Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SATURDAY JANUARY 25TH 2025

THEME: EVEN IN THE FIRE

MEMORISE:

Though he slay me, yet will l trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Job 13:15

BIBLE READING: DANIEL 3:9-25

9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.

10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.

14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

MESSAGE:

Sometime ago, a lady in one of the RCCG parishes was sacked unjustly from her workplace. Shortly after that, she embarked on a journey, and highway robbers stopped her and took her car away. Days later, while she was trying to cook, her kitchen caught fire. All these occurrences happened within a week. Interestingly, the following Sunday was Thanksgiving Sunday, and she danced and rejoiced more than everyone else. Everybody stared at her because she was the last person they expected to be dancing like that. However, she told them, "l lost my job, not my salvation. They stole my car, but they didn't steal my life. My kitchen caught fire, but I am not going to hell. Whatever the devil has tried, l am still here." That is the testimony of someone who had an intimate relationship with God before challenges came, and He never lets such people down (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

If anyone tells you that you will never face challenges because you are a Christian, that fellow is not telling you the whole truth. Challenges will come, but your response to them will be determined by how much you love God. If a challenge pushes you away from God, then your love is small. Some people confess their undying love for God, singing that they will always follow Him, whether through storms or fires. However, when challenges come, they forget their confession and turn away from Him.

If telling the truth about a situation at work will cost you your job, will you lie to save your job or tell the truth and bear the consequences? You may claim now that you will always tell the truth, but what will really determine what you will do in that situation is your love for God now. Your love for Him must be built from today if you will remain standing in the face of challenges.

In Daniel 3, the three Hebrew boys were confronted with the option to either bow to an idol or be thrown into fire. They chose fire, and that shows real love for God. That the love was not cultivated on the day the king gave command for them to bow; they had been cultivating it long before then.

Beloved, build your love for Christ now. Study your Bible diligently, pray without ceasing, and keep fellowshipping with other Christians so that when the day of adversity comes, your love for God will keep you standing.

REFLECTION:

Can you truly say right now that you love God with all your heart?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EXODUS 31-33

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 shadow can rise,

Not a cloud in the skies,

But His smiles quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt nor a fear,

Not a sigh nor a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey. 

3 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. 

4 But we never can prove 

The delights of His love 

Until all on the altar we lay; 

For the favour He shows, 

For the joy He bestows, 

Are for them,

Who will trust and obey. 

5 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 HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 

Friday, 24th January 2025

THE GLORY AND THE STORY

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, You are Jehovah Jireh, the Greatest provider and the giver of power to make wealth; thank You for giving me a source of income.

2.Father, ‭thank You for every of Your blessings I am enjoying through Christ Jesus. Thank You for the favours and the prosperity on the works of my hands.

3.Father, thank You for showing me the way of escape out of poverty and lack, through the act of sowing and reaping.

4.Father, please, help me to walk in complete obedience to Your word in the giving of my tithe, offerings and first fruits, help me to sow bountifully when it's time to sow so I can reap with joy at harvest time, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, please, help me never to be mean in my giving to You and to Your work, rather to give generously at all times, in Jesus' name

6.Father, please, in my daily walk with You, help me to grow in my giving so much that there will be nothing too hard or great to give back to You, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, please, change my story to glory; even before You take me to be with You, let the world hear of my story and give You the glory , in Jesus' name.

8.Father, please, help me to obey divine instructions that will lead me into divine prosperity, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, please, when You have blessed and prosper me, help me never to become attached to anything You have blessed me with, in Jesus' name.

10.‭Father, I want to enjoy the blessings of Abraham, please, help me to do his works, and more. Seperate me from the unfruitful works of the devil and help me to remain faithful in my giving to You, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, help me to pay the price to change the story of my life to glory, in Jesus' name.

12.Father, please, send help to Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye in all areas of life.

Let him continue to enjoy Your glory; bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), and help them to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, 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).

#happy2025

#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 JANUARY 24TH 2025

TOPIC: THE GLORY AND THE STORY

MEMORISE:

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” - (Psalm 126:5)

READ: PSALM 126:5-6 (KJV)

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

*MESSAGE:*

Some people who are not Christians become very rich because they understand the principle of sowing and reaping. If those who do not know God benefit from this simple principle, how much more God's children?

During a Kenneth Hagin camp meeting several years ago, a call was made for a special offering to be collected. Then, one man got up and said, "Brothers and sisters, please give very generously this evening because the total amount you all give is what my wife and I will give." There were about 17,500 people in attendance. When the offering was counted, it amounted to about $3.5million. He got up again and said, "Brethren, is this all you can do?" I said to myself, "This fellow knows something that I do not know," so I cornered him after the meeting and asked, "What is your secret?" He said, "Five years ago, I started a business with $500, and I told God, 'This company is Your company. I will not insult You by giving You 10 percent; I will keep 10 percent, and You will have 90 percent. It is up to You to prosper the company if You want to.'" He continued, "Sir, today, I have a turnover of $50million."

I learnt a major lesson that day. Though I do not give God 90 percent yet, I am on my way, and He has already blessed me beyond my expectations. If you see someone walking in glory, try and find out what their story is. If you see someone prospering much more than you, and you are both children of the same heavenly Father, find out their secret.

The Bible says that God blessed Abraham in everything (Genesis 24:1). He was rich in cattle, houses, lands, and servants. Today, billions of Christians say, "Abraham's blessings are mine." However, the same Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son at God's instruction (Genesis 22:10). He also obeyed God to leave his father's house to an unknown land (Genesis 12:4), lived in tents in the land God showed him, refusing to become attached to anything God blessed him with (Hebrews 11:9), and gave tithes to God (Genesis 14:20). Those who will enjoy the blessings of Abraham must do his works.

Beloved, there's always a story behind every glory. Don't just ask God to give you the glory you see on others who are shining today; try to find out what they did to walk in that glory. 

 KEY POINT:

There is always a story behind the glory you see. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EXODUS 28-30

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE 

HYMN:16 - 'Tis SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS 

1 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

and to take him at his word;

just to rest upon his promise,

and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Refrain:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!

How I've proved him o'er and o'er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

O for grace to trust him more!

2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus,

just to trust his cleansing blood;

and in simple faith to plunge me

neath the healing, cleansing flood! [Refrain]

3 Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,

just from sin and self to cease;

just from Jesus simply taking

life and rest, and joy and peace. [Refrain]

Open Heavens Prayer Points

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL

Sunday, 19th January 2025

 THE SOURCE OF ALL HELP

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 being my help in ages past, thank You for helping me to overcome my challenges, thank You for You are my hope for tomorrow.

2.Father, ‭I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good. For You had delivered me out of all trouble: And mine eye have seen his desire upon mine enemies.

3.Father, You are the very present help in trouble; the helper of the helpless, I lift up my eyes unto You Lord, please, help me, in Jesus' name.

4.Father, please, give me help from my troubles, for vain is the help of man. Lord, help me and do not allow me to be put to shame, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, please, make me a beneficiary of divine help, turn every impossible situation in my life into testimonies, in Jesus' name.

6.Father, please, no matter how terrible my health situation is, turn every negative medical report to bundle of testimonies, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, please, whatever it is that had made people turn their backs on me, making me a mockery in the society, step in O Lord, and turn my mockery into miracles. Silent my mockers and turn my shame to glory, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, save me O God, by thy name, and give ear to the words of my mouth. Deliver me from the strangers that are risen up against me, and from the oppressors that seek after my soul, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, please, help me to set my gaze on You, and You alone. Help me never to seek help from the devil, for with You, all things are possible, in Jesus' name.

10.‭Father, please, as we lift up our eyes unto You for help as a nation; You are the maker of heaven and earth, please, give us all-round help over the enemies of peace in our states and nations of the world, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, I lift my eyes unto You , please, send help to me today, in Jesus' name.

12.Father, please, send help to Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye in all areas of life.

Help him never to lose His relevance in life and ministry; bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), and help them to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, 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).

#happy2025

#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: SUNDAY JANUARY 19TH 2025

TOPIC: THE SOURCE OF ALL HELP

MEMORISE:

“Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.” - (Psalm 60:11)

READ: PSALM 54:1-7 (KJV)

1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.

4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.

6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.

7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

MESSAGE:

In Psalm 121:1-2, David said:

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

This passage implies that help is always available with the One who made heaven and earth. The question is, will you seek your help from Him? In Psalm 46:1, David said, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." God's help is ever-present, especially in times when you are in trouble. God is the helper of the helpless.

A lady was barren for several years, and her pastor had prayed for her continually, but nothing happened. One day, the pastor called her and said, "Woman, everybody I prayed for has given birth. What's the issue?" The woman told him that when she was in secondary school, she got pregnant and tried to abort the pregnancy. In the process, she began to bleed badly and had to be taken to the hospital. In a bid to save her life, the doctor had to remove her womb. When the pastor heard this, he said, "You mean you have no womb? Why are you asking me to pray for you to be fruitful?" She then replied, "Sir, you are the one who taught us that with God, all things are possible." From that day onward, the pastor began to avoid her. She noticed it and decided to lift up her eyes to the hills, not to the pastor or the General Overseer, but to the Lord who made heaven and earth and who is always present to help. One night, she dreamt that a huge man approached her, holding the skin of an animal. She was so terrified by the size of the man that she couldn't move. As she was completely naked in the dream, the man came and wrapped the skin of the animal around her waist. When she woke up, she discovered that she was menstruating. By the time she was giving her testimony, she had given birth to five children.

Beloved, don't look up to any pastor, evangelist, or General Overseer for help; rather, look up to the source of all help. Nobody can help you without God's permission anyway. Rather than looking up to people, why not just go straight to the One whom they also rely on for help? Your help is always available with Him. 

 PRAYER POINT:

Father, I lift my eyes unto You. Please, send help to me today. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR  EXODUS 11-13

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE 

HYMNAL: 26 - THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING 

1 There shall be showers of blessing:

This is the promise of love;

There shall be seasons refreshing,

Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain:

Showers of blessing,

Showers of blessing we need:

Mercy-drops round us are falling,

But for the showers we plead.

2 There shall be showers of blessing,

Precious reviving again;

Over the hills and the valleys,

Sound of abundance of rain. 

3 There shall be showers of blessing:

Send them upon us, O Lord;

Grant to us now a refreshing,

Come and now honor Thy Word. 

4 There shall be showers of blessing:

Oh, that today they might fall,

Now as to God we're confessing,

Now as on Jesus we call!

Open Heavens Prayer Points

 Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heavens 

Saturday, 18th January, 2025

Produce Sons

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 giving us Your Son, Jesus Christ, who shares same glory and power with You yet, He took the form of man to suffer and died for the sins of the world.

2.Father, thank You for Jesus, who became a model of humility, total obedience to Your will, and a true friend who loves and laid His life for His friends.

3.Father, please, help me to be like Jesus in character and in word; let the traits of being with You be evident on my life, in Jesus' name.

4.Father, please, help me to follow You wholeheartedly that I may experience a total transformation as a result of my being with You, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, please, let my life become a point of reference for good. Let everyone that spends time with me begin to notice positive differences in their lives, in Jesus' name.

6.Father, please, help me to be deliberate on delicately bringing up the biological and spiritual children You have given unto me, such that they will become true sons and daughters, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, please, in the training of the people You have given me, help me to exercise tolerance and patience, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, please, help me to correct the people working with me when the need arises, and to teach them the things they need to learn, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, please, with the people You have given to me, help me to train them to be able to maximize their potentials and to become great, in Jesus' name.

10.‭Father, please, help me not to throw out the people that are willing to become better under me. Don't let me use my impatience to throw them out into the world, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, please, help me to produce sons out of the people You have sent into my life, in Jesus' name.

12.Father, please may I not send out of my life, the children You have sent to me. Help me not to tolerate disobedience and indiscipline in my sons and daughters, in Jesus' name.

13.Father, thank You for helping Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye in all areas of life.

Help him never to lose His relevance in life and ministry; bless his ministry, home, and family (biological and spiritual), and help them to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name.

14.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.

15.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.

16.Your Personal petitions.

( Philippians 4:6)

17.In Jesus name I pray.

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

18.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: SATURDAY JANUARY 18TH 2025

TOPIC: PRODUCE SONS

MEMORISE:

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient towards all men.” - (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

READ: PHILEMON 1:10-18 (KJV)

10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

MESSAGE:

In the context of today's topic, a son is someone who looks like you and has some of your traits. In (1 Samuel 22), David accommodated people who were vagabonds, and he later raised them to become valiant men like himself. Jesus Christ spent only three-and-a-half years with His disciples, but by the time He left, they had been so transformed that they were just like people who had gotten formal education (Acts 4:13). When someone has spent some time with you, can other people notice a positive difference in him or her?

The Bible says that if you delicately bring up a servant from childhood, that servant will later become a son to you (Proverbs 29:21). Childhood here refers to a time when a person doesn't understand much about life. If you have people working with you, raise them like they are your children. Correct them when the need arises, teach them the things they need to learn and don't give up on them while they are still working on their weaknesses. After a while, they will become just like sons and daughters to you.

Many people say that they cannot tolerate nonsense when, in reality, they are just impatient with people. Such people forget that patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). Many of the people who support me today were initially rough around the edges, to put it mildly. However, the Lord helped me to train them. I didn't give up on them, and after a while, they became like sons to me, handling sensitive assignments. If you want to be successful as a leader, you have to learn to invest in people.

In Yorubaland, an adage says that the one whose children will be many cannot be short-tempered. Sometimes, the reason people are lonely is that they have driven the children God sent to them out of their lives by their intolerance. There are many people with great potential out there that can become great if someone trains them. However, this is not to say that you should continue to tolerate people who persistently do terrible things or engage in criminal acts. After many warnings and efforts to change such people, if they refuse to change, you can handle the case as Paul did in (1 Corinthians 5:5). However, if people are generally of good behaviour but have some negative traits and are willing to become better, don't use your impatience to throw them out into the world. 

 KEY POINT:

Seek to produce sons out of the people God has sent into your life. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EXODUS 8-10

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE 

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.