Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

DATE: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 2ND 2024.

TOPIC: HEARING FROM GOD

MEMORISE:

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” - (Isaiah 30:21)

READ: JOHN 10:2-5 (KJV)

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

MESSAGE:

Hearing is critical to all humans. For example, you will immediately know that you need to get out of the way when you hear the blare of a car’s horn behind you. Beyond hearing in the physical, it is also critical for believers to be able to hear from God as we see in our memory verse.

Due to my training as a mathematician, I have learnt to delve into things that are not obvious. For instance, many Christians miss out on the fact that Elisha and Elijah were talking as they walked together in (2 Kings 2:11). When I studied that Scripture, I wondered what their discussion was about. Also, in Daniel 3, when the three Hebrew men were with the fourth man in the fire, what were they talking about? What did Jesus discuss with Moses and Elijah in Matthew 17:1-9? What was so crucial that they came down from heaven to discuss with Jesus? In (2 Corinthians 12:1-4), Paul said that he heard words that were not lawful for a man to speak. What were those words? In Revelation 10:4, John heard some things and wanted to write them down, but the angel told him they were not to be written; they were for his ears alone. What did he hear? I am really curious about these and many more of such conversations.

God made the world with words. Words are very powerful, especially when they come from God. The Bible says that the entrance of His word always brings light to the hearer and to situations (Psalm 119:130). You cannot live an effective Christian life if you do not hear from God. The Bible teaches that if you believe, you will see the glory of God (John 11:40). However, this faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word, and He healed and delivered them.” The question is, how do you receive God’s word?

To receive God’s word effectively, ensure that nothing distracts you and that you are totally focused on listening to His word. Move away from distractions, so that you can hear exactly what God wants to say to you in that moment. Also, pray for God to open your spiritual ears so that you can understand what is being said.

In Revelations 2:29, the Bible says that those that have ears should hear what the spirit is saying. You have spiritual ears; ensure that they are not deaf to what the Spirit of God has to say to you at every point in time.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please open my spiritual ears and let me hear from You always.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOHN 5-6

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE 

HYMNAL: 15 - PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOUR 

1 Pass me not, O gentle Savior,

Hear my humble cry,

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

Refrain:

Savior, Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

2 Let me at a throne of mercy

Find a sweet relief;

Kneeling there in deep contrition,

Help my unbelief. [Refrain]

3 Trusting only in Thy merit,

Would I seek Thy face;

Heal my wounded, broken spirit,

Save me by Thy grace. [Refrain]

4 Thou the Spring of all my comfort,

More than life to me,

Whom have I on earth beside Thee?

Whom in heav'n but Thee? [Refrain]

Open Heavens Prayer Points

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL

Friday, 1st November 2024

THE MYSTERY OF OUR 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.Bless the Lord o my soul, forget not all His benefits. Thank You Lord for the gift of life to witness a new month.

2.Father, thank You for saving me from sin and hell. Thank You for calling me Your friend and not a slave, making me to know the mystery of Your kingdom.

3.Father, thank You for the measure of faith in me, please, help me to grow in faith so that I can understand the things of the Spirit of God, in Jesus' name

4.Father, please, help me to believe You like a child believes the parents. Help me not to relate with You logically but to follow You in total obedience even when it makes no human sense, in Jesus' name 

5.Father, please, help me not to argue with You, help me also to avoid unnecessary arguments with people concerning the truth of Your word, in Jesus' name 

6.Father, please, give me the knowledge of the word and release Your Spirit on me. Let Your power be evident in my life, in Jesus' name 

7.Father, please, according to Your word in Mark 16:17, let signs and wonders follow me and use me to lead many people into Your kingdom, in Jesus' name 

8.Father, please, help me to believe like a little child and to become like one in humility, love and complete submission to Your will, so that I can enter the kingdom of heaven, in Jesus' name 

9.Father, please, as many that are yet to be saved in my family, among my friends and neighbors, I commit their hearts to You, let the Holy Spirit convict and convert them, in Jesus' name 

10.Father, use me to showcase Your power so that I can win my generation for You, in Jesus' name 

11.Father, please, bless your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye; honor his faith in You and grant him divine health and long life. Bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), and help them to remain a shining light 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).

#Happynewmonth

#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: FRIDAY NOVEMBER 1ST 2024

TOPIC: THE MYSTERY OF OUR FAITH

MEMORISE:

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” - (Matthew 18:3)

READ: MATTHEW 18:1-5 (KJV)

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

MESSAGE:

The Christian walk is very unique. This is because Christianity is dependent on an individual’s ability to believe. As a result of this, Christians are generally called ‘believers’. A scientist might say, “Prove it to me, and I will believe you,” but in Christendom, God says, “Believe Me, and I will prove it to you.” This is the mystery of Christianity.

To an unbeliever, our faith is proof that we, as Christians, are not wise. This is because a natural man cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14). However, in (1 Corinthians 1:27), the Bible tells us that God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. For example, it does not make sense to unbelievers when we say that a virgin gave birth to Jesus Christ. Most times, they think to themselves, “How can a virgin give birth?”

Jesus said something very important in our memory verse for today. He said that only those who are like children will inherit the kingdom. In other words, you must believe Him like a child believes his or her parents, whether what they say makes sense or not. Many people make the mistake of trying to relate with God logically. This is impossible because the Bible says that God’s ways and thoughts are beyond human comprehension (Isaiah 55:8-9).

There are people who argue against Christianity with logic. Do not argue with such people because you cannot explain Christianity logically. Paul told Timothy in (2 Timothy 2:23-25) to avoid unnecessary arguments with people concerning the truth of God’s word.

The way to prove that God is real is not through arguments but by the display of power as Elijah did in (1 Kings 18). Apostle Paul said in (1 Corinthians 4:20): “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” Furthermore, John 4:48 says, “...Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” No matter how hard you try, you cannot win anyone to Christ by an argument. Once you have shared the gospel of Christ with unbelievers, commit their hearts to God, as it is only the Holy Spirit that can convict and convert them. Do not argue with them about your Christian faith, rather, ask God to use you for signs and wonders so that when they see the power of God, they will surrender without any argument.

Beloved, I pray that the power of God will be evident in your life and that He will use you to lead many people into His kingdom, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, use me to showcase Your power so that I can win my generation for You.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOHN 3-4

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE 

HYMNAL: 21 - STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING 

1 Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

Through eternal ages let His praises ring,

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

  Standing on the promises of God.

 

Standing, standing,

Standing on the promises of God my Savior;

Standing, standing,

  I’m standing on the promises of God.

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

  Standing on the promises of God.

3 Standing on the promises I now can see

Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;

Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,

  Standing on the promises of God.

4 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,

Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,

  Standing on the promises of God.

5 Standing on the promises I shall not fall,

List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.

Resting in my Savior as my All in all,

  Standing on the promises of God.

Open Heavens Prayer Points

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL

Thursday, 31st October 2024

STAND FIRM 

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 bringing me to the last day in the month of October, 2024

2.Father, thank You for upholding me through the storms and challenges of life, I wouldn't have come this far but Your love and mercy had kept me.

3.Father, thank You for sending Your word to me and for establishing me in the truth of Your word against all lies and deception of the devil. 

4.Father, please, help me to be deeply rooted in the truth of Your word; help me Lord, such that I would not be carried away by the wind of doctrine of men and satanic craftiness, in Jesus' name 

5.Father, please, make me stronger in faith that I may stand firm, help me to daily search the scriptures which is able to make me grow in faith, in Jesus' name 

6.Father, please, help me to know You for myself, give me a first-hand experience of who You truly are, such that it will become extremely difficult for anyone to deceive me, in Jesus' name 

7.Father, please, fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may know all truth. Help me to be led daily by the Holy Spirit so I won't fulfill the desires of the flesh, in Jesus' name 

8.Father, please, release the power of the Holy Spirit into me to teach me all things. Uproot every deposit of fear in me and make me stand on my faith without shame or intimidation of being identified with You, in Jesus' name 

9.Father, please, let me experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit so I can stand and defend my faith as a rock and an ambassador of Christ, in Jesus' name 

10.Father, help me to stand firm in my godly beliefs so much that it will become difficult to be deceived by false doctrines, in Jesus' name 

11.Father, please, bless your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye; honor his faith in You and grant him divine health and long life. Bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), and help them to remain a shining light 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: THURSDAY OCTOBER 31ST 2024

TOPIC: STAND FIRM

MEMORISE:

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning of craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” - (Ephesians 4:14)

READ: DANIEL 1:8-16 (KJV)

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

MESSAGE:

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. - (1 Corinthians 16:13)

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; - (Ephesians 4:14)

From the passages above, it is clear that strong men stand fast in their faith; it is children that are tossed by every wind of doctrine. When people change their beliefs just because of what one ‘man of God’ said or because their pastor announced that he had changed his beliefs, without them going to search for the truth in God’s word themselves, I know that they are baby Christians or Christians with stunted growth.

Once you find the truth in God’s word, don’t let what people say shake your faith. Don’t let your walk with God be dictated by what people say. You must know God for yourself and let your walk with Him be dependent on your personal relationship with Him. There is nothing compared to having a first-hand experience of who God truly is. Once you start to relate with Him personally, it becomes difficult for anybody to deceive you because you know your God.

In John 16:13, Jesus Christ said that the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. So, to know the truth about the word of God, you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It is your relationship with the Holy Spirit that determines how much truth you know.

(1 John 2:27) says that the anointing in you will teach you all things, and according to Acts 10:38, the anointing comes with the Holy Ghost and power. Peter, for example, was too fearful to stand on his belief of Jesus being the Messiah and to identify with Him before his baptism in the Holy Spirit. After he experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Peter became an entirely different person. In Acts 11:1-18, after he had gone to Cornelius’ house and the congregation gathered together to query him for going to a gentile’s house, he stood firm as a rock and said, “The Spirit bade me go.” He was no longer scared to stand on what he believed.

Get filled with the Holy Spirit, and you will know the truth of God’s word so much that it will be difficult to be deceived by false doctrines.

KEY POINT:

Stand firm in your godly beliefs.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JOHN 1-2

HYMNAL: 20 - STAND UP! STAND UP FOR JESUS 

1 Stand up, stand up for Jesus

ye soldiers of the cross;

lift high his royal banner,

it must not suffer loss.

From vict'ry unto vict'ry

his army he shall lead

till ev'ry foe is vanquished

and Christ is Lord indeed.

2 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

the trumpet call obey;

forth to the mighty conflict

in this his glorious day.

Ye that are men now serve him

against unnumbered foes;

let courage rise with danger

and strength to strength oppose.

3 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

stand in his strength alone;

the arm of flesh will fail you,

ye dare not trust your own.

Put on the gospel armor,

each piece put on with prayer;

where duty calls or danger,

be never wanting there.

4 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

the strife will not be long;

this day the noise of battle,

the next, the victor's song.

To him that overcometh

a crown of life shall be;

he with the King of glory

shall reign eternally.

#seekfirstthekingdomofGod

Open Heavens Prayer Points

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL

Wednesday, 30th October 2024

THE LOT OF THE BOASTFUL

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, because You are the God of all knowledge, and nothing is hidden from You; You know my end even before I was born.

2.Father, thank You for humbling Yourself even to death on the Cross at Calvary that I may be saved, thank You for being a symbol of humility.

3.Father, please, forgive me of my pride and boastfulness, do not resist me Lord, please grant me grace to always remember how frail I am without You.

4.Father, please, help me that my boasting will be only in You; may I not glory in my wisdom nor in riches and possession that You have given me, in Jesus' name 

5.Father, please, help me always to watch and to pray against whatever that is about becoming a tool for the devil to use in bringing me down, in Jesus' name 

6.Father, please, help me not to delight myself in the praises of men nor be boastful of any of my achievements or successes, in Jesus' name 

7.Father, please, help me not to carelessly lose my battle-axe to the enemy on the  battlefield, don't let me reveal my secret to the enemies through boasting, in Jesus' name 

8.Father, please, help me never to deny You at any point in time, help me to heed Your warnings, instructions and to repent of my boastfulness, in Jesus' name 

9.Father, please, help me never to think of myself more highly than I ought to, but to think soberly and never boasting, in Jesus' name 

10.Father, please, help me never to boast in my status, abilities or possessions, in Jesus' name 

11.Father, please, bless your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye; honor his faith in You and grant him divine health and long life. Bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), and help them to remain a shining light 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: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30TH 2024.

TOPIC: THE LOT OF THE BOASTFUL

MEMORISE:

“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches.” - (Jeremiah 9:23)

READ: MARK 14:22-31, 65-72 (KJV)

22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

MESSAGE:

In Matthew 26:31-35, Peter showed himself as a boaster. Jesus Christ turned to the disciples and said that they would desert Him that night, and Peter responded boastfully:

...Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. - (Matthew 26:33)

In other words, he was saying, “Me? Do you know whom you are talking to? If all these weaklings desert you, you can count on me, Lord.” The Lord said, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me thrice.” He said, “It seems as if you don’t know whom you are talking to. Even if I have to die with you, I will die; I can never deny you.” However, in Matthew 26:69-75, who did we find swearing that he did not know Jesus? The same Peter!

Whatever a fellow boasts about has power over him or her. This is why the Bible says rejoicing in boasting is evil.

But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. - (James 4:16)

Once you find yourself boasting about something, watch out, that thing is about to become a tool for the devil to use in bringing you down. This is why you must not boast. The only boasting allowed is boasting in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31). That is what David did in (1 Samuel 17:41-47) which led to him defeating Goliath. Even if you feel no one is better than you at something, keep your mouth shut. A man considered to be wiser than all men (1 Kings 4:31) said:

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. - (Proverbs 27:2)

Boasting is like being on the battlefield and telling the enemy how to strike and defeat you. You may think you are talking about your strength, but every wise fellow knows that the moment you boast about something, it becomes your weakness. Goliath was boasting before he got struck down by a mere teenager with a catapult. Nebuchadnezzar was boasting about his achievements in one moment, and the next moment, he was eating grass in the field like an animal (Daniel 4:28-33).

Beloved, if you have been a boaster, repent now. You may only boast in God, but avoid all other kinds of boasting. There is no good in boasting outside Christ; it will only lead to shame and defeat.

KEY POINT:

Never ever boast in your status, abilities, or possessions.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: LUKE 23-24

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE 

HYMNAL: 10 - IN CHRIST ALONE 

1 In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my Light, my Strength, my Song

This Cornerstone, this Solid Ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

2 In Christ alone, Who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless Babe

This Gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

‘Til on that cross as Jesus diedl

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

3 There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

4 No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

‘Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.