 (KJV)

15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Bible in One Year: 1 John 2-4, Hosea 12,Hymn: Sing Hymn 10 – There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing

MESSAGE:

As children of God, one lesson we derive from Luke 6:38 is that giving precedes receiving. Those who expect to receive when they have not sown are waiting for an empty harvest. Some people may contend with this truth by citing John 4:38, which says,

“I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”

Coming up next: Open Heavens 5 November 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Why Praise Him?

Yes, it is possible to reap where you did not sow, but you will always reap what you sow. If you check the scriptures, you will find out that the privilege of reaping where you did not sow is reserved for the hardworking fellow and not for the lazy. If you consider the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, you will discover that the servant who had 10 talents was given the extra talent that was taken away from the lazy servant. The Lord justified this action with those words in Matthew 25:29:

“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.”

If you work hard and excel in whatever assignment the Lord has given you, if you make sacrifices in doing God’s bidding beyond every other person, or if you out-give everyone else, you will not only enter into abundance, but you may also qualify to receive the harvest of the lazy.

Moreover, we see that the lazy servant lost his harvest. May you not lose your harvest to someone else! It is interesting to note that some people lose their harvest not only to laziness but also as a result of lack of patience. A story was told of the pastor of a local assembly, who fasted, prayed and evangelised his community but could not get a harvest. It appeared as if the ground was iron. Unknown to him, God was working out something that would bring a lot of people to that community. Sadly, before God could finish what He was doing, this pastor got discouraged and quit ministry. Just about the same time, another pastor started a ministry in the same community. The people that God caused to relocate to this community, as reward for the toiling of the pastor who quit, now became a harvest for the new pastor. This new pastor must have concluded that ministry was so easy, without knowing what really happened. In light of this, never give up on your assignment! No matter how tough things may be, remain with God and you will reap your harvest.

Key Point: If you remove people out of their rightful harvest, get set to be thrown out of your own harvest, unless you fully restitute.

Sing Hymn 10 – There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing

1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

[Chorus]
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing:
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
[Chorus]

3. There shall be showers of blessing:
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come, and now honor Thy Word.
[Chorus]

4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we're confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!
[Chorus]

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.

#AFFIRMATION TRAIN 3RD NOVEMBER

#AFFIRMATIONTRAIN 3RD NOVEMBER.

I affirm that I know God’s thoughts for me; they’re thoughts of good and not of evil, to bring me a glorious end. I walk in the path, which He prepared for me before the foundations of the world, living the good life, which He prearranged and made ready for me! I’m triumphant always, living in, and manifesting the glory of God. I'm aglow in the spirit; zealous and passionate about the expansion of the Kingdom beyond my environment. I'm the seed of Abraham and the nations of the world belong to me. As the Father had sent Jesus, so has He sent me with power and grace. I am unstoppable in life! I'm spreading to the East, spreading to the West, spreading to the South; spreading to the North by the power of the Holy Ghost. There're no limitations on my path because God had sent His angels to go ahead of me to make every crooked path straight. Hallelujah!

I affirm that I am so blessed! I'm blessed in every area of my life and all that I do prospers. I'm in sync with the Holy Ghost. I'm living in the harvest days of my life. I've cease from every struggle because I've entered into the rest of the Lord. All things are working together for my good! No weapon formed against me shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgement I condemn. I'm making progress with giant strides, surmounting every challenge that shows up as I advance by the power of the Spirit. I'm a success! There's a lifting power at work on the inside of me and I will never go down in life. Glory to God!

UPDATE: How Tinubu’s first son, Jide slumped, died of heart attack

UPDATE: How Tinubu’s first son, Jide slumped, died of heart attack

Jide, first son of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reportedly slumped and died yesterday evening.

Reports reaching TheNewsGuru.com from a reliable source close to the former Lagos Governor revealed that Jide suddenly collapsed and died around 9 pm.

However, after the incidence, close family members rushed him down to an hospital on Lagos Island where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

TheNewsGuru.com reports that the tragic news was kept secret because Tinubu was in Abuja for the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of his party, APC.



Chairman of APC in Lagos, Otunba Henry Ajomale confirmed Jide’s death in a short statement he (Ajomale) issued on Wednesday.

Ajomale wrote: It’s with regrets that I inform you of the demise of Mr. Jide Tinubu, the Son of Our dear and esteemed Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement said.

https://www.thenewsguru.com/update-tinubus-first-son-jide-slumped-died-heart-attack/

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Open Heaven 1 November 2017....

Open Heavens 1 November 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Overflowing laughter

Topic: Overflowing laughter — Wednesday 1, November 2017.

Memorise: And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. – Genesis 21:6

Read: 2 Kings 2:1-15 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.

2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.

3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.

5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

6 And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.

7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.

8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

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.

15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

Bible in One Year: James 4-5, 1 Peter 1, Hosea 9, Hymn: Sing Hymn 4 – Through the love of God our Savior

MESSAGE:

In Joshua 7, after the Israelites had defeated the people of Jericho, Joshua sent a handful of soldiers to attack Ai. Because Ai was just a little town, he expected victory without a sweat, but to his utter dismay, his people were defeated. After receiving the sad news, he fell on his face overwhelmed by shame, because defeat brings shame. The enemies would have laughed, wondering how a small city such as Ai could defeat Israel. However, while Joshua was lying before the Ark of the Covenant with his face to the ground, God told him the cause of the defeat and what to do to have victory again. Have you been defeated by a weakness or an enemy you considered too weak to bring you down? I declare to you that this is your season to laugh! The Lord will show you the way to victory today, and your laugher will begin.

Coming up next: Open Heavens 2 November 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Expect Tests

Moreover, beyond laughter, there is something called overflowing laughter. In today’s Bible passage, when Elijah was about to be transported to Heaven, Elisha his servant had some unpleasant experiences everywhere he went with his master. As they visited each of the schools of prophets, the sons of the prophets, who were students in those schools, called Elisha aside and said to him, “Daddy’s boy, everywhere daddy goes, you go with him. Do you know that your daddy will be going finally today, and you will have no one else to follow about? We shall soon see what will become of you.” Every time they say this, Elisha replied them saying, “I know my master is going today, but mind your own business.” After Elisha was taken to Heaven and his mantle dropped, Elisha grabbed it, smote the river like his father had done, and the River Jordan parted into two for him to go through. The sons of the prophets, who were watching from a distance, came and bowed down to him. They had no choice but to admit that indeed, the spirit of Elijah now rested on him. The greatest laughter comes when your mockers become your servants. When God called me into ministry, a lot of people laughed. The greatest laughter came from my village, where they said, “Look at him – the only lecturer from this village who we thought was going to become an important personality. We knew something was wrong with him the moment he joined that church of ‘Amen’ and began saying ‘Amen’ Amen”. Nevertheless, today, God has given me overflowing laughter. Wherever they are laughing you to scorn, the Lord will give you overflowing laughter in Jesus Name!

Action Point: Pray that everyone who has been experiencing sorrow, disgrace and shame for long in your local assembly will begin to experience overflowing laughter from now on  

Hymn 4: Through the love of God our Savior

Verse 1
Through the love of God our Savior
All will be well;
Free and changeless is His favor;

All, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us;
Perfect is the grace that sealed us;
Strong the hand stretched out to shield us;
All must be well.

Verse 2
Though we pass through tribulation,
All will be well;
Ours is such a full salvation;
All, all is well.
Happy still in God confiding,
Fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
Holy through the Spirit’s guiding,
All must be well.

Verse 3
We expect a bright tomorrow;
All will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
All, all is well.
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
Or in living, or in dying,
All must be well.

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.

Updates : Joshua vs Takam: The moment the ref STOPS the fight

According to BBC, Britain's Anthony Joshua defended his WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles by wearing down a game Carlos Takam with a controversial 10th-round stoppage at a raucous Principality Stadium.

Joshua, 28, damaged his nose in a heavy head collision early on and did not have things all his own way against a fighter who took the bout at 12 days' notice.

But in a key fourth round in which both men enjoyed success, Joshua dropped his man with a hook and badly damaged the eye of his rival.

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Takam was twice inspected by ringside medics but battled on until he was overwhelmed in the 10th, when referee Phil Edwards stepped in to end the contest, much to the challenger's frustration.

Takam, 36, was under pressure but not out on his feet and some inside the Cardiff venue booed the stoppage.

• Relive how Joshua stopped Takam in Cardiff
• Taylor wins first professional world title
• Yafai defends world title - plus round-up

'I don't make the decisions'

Joshua's nose was broken in the second round in an accidental clash of heads

The crowd in Wales clearly felt the decision to stop the fight was premature, but Joshua said he had "no interest" in what the officials do.

"I come to fight. I don't sit on the edge and make decisions," he said. "It was a good fight until the ref stopped it, so I have the utmost respect for Takam.

"People want to see Takam unconscious on the floor, and that's what I was trying to get to."

BBC boxing correspondent Mike Costello agreed with the stoppage.

"I don't have a problem with it," he said. "Surely with the blood flowing the way it was, Takam could barely have seen.

"I've seen too many sob stories at this stage of a fight for me to complain about that stoppage."

Takam said: "I want a rematch. I made my preparations with 12 days to fight Anthony. I want to box him again. I want him. He is a great champion."

A tricky test negotiated

Cardiff's fans may have wanted a more clinical ending, having waited 10 years for boxing's return to this passionate venue but Joshua had come through a tricky test.

Things started badly when his walk-on music failed to play and the boisterous crowd howled as replays of the second-round head collision played in the stadium.

But the fourth round was pivotal in giving the masses the British win they came for. After two early Takam right hands, Joshua retaliated and floored the Cameroon-born fighter, who returned to his stool badly cut above his right eye.

Referee Edwards scrutinised work on the injury in the corner and medics interrupted the fifth and ninth rounds to assess the issue further.

The challenger deserves immense credit despite a fourth defeat in 40 fights. After settling in, the shorter and lighter man took risks to adopt his style of fighting up close and, when he briefly backed the champion up in the seventh round, groans of concern tumbled down the tiers to ringside.

Joshua raw but making history

Joshua is yet to be taken the distance in his 20 professional victories

The fact that Takam caught Joshua heavily several times perhaps points to the champion's raw nature, with just 20 bouts under his belt.

Inexperienced or not, Joshua's last two bouts have now delivered a post-war record attendance for a UK boxing event and, on this occasion, a world record for a fight staged indoors.

He has many years left at the top but history will surely show British fans have witnessed a phenomenon over the last six months.

There will be setbacks - such as the withdrawal of his original opponent Kubrat Pulev at less than two weeks' notice - but Joshua showcased his adaptability in stopping a man who had only ever been beaten inside the distance once before.

Defeat would have arguably been the biggest upset this marquee division had seen since Hasim Rahman stunned Lennox Lewis in 2001.

It never looked likely, although some will perhaps point to Joshua's career-high weight as the reason he at times looked a touch sluggish, and question why he could not blitz his way to victory.

Ultimately, Joshua is setting high standards to be judged upon.

He was at times drawn into a fight, notably when landing a left hook after Takam had enjoyed success in the seventh, but he found the poise to pick his way to a 20th straight stoppage when Takam was backed into the ropes in the 10th.

In doing so, Joshua keeps hope alive that WBC champion Deontay Wilder and WBO king Joseph Parker could share a ring with him in 2018.

Edwards' intervention arguably came too soon but Joshua's momentum looks increasingly hard to break, and he remains on course to threaten the history books and become the first man to hold all four heavyweight belts.

Reaction to Joshua stopping Takam in the 10th

Open Heavens 30 October 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Shutting Up Mockers

Topic: Shutting Up Mockers — Monday 30, October 2017.

Memorise: The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. – Proverbs 10:28

Read: Psalm 35:15-19 (KJV)

15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

Bible in One Year: Hebrews 11-13, Hosea 7, Hymn: Sing Hymn 8 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness

MESSAGE:

God is a specialist at disgracing mockers and giving His Children the last laugh. This season, you shall laugh last in Jesus’ Name! In Mark 10:46-52, when Bartimaeus was crying to Jesus for help, some people were irritated. Do you know that there are people who do not want your voice to be heard at all? “Shut up you blind beggar! With people like us around, do you think the Master would have time for a beggar like you?” They laughed at him with an air of importance, but he ignored their mockery and cried out for help all the more. They got angry at this defiance. “You’ve got some nerve, you noisy fellow! If you know what is good for you, you better keep your mouth shut!” they continued mocking him as the crowd moved along. However, to their amazement, Jesus suddenly stopped and said, “There is a blind beggar along this street behind us. Go and bring him here and now.” Immediately, the laughter of his mockers ceased. The laughter of your mockers has come to a permanent end today in Jesus Name! The same mockers became his helpers. They politely took him to Jesus, and after Jesus healed him, he became the centre of attraction. Very soon, you that people thought would never amount to anything will become the centre of attraction in Jesus’ Name!

Open Heavens 31 October 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Prayerlessness Disallowed

A particular sister was dying at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital. Her husband met the doctors and they confided in him that she would not live to see the following morning under any circumstance. So he went to his wife, pretending to care for her, and he told her he would see her the following morning, secretly expecting to meet her corpse by then. As he left the hospital, he phoned his mistress and said, “My stupid wife will pass away tonight. Come over and let’s have fun.” The mistress came to his house and they were “having fun”, but because they never expected anyone to disturb them, they did not even lock the door of the bedroom. They were in for the shock of their lives. After this man left the hospital earlier on, that same night, the Lord Jesus Christ visited his sick wife and said, “I am the Lord that healeth thee; rise up and go home.” As she got up and walked out of the hospital, the nurses thought they were daydreaming and seeing her ghost, and so they did not stop her. She got home and caught the two evil doers in their illicit act. She said to them, “You thought I was dead, but I am alive and well.” Every evil expectation of your enemies shall be disappointed in Jesus’ Name! You shall laugh from now on.

Prayer Point: Father, turn every expectation of my mockers to disappointment.

Hymn 8: Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Verse 1
“Great is Thy faithfulness,”
O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not,
Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been
Thou forever wilt be.

Chorus:
“Great is Thy faithfulness!”
“Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided,
“Great is Thy faithfulness,”
Lord, unto me!

Verse 2
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Verse 3
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

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.