Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

DATE: SATURDAY  FEBRUARY 11TH, 2023.

THEME: NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD

MEMORISE: 

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 

2 Corinthians 10:4

READ: Ephesians 6:12 -18

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

MESSAGE

I was reading my letters one day when l noticed two whose writers had the same surname- the first was from a woman asking me to pray that God would kill her mother-in-law because she was a witch. The second was from the mother-in-law, asking me to pray that God would kill her daughter-in-law because she was a witch. Of course l disregarded both prayer requests as the Bible says that we don't wrestle against flesh and blood. While that fellow may be a tool in the hand of the devil to fight you, you are not to fight him or her. You are to go on your knees and fight the forces of darkness behind the person.

There are three types of hosts. There is the angelic or heavenly host which comprises of God as we see in Luke 2:13. There is the demonic host: soldiers of Satan, their officers (principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world as detailed in Ephesians 6:12). Finally, we have the human host - the armies of the world. The army, navy, Air Force, paramilitary and the likes are also called hosts. For example, in 1 Samuel 14:19, the Bible talks about the host of Philistines.

There is a constant conflict between these hosts. In Daniel 19:4-14 for example, the demonic prince in charge of Persia blocked the angel that was to bring the answer to Daniel's prayer for 21 days until God sent Angel Michael to assist him.

While we cannot see demons with our physical eyes, they can see us. How do you fight an enemy you cannot see? You Need the help of an ally who can see your enemy and help you gain victory. A major reason many people fall prey to the devil and his agents is that they try to fight spiritual battle with physical weapons. 2 Corinthians 10:4 says the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. If you want to win over the forces of darkness, you need to employ spiritual weapons - worship (2 Chronicles 20:22), prayers (Ephesians 6:18), the word of God (Ephesians 6:17), love (Romans 12:20), and above them all, holiness (Proverbs 16:7).

KEY POINT

Stop fighting people; fight the forces of darkness instead.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 8-10

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN 19: ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME

1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save me from its guilt and power.

2 Not the labor of my hands

Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All could never sin erase,

Thou must save, and save by power

3 Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace:

Foul, I to the fountain fly,

Wash me, Savior, or I die.

4 While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.