by dailyd | Oct 10, 2018 | Open Heavens
Topic: The Will of God
Memorise: “He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”- Matthew 26:42
Read: Matthew 6:9-10, James 4:13-15(KJV)
Matthew 6:9-10:
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
James 4:13-15:
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Bible in One Year: Isaiah 48-50, Luke 4:14-37
MESSAGE:
Because God is the creator of all things in heaven and on earth, He holds supreme authority over everything, and He does whatever pleases Him (Psalm 135:6). His desire is that every creature in heaven and on earth should do His will. The will of God is God’s plan and purpose for each entity in His creation at any given time. Only those who have submitted themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ can readily do God’s will from their heart (Psalm 40:8). There is only one person on earth who knows the will of God at any particular time and 1 Corinthians 2:11 reveals that person:
“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”
Therefore, anyone who does not have the Holy spirit dwelling in him or her can neither know nor be submissive to the will God (1 Corinthians 2:14, Romans 8:7). Even if such people attend church meetings and worship service, they will still find the word of God and the lifestyle of His kingdom questionable, burdensome and even offensive.
Whenever an unconverted person is confronted with the will of God as revealed through His words, an antagonistic tension develops in their heart, which the conviction of the Holy Spirit works to douse. Because the corrupt carnal nature of man sees itself as the master of the universe, human beings love to exercise their freewill over everything, including the forces of nature and even God’s divine power. This has led some people to erroneously see the power of the human freewill as being superior to God’s divine authority. However, children of God do not walk in this folly. As children of God, we recognize that the exercise of freewill outside the will of God is false freedom which leads to slavery and captivity to worldly pleasures, addictions, pride, inordinate ambition, immortality, and the like. These are the very same things that Jesus sacrificed so much to deliver us from. Therefore, we submit our freewill to God in the process of discovering and following God’s purpose for our lives. Any exercise of freedom that gives a person the liberty to live recklessly without due consideration for divine purpose and life after death is actually the freedom of fools. God’s will for His children is always good and in their best interest (Jeremiah 29:11). It is the essence of life and the only way by which we can fulfill our destiny. You can continually know God’s will for your life by discerning it in the place of prayer (Ephesians 5:17, Colossians 1:9). Your Heavenly Father expects you to ensure that His will be done in your life, family, church and community (Matthew 6:10). Are you doing this?
Prayer Point:
Father, I submit myself anew to the Lordship of Your Spirit. Please let Your will be done in my life in Jesus’ Name.
Wednesday Hymn 4: Trust And Obey
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.
Chorus:
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 smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or 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 blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the alter we lay;
For the favor He shows,
For the joy He bestows,
Are from 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 Heaven 10 October 2018 Wednesday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 10 October 2018 Wednesday Daily Devotional.
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Open Heaven 9 October 2018 – Beware of Defeatist Prayers
by dailyd | Oct 9, 2018 | Open Heavens
Topic: Beware of Defeatist Prayers
Memorise: “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.”– Job 2:9
Read: Judges 16:24-31(KJV)
24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.
25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.
27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.
28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.
31 Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.
Bible in One Year: Isaiah 45-47, Luke 3:23-4:13
MESSAGE:
Prayer was established by God as a means of dialogue between Himself and His covenant people. Our Lord Jesus Christ engaged in prayer in His lifetime and also taught His disciples how to pray (Matthew 14:23, Matthew 6:9-13). As His disciples today, we pray with the assurance of His promise in Matthew 21:22, which says:
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
The fact that our Lord engaged in all night prayer shows how significant prayer is (Luke 6:12). In Matthew 17:21, He revealed to us that some challenges in life may not be overcome without fervent prayers and fasting, God’s attitude and response to prayer differs based on the identity of the person praying. 1 Peter 3:12 says:
“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
Based on this verse of the scripture, only those who are in right standing with God should expect answers to their prayers. If you have not received the gift of righteousness which comes from being born again, I implore you to give your life to Jesus today. I pray that every request you make to God as from today shall be answered by fire in Jesus Name.
Despite the obvious power of prayer and the various examples of answered prayer in the Bible, certain circumstances threaten our very existence and shake the foundation of our faith, causing us to render defeatist prayer to God. A defeatist prayer is the kind of prayer made with an expectation of imminent failure, assumption of hopelessness and a resignation to fate. Defeatist prayers carry a belief that God cannot intervene in the situation at hand. May you never doubt the ability of God to save you in the time of trouble in Jesus’ Name. In Job 2:9, Job’s case got so bad that he was given a defeatist option of cursing God and choosing death. Similarly, after great exploits for God, followed by victories and celebrations, Elijah’s life was threatened by a wicked queen called Jezebel. He became so distressed that he prayed this defeatist prayer in 1 Kings 19:4:
“…It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.”
In like manner, after the Lord departed from Samson, he lost everything, including his eyesight, and he began to grind corn for his enemies in captivity. This situation forced him to pray a defeatist prayer in Judges 16:30, saying “let me die with my enemies.” Irrespective of what you are passing through, I encourage you to never render a defeatist prayer to God. Although it might not be easy, remember that your faith is toughened when it passes through fire. Therefore, have faith in God and hold on to Him. Please don’t ever give up on God!
Action Point:
Father, please don’t let my faith fail in the day of adversity in Jesus’ Name.
Tuesday Hymn 10: My Faith Looks Up To Thee.
1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!
Open Heaven 9 October 2018 Tuesday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 9 October 2018 Tuesday Daily Devotional.
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Open Heaven 8 October 2018 – Offences
by dailyd | Oct 8, 2018 | Open Heavens
Topic: Offences
Memorise: “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”– Matthew 18:7
Read: Matthew 18:1-7 (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.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Bible in One Year: Isaiah 43-44, Luke 3:7-22
MESSAGE:
Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke in very strong terms against offences in today’s Bible reading. I therefore believe it is a wise thing for us to understand what they are and try to avoid them. Offence is a biblical term which refers to an obstruction lying on a pathway over which one may stumble. It is anything that hinders or tends to trip one up in the course of living a righteous life. A hindrance in this regard often stands for temptations to sin. One source of offences that was mentioned by the Lord in His sermon s is the cravings of our body (Matthew 18:8-9). Another source which He also mentioned are the people we interact with on a day to day basis (Matthew 18:7, Romans 16:17). The Lord made it clear that a life without any obstacle, hindrance, stumbling block or temptation is impossible, but that anyone who places obstacle in other people’s path or who leads others to sin is already cursed by God (Luke 17:1). Jesus declared that great sorrow awaits them, so that it would have been better if they were not born. All those who are behind your problems in life shall run into the wrath of the Almighty God in Jesus’ Name.
Some people have mastered the art of setting traps for others, and they themselves have become a living trap, supporting anything that ensnares or hinders people from pleasing God and deriving satisfaction from causing people to stumble. They ensnare unsuspecting and ignorant people, and mislead innocent and immature Christians into fatal errors that lead to hell. Greedy for money, power and fame, they consciously build an army of loyal followers in order to exert their influence on them. They falsely appear as saints and subtly present another “gospel” that is completely different from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their message is built on human wisdom and understanding but carefully wrapped in a garb of spiritually. They have a warped understanding of the Bible, which they present as new revelations from God or “prophetic preaching”. Their message of easy-going Christianity has led many people into worldly lifestyles and complacency in holy living. Through their activities, many have missed the high mark of God’s calling. You will notice that some of these offenders are experienced pastors who are knowledgeable in the things of God but deliberately mislead others. Therefore, be warned about the existence of such characters within the Church of God. Watch carefully to prevent yourself from falling into their trap. I pray that the rod of the wicked one shall not fall upon your portion, and you will not be led away from the presence of God in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point:
Father, please grant me grace to perceive offences and live above them in Jesus’ Name.
Monday Hymn 15: Nearer My God To Thee
1. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
3. There let me see the sight, an open Heaven;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
Open Heaven 8 October 2018 Monday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 8 October 2018 Monday Daily Devotional.
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Open Heaven 7 October 2018 – The Best Time to Sow
by dailyd | Oct 7, 2018 | Open Heavens
Topic: The Best Time to Sow
Memorise: “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.”- Genesis 26:12
Read: Genesis 26:12-14 (KJV)
12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.
Bible in One Year: Isaiah 41-42, Luke 2:41-3:6
MESSAGE:
Any farmer who wants to reap a bountiful harvest knows that sowing is a specialised act. In other words, you don’t expect a great harvest when you sow at a time of your own choosing and in a haphazard manner. After soil preparation, sowing is often the next and most important step taken by a farmer in anticipation of harvest. The principles of sowing that govern the physical realm are also applicable in the spiritual realm Ecclesiastes 3:2 tells us that there is a right time, which also is the best time, for sowing. Good farmers know very well that the planting of crops is a major event, and its timing depends on the type of seed to be sown. Some factors that determine the right time to sow include the season or time of the year, sunshine and clouds, length of day and night, rainfall pattern and soil fertility. Sowing in the time of famine, being a time of drought, is a ridiculous thing to do, to say the least. Nevertheless, for Isaac in today’s Bible reading, it was the right time, and he experienced the miracle of a hundredfold harvest. His case is a classic example of doing the ridiculous to produce the miraculous. Just as it happened to Isaac, I pray that as you sow into God’s kingdom, you will experience returns in hundred fold in Jesus’ Name.
When is the best time to sow into God’s kingdom? The best time to sow is when you are born again and living in total obedience to the will of God. It is when the source of your livelihood is clean and your way of life is pure, such that you can lift up holy hands to God in adoration and worship (Psalm 24:3-5). It is when curses have been removed, devourers rebuked, cankerworms destroyed and contrary circumstances have been turned around to work in your favor. If for any reason you have missed it somehow and your life does not fit these descriptions, it is never too late with God. You can retrace your steps back home to God for a new beginning- a new beginning of peace, progress and bountiful harvest. Thankfully, it is still the season for sowing, and there is still time to sow righteousness and obedience now, before you face God’s law of harvest based on your deeds (Romans 2:6). It is yet a sunny day, the weather is favorable, and the timing is right. You can set your life on the right path by sowing righteousness, mercy and favor today. Invest into God’s kingdom today and reap a hundredfold in eternity. The best seed you can sow is the seed of your life. Invest your time, money and energy into soul winning activities today and watch as things will begin to work in your favor. If you are busy doing God’s business, He will also respond by going the extra mile to take care of your family and business.
Prayer Point:
Father, please let my contribution to the expansion of Your kingdom produce hundredfold returns for me in Jesus’ Name.
Sunday Hymn 6: A New Thing
(Tune: There Shall Be Showers of Blessing)
1. We will soon shout Halleluiah
Because God will do new things
Sinners will be forgiven
Prodigals will come home soon.
Chorus:
Shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
Rivers in desert now flowing
Hallelujah to our king.
2. We will soon shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
Sickness and sorrow will be gone
Bondage will be forgotten.
3. We will soon shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
The barren will be faithful soon
Failure will be forgotten.
4. We will soon shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
Poverty will be forgotten
Stagnancy will soon be gone.
5. We will soon shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
To all miracles are given
There shall be celebrations
6. We will soon shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
Many will have testimonies
Of prayer answered fully.
7. We will soon shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
One of us will chase a thousand
Two will conquer ten thousand
8. We will soon shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
Songs of praises we will sing
Hallelujah to our King.
Open Heaven 7 October 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 7 October 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional.
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Open Heaven 6 October 2018 – He is Right Beside You
by dailyd | Oct 6, 2018 | Open Heavens
Topic: He is Right Beside You
Memorise: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”- Isaiah 41:10
Read: Isaiah 43:1-5 (KJV)
1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
Bible in One Year: Isaiah 38-40, Luke 2:2-40
MESSAGE:
As mortals, it is natural to look around us for solutions whenever problems arise. Only a few people look to God first during such trying times. When trials and difficulties come our way, we mostly look to our family members or friends for solutions. Imagine how bad God feels whenever you have a problem and He doesn’t even come to your mind first. Because God gave us freewill, He cannot force us to request or accept help from Him. No matter how big, small or strange our problems may be, God has the solution to all of them. When a little child falls and bruises his or her knee, in most cases, the first person that child runs to is the mother. The fact that the child thinks of his or her mother first shows the bond that exit between them. As His children, God expects us to run to Him with whatever problem we have, no matter how small or trivial it may seem. The bond of love that exists between us and Him is what should drive us to think of Him first whenever a problem arises. When we don’t think of Him first at such times, we are saying to Him that this bond of love is not there.
Many times, we undo ourselves by trying to solve our own problems. We don’t even realize the immense abilities our Father has and His undying love for us. If we knew, we won’t be wasting our time and energy looking elsewhere for help. When I was a child, on one eventful day, my father was sitting outside and enjoying the cool breeze while I played football. After playing for a little while, I kicked the ball and it got stuck on the roof of the house. Because I was small, I had to move back some distance from the house in order to see the ball. Whenever I tried to get the ball down with a stick, I failed because I couldn’t see the ball when I got close to the house. I went back and forth like this until I got tired. All the while, my father just sat there as if he didn’t know what was going on. Tired and exhausted, I turned to him for help. His response was surprising. He said he was wondering if I didn’t see him there all the time while I was struggling. He stood up and hit the ball off the roof in one swipe of his hands. God is right beside you, watching as you struggle with your issues. If you don’t call Him to help, it means you don’t need Him. Be wise and hand over your problems to the Lord who made heaven and earth.
However, note that you cannot ask someone to help you if you don’t have a relationship with that fellow, and the probability that he or she will help you depends on how cordial your relationship is. When you have a good relationship with God, the moment you cry out to Him for anything, He will come running to you, and He will answer you according to His perfect will.
Action Point:
Next time a challenge or difficulty arises, look first to God!
Saturday Hymn 11: O God Our Help In Ages Past
1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
2. Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
3. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
4. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op’ning day.
6. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.
Open Heaven 6 October 2018 Saturday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 6 October 2018 Saturday Daily Devotional.
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OPEN HEAVEN 5 OCTOBER 2018 – REBUKE IS ESSENTIAL
by dailyd | Oct 5, 2018 | Open Heavens
Topic: Rebuke is Essential
Memorise: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”- 2 Timothy 4:2
Read: Galatians 2:11-17 (KJV)
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Bible in One Year: Isaiah 36-37, Luke 2:1-21
MESSAGE:
Preaching is the act of proclaiming the good news in the word of God. It generally involves the delivery of some truth related to God to an audience for whom the message is prepared. To preach therefore, is to declare the word of God or to publicly present the good news. Preaching is expressed through proclamation, prophesy, declaration or teaching. It includes the proclamation of the way of salvation to unbelievers, and the delivery of instructions on faith and spiritual worship to believers. In 2 Timothy 4:2, the Holy Spirit indicates that rebuke is an integral part of preaching the good news.
To rebuke or reprove is to make a verbal expression of blame that is usually not easy for an individual to accept or accommodate. However, it is an essential part of the gospel. For this reason, the Holy Spirit said in Proverbs 27:5:
“Open rebuke is better than secret love.”
The word of God gives examples of both divine and human rebuke. Sometimes, God issues rebukes directly, but more often than not, He does so through His servants. Jesus Christ taught His disciples the perfect way to issue rebukes, and He taught His audience how to handle people who commit errors, without condemning them. God has the absolute right to rebuke His children who stray from the path of righteousness. He does this sometimes by speaking directly to such people through dreams and revelations, but at other times, He chooses to speak through His ministers. For instance, God used Prophet Samuel to rebuke King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:12-26, He used Prophet Nathan to rebuke King David in 2 Samuel 12:1-12, and Prophet Elijah rebuked King Ahab in 1 Kings 18:18. Furthermore, Jesus Christ rebuked Peter, one of His disciples, in Mark 8:33, and He also rebuked demons and their master the devil. Matthew 17:18 says:
“And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.”
In today’s Bible reading, when Apostle Peter and some other Jewish brethren like Barnabas engaged in discrimination and preference, Paul rebuked them sharply. We should not shy away from rebuke because when it comes from the Spirit, it convicts those who hear it. As children of God, we ought to sharply rebuke and correct visible faults on issues relating to discipline, dressing, punctuality and commitment to duties, interpersonal relationships, sanitation, and our general attitude to worship.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please don’t rebuke me in Your wrath, and give me a heart that is yielded to correction in Jesus’ Name.
FRIDAY HYMN 2: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
1. I Need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Chorus:
I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee,
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh bless me now, my Saviour;
I come to Thee.
2. I need Thee every hour;
Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh.
3. I need Thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
4. I need Thee every hour;
Teach me Thy will,
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfil.
5. I need Thee every hour,
Most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.
Open Heaven 5 October 2018 Friday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 5 October 2018 Friday Daily Devotional.
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Open Heaven 4 October 2018 – Instant Restoration
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