Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY JULY 25TH 2024

THEME: GOOD FOLLOWERSHIP I

MEMORISE: Be ye followers of me, even as | also am f Christ.   1 Corinthians 11:1

READ: 1 Kings 19:19-21 

19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

2 Kings 3:11 

11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

MESSAGE

Many people talk about leadership, but you hardly hear them talk about followership. The truth is, no leader can succeed without good followers. Leaders are raised from amongst the followers, so the better the followers, the better the quality of leaders.

Submission is one of the greatest attributes that a follower can have. It is different from cooperation. You cooperate when you agree with a leader's instructions, but you are submissive when you obey, whether you agree with the instruction or not. Not being submissive indicates that a follower is acting in his or her own interest rather than the interest of the entire group that the leader represents. Some followers steal because they are ready to sacrifice the interest of the entire group to satisfy their personal interests. If this behavior continues unchecked and the follower eventually becomes a leader, he or she will only care about himself or herself.

Gehazi showed this in 2 Kings 5:20-27. Elisha had collected nothing from Naaman for curing his leprosy, but Gehazi was after his personal interest as opposed to that of the Lord, which his master represented. He proceeded to collect gifts from Naaman and was immediately struck with leprosy. Judas Iscariot was also recorded to have been stealing from the ministry's purse (John 12:6). This is why he could not be amongst the apostles to carry the gospel around the world after Jesus left. Such a person will never make a good leader because his or her personal interest will be more important than common interests.

Some people may say, "I don't steal, I just disobey my leader because I don't like him." This is, however, just as bad as stealing. In Matthew 25:24-30, the servant who was given one talent to trade with did not steal the talent, he hid it rather than trade with it as instructed because he did not like his master's leadership style. The master wasn't annoyed that he did not trade with it as instructed, but that he could have at least put it in the bank to yield some interest. Putting it in the bank would have shown that even though he did not like his master, he was interested in the company's prosperity. This made his master call him an unfaithful servant. He was more particular about himself, which is a bad trait for any follower or leader.

Beloved, if you want to be a good leader, you must first be a good follower by obeying your leader and putting common interests above yours.

REFLECTION

Am la good follower?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 41-43

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD 

1. When we walk with the Lord 

in the light of his word, 

what a glory he sheds on our way! 

While we do his good will, 

he abides with us still, 

and with all who will trust and obey. 

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there's no other way 

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 

2. Not a burden we bear, 

not a sorrow we share, 

but our toil he doth richly repay; 

not a grief or a loss, 

not a frown or a cross, 

but is blest if we trust and obey.  

3. But we never can prove 

the delights of his love 

until all on the altar we lay; 

for the favor he shows, 

for the joy he bestows, 

are for them who will trust and obey. 

4. Then in fellowship sweet 

we will sit at his feet, 

or we'll walk by his side in the way; 

what he says we will do, 

where he sends we will go; 

never fear, only trust and obey.

Open Heavens Prayer Points

 Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 

Wednesday, 24th July 2024 - 

GROWING IN FAITH 

Special Note.

These prayer points are not written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, but by one of his, disciples, of Christ, who was inspired and mandated by the Holy Spirit, effective, January 1st, 2015, to start writing these prayer points, based on the Open Heavens Daily Devotional  authored by Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

Some of the prayer points are deep spiritually and may not be understood by carnal minds.

If you want to be blessed from these prayer points, you must first, surrender Your life, to the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, by saying this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me all my sins. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal destruction in hell fire. In Jesus name, I pray.”

PRAYER POINTS 

1.  Father, thank You for Your word is Yea and Amen, thank You for giving us Your word through which we live

2.  Father, thank You for the measure of faith in me, thank You for making provisions for me to grow in faith 

3.  Father, in any area I have sin against You and fallen short of Your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me my sins, in Jesus name 

4.  Father, help me to love Your word , to study and meditate in it daily that I may grow in faith, in Jesus name 

5.  Father, I want to hear directly from You, please, remove every hindrance on my path, speak to me Lord, in Jesus name 

6.  Father, help me to please You, help me to act my faith, to dare things that are greater than my human capacity, uproot every doubt and unbelieve in me, in Jesus name 

7.  Father, I know that You are a limitless God and there is nothing You cannot do, please Father, help my little faith, in Jesus name.

8.   Father, for all the testimonies I have heard about Your wonder-working power, I believe You Lord, please, make my life a testimony too for the world to hear, in Jesus name

9.  Father, let me also get my own miracle as I listen to testimonies of others, in Jesus name.

10.  Father, help me to continually my faith in You, in the place of Your word, prayer, and in acting my faith, in Jesus name.

11.  Father, bless your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye;  grant him divine health and long life; and, bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), forever, in Jesus name.

12.  Father, bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus name.

13.  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.

14.  Your Personal petitions.

( Philippians 4:6)

15 ..In Jesus name I pray.

(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

16.  Thank You Father for answered prayers.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

#GodBlessOurNation

These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.

Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye's, books ministry.

Note:

You may not add, subtract or rearrange these prayer points. The Holy Spirit is the author, though He used someone, who, out of humility has refused to take glory for it, by not putting his name. It is plagiarism to use, or pass as your own, someone else writing or work. The original author of these prayer points is the Holy Spirit. So, share, but don't share His glory with Him in the process.

Remain blessed, as you obey, in Jesus name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY  DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY JULY 24TH 2024

THEME: GROWING IN FAITH

MEMORISE: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that come th to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligen tly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

READ: Mark 11:12-24

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

13And 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.

15And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.

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.

22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

MESSAGE

Faith comes through God's word (Romans 10:17). The more you study God's word, the greater your faith becomes. Also, when God speaks to you directly, your faith increases. For example, when Abraham heard God speak to Him directly about having many children, it stirred up his faith (Genesis 1 5:5-6). There is great power in studying the word of God and in hearing His voice.

When I asked God for a small apartment in a suburb of Lagos, He told me that He would give me a city instead. This sounded ridiculous but hearing it from Him directly built up so much faith in me that I started telling people what God told me. For your faith to really grow, don't just study the word and pray; seek to hear from God concerning your life. Once you hear Him give you a promise, His voice will cause a surge in your faith.

Furthermore, just as you grow your muscles through physical exercise, grow your faith by exercising it as well. If you believe God for something and don't make any move in line with what you believe, your faith will never grow. When I decided to believe that paying tithes would bring me blessings, I took action to pay my tithes. I discovered that God supernaturally improved my finances after doing that. Immediately, my faith grew. I then knew, without any doubt, that paying tithes attracts God's blessings, but I didn't get to that level of faith until I had acted on the little faith I had initially. As you believe God for little things and see them fulfilled, your faith will grow for big things. Act

your faith; dare to do things that are greater than your human capacity, knowing that you serve a limitless God. Jump and let Him catch you. The more you do this and succeed, the stronger your faith will be.

Lastly, testimonies will also grow your faith. Hearing someone's testimony builds faith in you to know that God can also move on your behalf. Many people have testified at our Holy Ghost Services that they got their miracle because they heard someone else’s testimony. I started operating in divine health when I heard the testimony of a man that was bent double whom God healed completely. From that testimony, I knew that God can heal all diseases, so I trusted Him completely with my health. Listen to more testimonies; purposely search for testimonies of people who have gone through what you are going through. As you hear their testimonies, your faith will rise, and you will also get your miracle.

PRAYER POINT

Father, please help me to continually grow my faith in You.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 38-40

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 16: TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

1 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

Just to take Him at His Word

Just to rest upon His promise

Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord"

2 Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

Oh, for grace to trust Him more

3 I'm so glad I learned to trust Him

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend

And I know that He is with me

Will be with me to the end

4 Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

Oh, for grace to trust Him more

5 Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

Oh, for grace to trust Him more

Open Heavens Prayer Points

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL

Tuesday, 23rd July 2024

DANGEROUS AND BENIGN

Special Note.

These prayer points are not written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, but by one of his, disciples, of Christ, who was inspired and mandated by the Holy Spirit, effective, January 1st, 2015, to start writing these prayer points, based on the Open Heavens Daily Devotional  authored by Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

Some of the prayer points are deep spiritually and may not be understood by carnal minds.

If you want to be blessed from these prayer points, you must first, surrender Your life, to the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, by saying this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me all my sins. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal destruction in hell fire. In Jesus' name, I pray.”

PRAYER POINTS

1.  Father, I worship You for the power and gift of the Holy Spirit on man.

2.  Father, thank You for the workings of the Holy Spirit in my life and family. 

3.  Father, in any area I have sinned against You and fallen short of Your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me my sins, in Jesus' name 

4.  Father, let Your Holy Spirit rest on me afresh and make me a changed person, make me a very dangerous person to the enemy, in Jesus' name 

5.  Father, baptized me afresh with the Holy Spirit and with fire, if the enemies try to touch me, let them be consumed, in Jesus' name 

6.  Father, let the measure of the fire of the Holy Spirit be great and mighty throughout my life and family, in Jesus' name 

7.  Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit and with fire, I confront and overcome every of my fears and threats, in Jesus' name.

8.   Father, increase the intensity of Your fire in me and separate my life, family, career, business and ministry from the torment of the devil, in Jesus' name

9.  Father, let Your fire start boiling inside of me and keep me addicted to praying in the Holy Ghost, make me dangerous for the devil to attack, in Jesus' name.

10.  Father, I am ready to carry Your fire, break my life and family completely free from any yoke previously placed on me, make me a threat to the devil and his demons, in Jesus' name.

11.  Father, empower me by the Holy Spirit to pray in tongues for at least one hour today, and help me to make it a daily practice going forward, in Jesus' name 

12.  Father, bless your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye;  grant him divine health and long life; and, bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), forever, in Jesus' name.

13.  Father, bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus' name.

14.  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.

15.  Your Personal petitions.

( Philippians 4:6)

16 ..In Jesus' name I pray.

(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

17.  Thank You Father for answered prayers.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

#GodBlessOurNation

These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus' name.

Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye's, books ministry.

Note:

You may not add, subtract or rearrange these prayer points. The Holy Spirit is the author, though He used someone, who, out of humility has refused to take glory for it, by not putting his name. It is plagiarism to use, or pass as your own, someone else writing or work. The original author of these prayer points is the Holy Spirit. So, share, but don't share His glory with Him in the process.

Remain blessed, as you obey, in Jesus' name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY JULY 23RD 2024

THEME: DANGEROUS AND BENIGN

MEMORISE: And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Acts 13:11

READ: Acts 13:1-11 

1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:

7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

10bAnd said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

MESSAGE

When you're baptized in the Holy Spirit, it might seem like nothing has changed about you, but the reality is, you have become very dangerous to the enemy and his cohorts. In 2 Kings 1:9- 12, Elijah was not looking dangerous; he had no weapon in his hands and was not wearing a warrior's attire. However, the captains and soldiers that were sent to arrest him never lived to tell the story. You may look the same to your enemies, but the moment you are baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire, if they try to touch you, they will be consumed.

To become dangerous to your enemies, ensure that you carry the fire of God inside you in great measure. For over 13 years, I never went to my village because witches and wizards had threatened to deal with me. I became born again, and not long after I was baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, I received an invitation to attend a programme in the village. When I told my mother about the invitation, she begged me not to go. I told her that I now carry fire and anyone who touches me will roast. She said, "But you don't look any different; you are the same Adejare that I know." I replied, "The naked wire looks the same whether electricity is passing through it or not. However, touching it while electricity is passing through it is a suicide attempt." I went to the village, and no witch dared to touch me. 

Today, I announce my arrival beforehand so they can hide before l arrive in Nigeria; after drinking a bottle of Coke, we sometimes use the empty bottle as a container for kerosene. Once the bottle has become a kerosene container, you dare not put it in your mouth again. The devil knows that once you start carrying fire, he has to step carefully around you. If he has been tormenting you, the way to get him off your shoulder is to carry the fire of God. 

Pray so often that the fire of God starts boiling inside you. Become addicted to praying in the Holy Ghost. As you do this, the fire of God will burn inside you, and you will become dangerous for the devil to attack. Any yoke he had previously placed on you will break completely, and you will be free from his hold. When you have the fire of God burning in your bones, you will become a threat to the devil and his demons. Are you ready to carry God's fire?

ACTION POINT

Speak in tongues for at least one hour today and make this a daily practice going forward.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 35-37

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME

1. All hail the power of Jesus' name!

Let angels prostrate fall.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all!

2. O seed of Israel's chosen race

now ransomed from the fall,

hail him who saves you by his grace,

and crown him Lord of all.

Hail him who saves you by his grace,

and crown him Lord of all!

3. Let every tongue and every tribe

responsive to his call,

to him all majesty ascribe,

and crown him Lord of all.

To him all majesty ascribe,

and crown him Lord of all!

4. Oh, that with all the sacred throng

we at his feet may fall!

We'll join the everlasting song

and crown him Lord of all.

We'll join the everlasting song

and crown him Lord of all.

Open Heavens Prayer Points

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVEN 

Monday, 22nd July 2024

CONTENT vs CONTAINER

Special Note.

These prayer points are not written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, but by one of his, disciples, of Christ, who was inspired and mandated by the Holy Spirit, effective, January 1st, 2015, to start writing these prayer points, based on the Open Heavens Daily Devotional  authored by Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

Some of the prayer points are deep spiritually and may not be understood by carnal minds.

If you want to be blessed from these prayer points, you must first, surrender Your life, to the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, by saying this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I come to You with a deeply repentant heart, please, forgive me all my sins. I surrender my life to you, today, and, I accept You, as my personal Lord and Saviour. Please, come into my life and save my soul from eternal destruction in hell fire. In Jesus' name, I pray.”

PRAYER POINTS

1.  Father, thank You for the gift of life and for the salvation of my soul 

2.  Father, thank You for the grace to be of use in Your Hands as a vessel unto honor 

3.  Father, please, purge me of every evil content and cleanse me from every filthiness; have mercy and forgive me my sins, in Jesus' name 

4.  Father, deliver me from every form of pretense and remove from me every sinful habit (old wineskin), make me clean inside and outside, in Jesus' name 

5.  Father, on a daily basis, help me to live in complete holiness in the public and in my closet, in Jesus' name 

6.  Father, whenever rapture will take place, please, may I be found established in holiness and righteousness, in Jesus' name 

7.  Father, help me to genuinely restitute my ways in any area I need to, in which I am pretending to be perfect, in Jesus' name.

8.   Father, as many that are still pretending to be Christians but are ashamed to come out openly in genuine conversion, please deliver them from fear and embolden their hearts, in Jesus' name

9.  Father, help me never to allow any form of old wine into my container again, fill me with the new wine of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name.

10.  Father, I don't just want to be an ordinary believer, let Your power dwell in me mightily and continuously, in Jesus' name.

11.  Father, bless your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye;  grant him divine health and long life; and, bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), forever, in Jesus' name.

12.  Father, bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus' name.

13.  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.

14.  Your Personal petitions.

( Philippians 4:6)

15 ..In Jesus' name I pray.

(John 14:13-14; 15:16)

16.  Thank You Father for answered prayers.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18).

#GodBlessOurNation

These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus' name.

Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye's, books ministry.

Note:

You may not add, subtract or rearrange these prayer points. The Holy Spirit is the author, though He used someone, who, out of humility has refused to take glory for it, by not putting his name. It is plagiarism to use, or pass as your own, someone else writing or work. The original author of these prayer points is the Holy Spirit. So, share, but don't share His glory with Him in the process.

Remain blessed, as you obey, in Jesus' name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MONDAY JULY 22ND JULY

THEME: CONTENT VS CONTAINER

MEMORISE: Having form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:5

READ: Titus 1:15-16 

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

MESSAGE

We live in a world where people have learnt how to 'package' themselves to look a certain way, whereas they are not who they package themselves to be. Many years ago, when The Redeemed Christian Church of God was not as big as it is now, my mother-in-law said that it was difficult to differentiate between the pastor who was a mechanic and the one who was a lecturer in the university because they all looked alike in their suits on Sundays. However, the secret comes out on Mondays when everyone goes to their places of work. Some people know how to dress like Christians and even speak and pray like fervent Christians, but deep within them, they are unbelievers. Being in this world is like their Sunday; no one can tell the difference now. However, Monday is coming at rapture; then, the difference will be clear. Believe me, it does not matter if everyone in the world thinks that a fellow is the closest person to Jesus Christ. If he or she is not truly born-again, Jesus will deny the fellow on the last day.

Jesus Christ said in Luke 5:37-38 that if you put new wine in an old wineskin, both the content and the container will be lost forever.

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: Nelse the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

You cannot call Jesus 'Lord' and keep on obeying the devil. If you do so, you are trying to put new wine (the Holy Spirit) into an old wineskin (your sinful heart), which will only result in destruction at the end of the day.

Some people can deceive the whole world with their container, but that will only put them in more trouble because it will become more difficult for them to get on the right track with God. Many pastors have gone to hell because when they realized that they should genuinely give their lives to Christ, they were too ashamed to come out for an altar call or make restitution for the things they had done while they were pretending. Don't pretend to be a Christian; genuinely give your life to Christ if you haven't done so and live a holy life henceforth.

KEY POINT

Make your inside clean first, and then the outside will be clean as well. It is not the other way around.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 32-34

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 23: 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,

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,

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,

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,

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,

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,

Ever, only, all for Thee.