Open Heavens

Friday, April 10, 2020

Open Heavens Prayer Points


Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens.

Friday 10th April 2020 –

Topic: The Death Of Jesus 1

PRAYER POINTS:

1. FATHER, I worship and adore you for your saving grace.

2. Thank you FATHER, for sending your one and only begotten to die for the sin of the world.

3. OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, this Friday, we lift up to You all of our worries, anxieties and weaknesses even as this global pandemic keep rising. Heal the world, save humanity and deliver us from the hands demonic rulers of this world, in the mighty name of Jesus

4. PRINCE OF PEACE, thank You for coming to die for the redemption of mankind and reconciliation of humanity to Your Father.

5. LORD JESUS, thank You for Your love and passion towards us. You choose to live among humans to prove Your mercy, grace and compassion towards everything that concerns us. We are grateful Jesus, the Son of God.

6. LORD JESUS, we ask for Your mercy upon us and everything around us. We as believers around the world gather to mark Your death and Your resurrection, look upon us at this crucial hour and show us mercy.
LORD JESUS, together as a community of believers, we praise and honor You for the glorious victory of Your death, burial and resurrection – breaking the power of the devil and liberating us from the powers of hell.

7. LORD JESUS, thank You for breaking the yoke of sin in the lives of all who trust in Your name – overcoming death (fear, anxiety, worries) and hell forever in the lives of all who believe in You.

8. LORD JESUS, we wholeheartedly acknowledge that Your victory on the cross of calvary is the reason we enjoy grace today, blessed be Your name.

9. LORD JESUS, help us to run the race that is set before us looking up to You… and that we may finish the course that You have given to us… as we yield in through word and deed to the working of the Holy Spirit within – this we ask in Jesus name

10. FATHER, we choose to put our trust in You, we press forward in faith so we can overcome fear spreading all over the globe, in the name of Jesus

11. HEAVENLY FATHER, please help the body of Christ in this trying time. We know the devil and his cohorts are doing everything possible to take over, but they shall not prevail, in the mighty name of Jesus

12. OUR FATHER, open our eyes to the present reality of what is truly happening to our world. Open the eyes of our spiritual leaders, and help them to lead us in the path of righteousness, in the name of Jesus

13. OUR ETERNAL FATHER, we ask for Your mercy on humanity. let every wilderness journey of 2020 turn around to channel of testimonies worldwide to the shame of the devil’s army, in Jesus’ name

14. ALMIGHTY FATHER, concerning every soul that is presently confused and unaware of who You are, today let them have divine encounter with You and let their faith grow massively, in Jesus’ name

15. OUR FATHER, by Your power let only Your will stand in every live, nation and world at large as we rededicate our lives to You, Almighty Redeemer, in Jesus’ name

16. HOLY SPIRIT, comfort us and all the families affected all over the world. Let Your peace reign in our hearts and minds, in the name of Jesus

17. LORD ETERNAL, we lift many at the front-line unto You great Healer. Heal through them save souls and life through them, grant them divine immunity, in the powerful name of Jesus

18. FATHER, through this Online Christian platform, you shall bring many to Christ for the salvation of their souls, in the name of Jesus

19. OUR FATHER, please uphold Your children; Pastor E. A. Adeboye, Pastor Foluke A. Adeboye, their children and everyone working with them by Your right hand of righteousness till the end. Reward them abundantly for all their labors of love to the body of Christ, in the mighty name of Jesus

20. OUR FATHER, please uphold your children working everyday on this platform ( rccgonline.org ) to prepare these prayers and declarations with Your right hand of righteousness. Give them the grace to keep up with this good work of Faith, in the name of Jesus

21. OUR FATHER, bless each and everyone dedicating their time to read through these prayers & declarations at the point of their needs. Give them the grace to share/rebroadcast these prayers, in Jesus’ name.

22. FATHER, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus’ name.

23. In Jesus’ name I pray.
(John 14:13-14; 15:16)
24. Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).
#GodBlessOurHomes
These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus' name.

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE:  FRIDAY 10TH APRIL 2020.

THEME: THE DEATH OF JESUS I.


MEMORISE:

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15



READ: Ephesians 2:13-18

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.


MESSAGE

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross opened up a new era in Christianity. The first thing that happened when Jesus died was that the veil of the temple was torn into two. Matthew 27:50-51 tells us:

“Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;”

The torn veil was what separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple. The only person allowed into the holy of holies was the High Priest, but the moment Jesus died, He went to stand in the place of the veil, so it had to give way. Now, everyone has full access to the Father through Jesus. John 14:6 tells us- “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

If you want to meet with God, you had better make Jesus your friend. We know that Jesus is the Word of God. This means that to access God, you must always study the word of God. When you read the Bible, you access the mind of God and you can relate with Him on a new level. That is why I pity Pastors who only read their Bible to prepare messages; they have lost that intimate relationship with God and cannot know His mind.

Before Jesus died, people used to depend on the High Priest to talk to God of hear from Him, but now, Jesus has bridged the gap. We can access God, speak with Him and hear from Him by ourselves. It is because Jesus died that I can call God “Daddy”. How is your relationship with God? Jesus died because He wanted you to have an intimate relationship with Him. God loves you, that is why He sent His son to die for you so He can talk to you one on one. To what extent are you open to God? He wants to help you with every inadequacy in your life. All He requires is that you are completely open and dedicated to Him.


PRAYER POINT:

Lord, don’t let Your death for me be in vain.



BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 13-14



AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 27: I AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

1. I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
o Refrain:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

2. If I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

3. Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

4. Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

5. If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

6. In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blest;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE:  FRIDAY 10TH APRIL 2020.

THEME: THE DEATH OF JESUS I.


MEMORISE:

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15



READ: Ephesians 2:13-18

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.


MESSAGE

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross opened up a new era in Christianity. The first thing that happened when Jesus died was that the veil of the temple was torn into two. Matthew 27:50-51 tells us:

“Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;”

The torn veil was what separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple. The only person allowed into the holy of holies was the High Priest, but the moment Jesus died, He went to stand in the place of the veil, so it had to give way. Now, everyone has full access to the Father through Jesus. John 14:6 tells us- “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

If you want to meet with God, you had better make Jesus your friend. We know that Jesus is the Word of God. This means that to access God, you must always study the word of God. When you read the Bible, you access the mind of God and you can relate with Him on a new level. That is why I pity Pastors who only read their Bible to prepare messages; they have lost that intimate relationship with God and cannot know His mind.

Before Jesus died, people used to depend on the High Priest to talk to God of hear from Him, but now, Jesus has bridged the gap. We can access God, speak with Him and hear from Him by ourselves. It is because Jesus died that I can call God “Daddy”. How is your relationship with God? Jesus died because He wanted you to have an intimate relationship with Him. God loves you, that is why He sent His son to die for you so He can talk to you one on one. To what extent are you open to God? He wants to help you with every inadequacy in your life. All He requires is that you are completely open and dedicated to Him.


PRAYER POINT:

Lord, don’t let Your death for me be in vain.



BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 13-14



AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 27: I AM SO GLAD THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

1. I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
o Refrain:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

2. If I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

3. Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

4. Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

5. If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

6. In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blest;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.

Open Heavens Prayer Points

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens.

Thursday 9th April 2020 –

Topic: *Holier than Thou 2*

PRAYER POINTS:

1. OUR FATHER and OUR GOD, we worship and adore you because all power in Heaven and earth belongs to you.

2.FATHER, in any way I have sinned against you and fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy upon and forgive me in Jesus mighty name.

3. OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, this Thursday, we lift up to You all of our worries, anxieties and weaknesses even as this global pandemic keep rising. Heal the world, save humanity and deliver us from the hands demonic rulers of this world, in the mighty name of Jesus

4. HEAVENLY FATHER, please help the body of Christ in this trying time. We know the devil and his cohorts are doing everything possible to take over, but they shall not prevail, in the mighty name of Jesus

5. OUR FATHER, open our eyes to the present reality of what is truly happening to our world. Open the eyes of our spiritual leaders, and help them to lead us in the path of righteousness, in the name of Jesus

6. KING OF Kings, teach us to correct others in the right way. Not for our selfish interest or to raise our self-esteem, but to point them to Christ, the author and the finisher of our faith, in the name of Jesus.

7. OUR FATHER, as we go about our daily lives, help us to be conscious of what we tell others and how we speak to them about you, so that we do showcase our self-righteousness, but the price Your son paid on the cross of calvary, in Jesus’ name

8. FATHER, give us the grace, love and inner strength to embrace unbelievers wholeheartedly and teach them Your ways, without necessarily exalting ourselves, in Jesus’ name

9. FATHER, in these last days. Teach us to rebuke in love, lift up the hands of those falling and raise the feeble among us, in the mighty name of Jesus.

10. HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, we believe in the supernatural power in Your word. Bring us closer to You in this time and return us to Your doctrines, in the mighty name of Jesus

11. FATHER, please remove sin from Your church. Remove pride from our hearts. Remove arrogance from our hearts. Purge us and return us to Your will, in Jesus’ name

12. LORD JESUS, we come before You, our greatest healer. Let Your healing hands rest upon those in pain right now, those infected with this deadly virus without symptoms, those in the hospital and those in the INTENSIVE CARE UNITs all around the world. Let Your healing power overflow the earth, in Your glorious name

13. OUR ETERNAL FATHER, we ask for Your mercy on humanity. let every wilderness journey of 2020 turn around to channel of testimonies worldwide to the shame of the devil’s army, in Jesus’ name

14. ALMIGHTY FATHER, concerning every soul that is presently confused and unaware of who You are today let them have divine encounter with You and let their faith grow massively, in Jesus’ name

15. ALMIGHTY FATHER, we ask for Your intervention in this critical time for humanity, especially to all our leaders. We are using the Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, as a point of contact to all world leaders and every infected person, give them the grace, strength and health capacity to fight this common enemy, in Jesus’ name

16. OUR FATHER, by Your power let only Your will stand in every live, nation and world at large as we dedicate our lives to You, Almighty Redeemer, in Jesus’ name

17. HOLY FATHER, give us the grace to live holy and abstain from all evil, even when it is difficult to live a holy life in this generation. Your grace is sufficient. Help our leaders to lead by example, especially our spiritual leaders, in Jesus’ name

18. HOLY SPIRIT, comfort us and all the families affected all over the world. Let Your peace reign in our hearts and minds, in the name of Jesus

19. LORD ETERNAL, we lift many at the frontline unto You great Healer. Heal through them save souls and life through them, grant them divine immunity, in the powerful name of Jesus

20. FATHER, through this Online Christian platform, you shall bring many to Christ for the salvation of their souls, in the name of Jesus

21. OUR FATHER, please uphold Your children; Pastor E. A. Adeboye, Pastor Foluke A. Adeboye, their children and everyone working with them by Your right hand of righteousness till the end. Reward them abundantly for all their labours of love to the body of Christ, in the mighty name of Jesus

22. OUR FATHER, please uphold your children working everyday on this platform ( rccgonline.org ) to prepare these prayers and declarations with Your right hand of righteousness. Give them the grace to keep up with this good work of Faith, in the name of Jesus

23. OUR FATHER, bless each and everyone dedicating their time to read through these prayers & declarations at the point of their needs. Give them the grace to share/rebroadcast these prayers, in Jesus’ name.

24. FATHER, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus’ name.

25. In Jesus’ name I pray.
(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

26. Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).
#GodBlessOurHomes
These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus' name.

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY 9TH APRIL, 2020.

THEME:: HOLIER THAN THOU (II).

MEMORISE:
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Galatians 6:1(KJV)

READ:
JOHN 8:1-11 (KJV)

1. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

2. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4. They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned; but what sayest thou?

6. This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

7. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11. She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.


MESSAGE:
“Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:5
Many people condemn those in error so as to feel good – not necessarily because they want to bring them to Christ.
The men who tried to stone the adulterous woman in today’s Bible reading are classic examples.
They wanted to show how ‘faithful’ they were, but did not know Jesus would eventually puncture their self-righteousn
ess.

When you correct others to raise your self-esteem, you lower theirs and break their already bruised reed.
This makes it harder for them to submit to the Christ you preach. If this happens, you can incur God’s wrath.
He could turn against you. Do you want Jesus to turn against you?
When Jesus turns against anyone, it can lead to public disgrace.

In the story above, Jesus turned against the men who were going to stone the adulterous woman and stood on her side, so she could get the chance to begin to live a holy life.

Those who conspired to disgrace her left there in shame. You will not end up in shame in the mighty name of Jesus.
It is very painful to see some Christians gifting souls the devil because of their ‘holier than thou’ attitude.

Even in a bar, alcoholics buy drinks for one another and one would hardly be able to tell which of them cannot afford to buy a drink.
If this happens in such settings, how much more should we look out for of another in the house of God?
If a pregnant teenage girl is disdained by her church members, the nightclub or brothel would be ready to accept her.
This is why many fallen Christians go deeper into sin.

Rebuke in love. Let your word to erring brethren lift the hands that are falling, and raise the feeble knees (Job 4:4).
We should not be like that proverbial army that specializes in shooting down its already wounded soldiers.


KEY POINT:
Check your motive before you correct a sinner. Is it love or just the will to reduce their self-esteem?

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE GENERAL OVERSEER OF THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 SAMUEL 9-12

HYMNAL 27:

TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE

1. Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2. Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine:
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Open Heavens Prayer Points

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens.
Wednesday 8th April 2020 –
Topic: *Holier than Thou 1*
PRAYER POINTS:

1. ALMIGHTY FATHER, I worship and honour Your majesty for who you are, Holy King and Merciful Father.

2. KING OF KINGS, thank You for an amazing day like this that you have counted me worthy among the living witness.

3. FATHER, thank You for the forgiveness of sin and your tender mercies upon me and my family.

4. FATHER, thank You for making me Your righteousness and grace to live in You always, thank You Jesus

5. FATHER, thank You for Your word that constantly shed light in my path and enlightens my soul with wisdom

6. HOLY SPIRIT, have Your way in me and glorify Yourself in all that I do henceforth, in the name of Jesus

7. FATHER, this day I lift up to You many affected either in their health or any way by this global pandemic make way for them, in the mighty name of Jesus

8. JESUS, I come to You because You are the greatest healer and I ask for Your healing power to overflow this moment, in the name of Jesus

9. FATHER ETERNAL, when I do not see, hear or know you are always working let every wilderness journey of 2020 turn around to channel of testimonies worldwide, in Jesus’ name

10. LORD ETERNAL, I lift many at the frontline unto you great healer heal through them save souls and life through them, grant them divine immunity, in the powerful name of Jesus

11. FATHER ALMIGHTY, concerning every soul that is presently confused and unaware of who you are today let them have divine encounter with you

12. FATHER, we ask for Your intervention in this critical time, especially to all our leaders. We are using the Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Boris Johnson as a point of contact to all world leaders and all current #Covid-19 patients, give them the grace, strength and health capacity to fight this common enemy, in Jesus’ name

13. FATHER, by Your power let only Your will stand in every lives, nation and world at large, in Jesus’ name

14. FATHER, I ask for Your help grace to continue this race. We live in a time when it’s difficult to have a Holy life, but Your grace is sufficient.

15. FATHER, I submit myself to You and my family, bless us with wisdom and understanding, to handle all issues of life accordingly, in Jesus’ name

16. FATHER, I know You are in control of everything going on with my world today. My soul is at peace, because I trust in You. Comfort the families across the world and bring to an end, all the uncertainties and anxieties in Jesus’ name

17. FATHER, help our medical experts with wisdom and understanding. Give them divine insights to create a lasting solution towards this pandemic, in Jesus’ name

18. HOLY SPIRIT, comfort us and all the families affected all over the world. Let Your peace reign in our hearts and minds, in the name of Jesus

19. FATHER, let Your will be made manifest in my life now and forever, in Jesus’ everlasting name

20. FATHER, grant those at the frontline of this pandemic divine wisdom, immunity and protection over their health and all that concerns them, in Jesus name

21. FATHER, we are so grateful for all the people who continue to work each day so that people are able to eat. We ask that You bless and protect them as they serve, in Jesus’ name

22. FATHER, through this Online Christian platform, you shall bring many to Christ for the salvation of their souls, in the name of Jesus

23. FATHER, bless your son, Pastor E.A.Adeboye and his entire household; uphold them all by Your right hand of righteousness till the end, and reward them abundantly for all their labours of love, in Your vineyard, in Jesus’ name.

24. FATHER, bless the intercessory team, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus’ name.

25. FATHER, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus’ name.

26. In Jesus’ name I pray.
(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

27. Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).
#GodBlessOurHomes
These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus' name.

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 8TH APRIL 2020.

THEME: HOLIER THAN THOU I.


MEMORISE:


Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. Isaiah 65:5


READ: Isaiah 65:1-7

1I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;

3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;

4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,

7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.


MESSAGE

There is a worrisome trend in Christendom today: many people claiming to be holier than other. While I am a serious advocate for holy living, I am not in support of condemning other because of the assumption that they are not as holy as you. We must acknowledge that we are what we are by the grace of God ( 1 Corinthians 15:10) and no one can be holy except by this grace.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25


So, when you see someone living a questionable life, do not condemn him/her, rather pray that God gives the person grace to live holy. It is okay to correct someone who has done wrong, but if it is not done in love, you most likely will not get the positive result.

Many people have given up on faith because some Christians have condemned them. The hurting and reproachful words spoken to them have pushed them far away from God rather than closer to Him. This is not good at all. Let love reign. Let tour actions be guided by the intention to bring people out of darkness, not because you deliberately want to hurt them by pointing out their flaws.

If anyone is backsliding I your local assembly, pray for such as you lovingly try to restore them according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Don’t laugh at any backslider, don’t look at them with disgust. The father of the prodigal son never mentioned all the ills the boy had done, he just embraced him in love.

From today, begin to walk in love with people in your family, church, workplace and everywhere else. See them with the eyes of Jesus and He will not only convert them but will also draw them unto Himself by His power.



KEY POINT:

Jesus is depending on you to show His love to the people of the world. Don’t push them away.



BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 4-8



AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 2: ALL T JESUS I SURRENDER.

1. All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
o Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

2. All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow;
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

3. All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

4. All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

5. All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame;
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!