Faith Food Devotional

September 8
OVERCOMER

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony . . . . — REVELATION 12:11

Because Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), he will try to exercise authority over you in this life. He will try to dominate you. He will try to keep you from walking in your redemptive rights. But you can overcome the devil every time, no matter what the test. You can overcome him because of the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony! You simply have to know what the blood has bought for you: deliverance from the power (authority) of darkness (Satan), and translation (by virtue of the New Birth) into the kingdom of light. Then you have to add your testimony to that knowledge. Stand your ground. Confess what the blood of the Lamb has wrought. Thank God, there is power in the blood! But the power in the blood won’t just work automatically — you have to add your testimony to it.

Confession

I am an overcomer. I overcome the devil in every confrontation; he never overcomes me. I overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of my testimony.

DAILY MANNA
Thursday, 08 September, 2016

Repentance That Counts

Text: EZRA 10:6-8

KeyVerse: "Then Ezra rose up from be- fore the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned be- cause of the transgression of them that had been carried away" (Ezra 10:6).

Conversion means separation from the course and custom of the world, and devoting one's life to the conduct of the word of God. 

It is a complete turnaround and return to the centre of His will and original convictions from which mankind have deviated.

The children of Israel in captivity had, before this time, mixed with the people of the land, adopted their customs and inter- married, in contradiction to divine directives.

To this, Ezra became deeply concerned and influenced the people to turn to their original convictions.

Our weeping for other people's sins has the capacity to break down those who otherwise would have continued shamelessly in their backslidden state.

When Ezra, a scribe, scholar and man in authority under the king, so deeply lamented public corruption, the people concluded that they were indeed very grievous.

This drew sincere tears and heart-felt repentance from them.

What a great influence the good examples of superiors have on their subordinates.

The case is plain; as Christians, we must influence others to undo what has been done amiss.

Nothing less than this is true conversion.

Refusing to comply exposes the errant to severe consequences.

Realization with heart-felt remorse and godly sorrow for sin is the powerful key to repentance and full restoration.

No matter how far one may have gone from the centre- point of the perfect will of God, He is willing to have him reconciled to Him.

Refusal to amend the evil ways may lead to eternal exclusion from God's favour.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Revelling in sin is a waiting disaster.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 105 - 106

Open Heavens 8 September 2016:- Do You Need Deliverance?

Open Heavens 8 September 2016:- Do You Need Deliverance?

DO YOU NEED DELIVERANCE? – Thursday September 8^th 2016

Memorise: And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17

Read: James 5:13-15, (KJV)

¹³ Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

¹⁴ Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

¹⁵ And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 29:24-31:40, Psalms 52

MESSAGE

Deliverance implies the rescue or liberation of a person from danger, suffering, bondage and sin. It also indicates freedom from people, forces or circumstances that are overwhelming. Sometimes, deliverance involves the expulsion of an evil spirit or spirits from a person. Deliverance focuses on captives, prisoners of war, slaves, debtors, suspected criminals, deportees, exiles, condemned sinners, and the oppressed. These people are often treated with great cruelty and indignity. Another focus of deliverance includes individuals dominated by the influence of a demon. Deliverance should be taken seriously; many are presently suffering due to ignorance of the influence of the devil in their lives.

Being a victim is especially pathetic because it is quite difficult and practically impossible for anyone in this situation to make any progress in life or be delivered by self-help. Consequently, experiences of stagnancy, failure, fruitlessness, sickness, misfortune, etc., are possible indications that deliverance is required. I prophecy into the life of a user of this devotional that is experiencing any of these evil conditions, you shall be delivered today in Jesus’ name. Incidentally, hope for deliverance is certain because there is a powerful Saviour and Deliverer, His name is Jesus. All power in Heaven and on earth belongs to Him. Every person and circumstance of life is subject to His authority, and demons are powerless before Him. Matthew 17:18 says; 

“And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.”

At the Word of Jesus or at the mention of His name by a disciple, demons flew out and people were delivered. Once again, I decree in the name of Jesus, receive deliverance from every form of bondage now. Matthew 10:1 says;

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”

Do you need deliverance of any kind? Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, make every effort to avoid self-destructive behaviours of immorality and sin. Then seek a true disciple of Jesus with delegated power and authority over demons, who will call upon the name of Jesus for your deliverance. Intensive prayers with a word of command will dislodge the stronghold of the enemy in your life today in the name of Jesus.

Prayer Point

Father, please set me free from every bondage of the devil today in Jesus’ name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye

Above Only Daily Devotional
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Thursday, September 8

Progressing Unto Perfection

Proverbs 4:18, Psalm 119:105, Hebrews 12:12-13 (GNB)
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. *Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. *Lift up your tired hands, then, and strengthen your trembling knees! Keep walking on straight paths, so that the lame foot may not be disabled, but instead be healed.
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God wants to bring fruitfulness and perfection into every area of our lives, Psa.138:8. In return, He wants us to continually fellowship with Him and diligently walk in His light. The light of God here refers to the ways of God and the things that God reveals to us or leads us into by His Spirit. Our fellowship with God is what empowers us to consistently receive God's light and to walk in His ways.

Our continuous walking in the right path has a cleansing and healing effect upon our lives. John 1:5-7 says, this then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Our 3rd text above reassures us that as we walk along a straight path, whatever may be lame in our lives will become healed. You may not presently be all that God wants you to be in certain areas of your life but if you will stay on the path of the just and keep moving forward, God will bring His divine perfection into your life. Do not be discouraged. Your light will shine brighter and brighter unto a perfect day. Keep receiving and applying God's Word to your life, and keep applying that relevant knowledge to various areas of your life. Your progress and perfection will continue to grow and manifest.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I receive your grace today to remain in the path of the just and to keep walking and making progress in the light of your Word.

BIBLE IN A YEAR READING PLAN: EZEKIEL 40-41

Empowered to Occupy Till He Comes...

Growing Up In Christ. Part 1

Deacon Adekunle Adenuga

The Inevitability For Spiritual Growth

Luke 2:39-40, 51-52 KJV

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
(40) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
(51) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
(52) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Growing up is a process. The will of our Father God is that we grow up. Spiritual growth is a responsibility that every believer must live up to because the level of our spiritual growth determines the extent of our spiritual maturity. Without spiritual maturity we will not be able to fully appropriate and enjoy our inheritance in Christ.

From the opening Scripture, Jesus as a child grew up [increase / enlarge] to become the Son. Jesus was born as the Child but He has to grow up to become the Son.
Isaiah 9:6 KJV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Jesus was born a child, though He was given as a Son. Then it becomes His responsibility to grow up from childhood to Sonship. For it was the Son Jesus that was to do the work of the Father. Therefore, He became strong [empower / strengthen] in spirit. The Incarnate Word  the God manifested in the flesh  has to grow up and become strong. The young Child was growing up and being strengthened in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace [favour] of God was upon Him.

This shows that as a born again child of God, you ought to grow up in your spirit man through the Word and be strong in your spirit through the power of the Holy Spirit. God wants you to grow up. God desires that you go through the process of growing up. He desires that you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. He desires that you be filled with all of His fullness. He desires that you know and appropriate (take possession of) your rights and privileges in Christ Jesus.

Until you grow up spiritually, you would not be able to fulfill Gods purpose and plan concerning your life. 1 Samuel 3: 19-4: 1. It will be good for believers to understand that without growing up spiritually, exercising dominion on the earth will be difficult. If Jesus Christ our Lord has a need to grow up, then we must grow up.

John 13:15 KJV For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Jesus Christ the Lord is our example. You are to follow Him. You are to imitate Him. You are to copy and imitate God as His dear children. Therefore, if our Lord grew up in order to become the Son to fulfill the will of the Father, then we ought to do as He has done.

1 Peter 2:2 KJV As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

The Bible says you should desire earnestly the sincere, unadulterated milk of the Word, so that you may grow through it. You are to grow up through the ministry of the Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now growing up is a choice. You will have to choose and make a decision to grow up. No one can grow up for you. You have to grow up for yourself. The Scripture say YOU grow up. It is your responsibility to do your growing up. The Word of God is the nourishment recommended for spiritual growth.

Ephesians 4: 11 say the Lord Jesus Christ has given gifts to the church. These ministry gifts  the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers  are given to train and equip you for growth. Because the grown ups are the ones to do the work of service (ministry) for the building up of the body of Christ. Through these ministry gifts and the Word, you grow up. The Word of God is the spirit food necessary for your spiritual growth and maturity. As a believer, you are to live by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Without the Word, there can be no spiritual growth. A wordless Christian is a spiritually stunted, misfit believer.

Luke 4:16 KJV And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Now, Jesus Christ is the Word of God. According to Luke 4: 16, Jesus Christ  the Word  stood up to read the Scripture. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: So He was brought up like us in a particular place as you and I were also brought up in a particular place. He was and is the Jesus Christ of Nazareth. As a child, He was taught to go into the synagogue every Sabbath day. As a child, He was taught how to read the Scriptures. This reveals that going into synagogue and reading the Scriptures was part of His childhood life. Hence, He grew up and was filled with wisdom.

According to His custom, Jesus Christ our Lord always went into the synagogue and read the Scriptures. I saw a thing here: if Jesus Christ was used to reading Scriptures in the synagogue, it connotes that he did read the Scriptures while at home. It reveals that Jesus was a diligent student of the Scriptures. Therefore, the child Jesus grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on Him. Jesus grew up to become the Son. If you have to grow up, then it is necessary that you become a diligent student of the Word. If you have to grow up, then it is necessary that you desire earnestly the sincere, unadulterated milk of the Word. It is a must for a Christian to grow if he wills to take his rightful position in the family of God, or else he will not be different from a slave in the house. Galatians 4: 1. [Begging / complaining / murmuring / crying are a slave mentality].

It Is Growing Up Not Growing Old.

2 Corinthians 4:16 KJV For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

In the kingdom of God, we do not grow old, but we do grow up. The inward man  the recreated spirit  belongs to the class of God, and he does not grow old; but he is renewed day by day. He is always growing up. The family of God is for the grown-ups, not for the growing old. The inheritance of the kingdom is for the spiritual grown-ups, the sons of God. Those who are lead by the Spirit of God these are the sons of God. The Bible did not say, as many as are lead by the Spirit of God are the children of God, but are the sons of God. The word son is from the Greek word huios (derivative of another Greek word huiothesia meaning the placing as a son). The Scripture says that God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying Abba Father because we are sons. A son is an heir of God. Romans 8: 14-17.

In the kingdom of God, it is not a matter of how old you are, but how up you are. The Bible declares God has blessed us with all spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Where are the heavenly places in Christ? It is far above all. We have been raised up together with Christ in the heavenly places. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; therefore, we must grow up for us to be able to partake of the inheritance of God in Christ. You see, Jesus Christ grew up to become the Son. He had to learn the process of growing up to fulfill the purpose of His Father. Until we make a choice to grow up, we will not be able to fulfill Gods purpose and come into His Fullness. Hebrews 5: 8-9.

Isaiah 11:1 KJV And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

A Branch shall grow thats talking about the Christ Jesus. Jesus grew up so you have to grow up. He is the vine and we are branches. If the vine grows, then the branches of the vine must also grow in the same vein, or else they die. The life and water that flows in the vine must flow in the branches, or else the branches will die off. As a branch of the vine, you have to grow to be fruitful. Until you experience spiritual growth, you cannot be spiritually fruitful. Spiritual fruitfulness answers to spiritual growth. Spiritual growth involves consistent connection to the Word of God.

The intensity of your connection to the Word of God determines the upward-ness of your growing up in Christ. The upward-ness of your growing up influences the multiplication of your fruitfulness. Growing up enables you to come into the fullness of God. Growing up is increasing. Gods will is for you to increase in the knowledge of His Word; to increase in the love of God; to increase in His wisdom and to increase in all of His grace. 2 Corinthians 9: 8. Remember: when you stop growing, you start dying.

Gods will for you in Christ is to be productive and be fruitful. That requires you grow up, without which you will be barren and unfruitful.  

Above Only Daily Devotional
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Wednesday, September 7

When God is Your Strength

Psalm 84:4-7 (GNB)
How happy are those who live in your Temple, always singing praise to you. How happy are those whose strength comes from you, who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion. As they pass through the dry valley of Baca, it becomes a place of springs; the autumn rain fills it with pools. They grow stronger as they go; they will see the God of gods on Zion.
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In John 7:37 and 38, Jesus said that when we believe in Him and we come and drink from Him, rivers of living water will flow out from our inside. By rivers of living water, He was referring to the divine grace and abilities of the Holy Spirit. We drink from Jesus by exercising faith in Him and by fellowshipping with Him. When we fellowship with God, we stir up His life and resurrection power that is at work on the inside of us.

By the divine grace and abilities of the Holy Spirit, we will find ourselves knowing and being able to do that which we would ordinarily have been unable to do. Things that are difficult or impossible for others will be easy and possible for us. We will become fountains of life wherever we find ourselves. Joy and praise will continue to emanate from our hearts and mouths and others will rejoice and praise God because of our lives. Our lives will keep advancing from strength to strength and from glory to glory.

Even as we are passing through dead valleys, we will turn those valleys into springs of life. This is what made Paul and Silas turn the prison they were placed in into a Holy Ghost revival meeting where souls were eventually saved, Acts 16:22-34. Dead things around us will receive life and they will work again. Joseph caused everything in Potiphar's house to begin to function again, Gen.39:3. Jacob turned Laban's livestock business around, Gen.30:27-30. You also will turn things and the lives of people around with God's life and strength.

PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God for His joy and strength to be stirred up in you today so that you will give hope and life unto others.

BIBLE IN A YEAR READING PLAN: EZEKIEL 38-39

Empowered to Occupy Till He Comes...

Faith Food Devotional

September 7

TRANSLATED

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [able] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power [authority] of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood . . . . — COLOSSIANS 1:12-14

Darkness is the kingdom of Satan. And in that word “darkness” is everything Satan is. Light is the Kingdom of God. By means of the New Birth, you were translated out of the kingdom of darkness — and into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son, the Kingdom of God, and the kingdom of light. Our Heavenly Father has fitted His children (or made them “meet”) to partake of an inheritance — “the inheritance of the saints in light”! Part of your inheritance is that God has delivered you out of Satan’s authority of darkness, and He has now translated you into the kingdom of His dear Son! God has made you meet — He has delivered you — He has translated you. Thank God, you can partake of your inheritance now. Don’t relegate it to the future.

Confession

Thank You, Father. You have made me able to partake of my inheritance now. I am redeemed. I am delivered from the authority of Satan now. I am translated into the kingdom of Your dear Son now. I am a citizen of the kingdom of light. I live in the light. I walk in the light. I am a saint in the light!

Wise People Ask Questions and Then Listen

BY RICK WARREN — SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

“People’s thoughts can be like a deep well, but someone with understanding can find the wisdom there” (Proverbs 20:5 NCV).

If you want to be wise, you’re going to have to learn how to ask wise questions.

Proverbs 20:5 says, “People’s thoughts can be like a deep well, but someone with understanding can find the wisdom there”(NCV). In other words, everybody’s got something to teach you. It’s like deep water in a well, and you’ve got to draw it out of them.

How do you draw the wisdom out of every person? By learning to ask smart questions.

As I’ve traveled around the world, I’ve asked questions of taxi cab drivers and prime ministers, and they’ve both taught me. You can learn from anybody if you know the right questions to ask!

One of the things I’ve learned is that I have never learned anything while I’m talking. If my mouth is moving, I’m not learning. You don’t learn when you’re talking. You learn when you’re listening. So you’ve got to learn to listen.

I’ve done an awful lot of interviews over the years, and I’ve noticed that the interview shows have changed. They’re no longer about the guest. They’re about the interviewer. The whole goal of the interviewer is to draw attention to himself.

I long for the old Larry King days. I didn’t always agree with Larry King, but I liked that he would ask a question and then let you talk. He realized that people weren’t going to listen to Larry King. They tuned in to listen to all the fascinating guests that he had and learn from them.

Larry King once said that in an interview show, if the host is talking 50 percent of the time, something is terribly wrong. The host should listen the most and talk the least. A good TV host sets up the question and then just listens.

You can learn from anybody, but you’ve got to be willing to ask questions and then listen. That’s the mark of a wise man or woman.

Talk It Over

• Try to spend a whole day focusing on listening rather than talking. What difference does it make?
• What do you communicate to someone when you ask him or her a question and then listen to the answer with focus and interest?
• What would be an example of wise question?

She Did What She Could

September 7, 2016

Read: Mark 14:3–9 | Bible in a Year: Proverbs 1–2; 1 Corinthians 16

She did what she could. Mark 14:8

When her friends say thoughtless or outrageous things on social media, Charlotte chimes in with gentle but firm dissent. She respects the dignity of everyone, and her words are unfailingly positive.

A few years ago she became Facebook friends with a man who harbored anger toward Christians. He appreciated Charlotte’s rare honesty and grace. Over time his hostility melted. Then Charlotte suffered a bad fall. Now housebound, she fretted over what she could do. About that time her Facebook friend died and then this message arrived from his sister: “[Because of your witness] I know he’s now experiencing God’s complete and abiding love for him.” 

How can you show God's love to others today?

During the week in which Christ would be killed, Mary of Bethany anointed Him with expensive perfume (John 12:3; Mark 14:3). Some of those present were appalled, but Jesus applauded her. “She has done a beautiful thing to me,” He said. “She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial” (Mark 14:6–8).

“She did what she could.” Christ’s words take the pressure off. Our world is full of broken, hurting people. But we don’t have to worry about what we can’t do. Charlotte did what she could. So can we. The rest is in His capable hands.

Lord, help us not to define our self-worth by what we do for You, but by what You have done for us. Show us how we can show Your love to others.

For further study, read Being Jesus Online at discoveryseries.org/q0737.

Do thy duty, that is best; leave unto the Lord the rest. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

INSIGHT:

Bethany, the location featured in today’s article, was a village on the slopes of the Mount of Olives less than two miles from Jerusalem. Pilgrims traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem, a journey of twenty-four kilometers or about fifteen miles, would pass through Bethany. Three famous siblings resided there: Lazarus, Martha, and Mary (John 11:1–2). Early in Jesus’s ministry, Martha opened her home in Bethany to Him (Luke 10:38). Jesus would stay there whenever he was in Jerusalem to teach or to celebrate the Passover. During the Passion Week, Jesus spent His last few nights—probably Palm Sunday to Wednesday—with the three siblings (Matt. 21:17; Mark 11:11, 19).

Open Heavens 7 September 2016:- He Shall Surely Return

Open Heavens 7 September 2016:- He Shall Surely Return

HE SHALL SURELY RETURN – Wednesday September 7^th 2016

Memorise: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11

Read: Acts 1:8-11, (KJV)

⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

⁹ And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

¹⁰ And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

¹¹ Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Bible in one year: Jeremiah 27:1-29:23, Psalms 51

MESSAGE

One of the chief messages of the Bible is that Jesus Christ will return visibly and in glory at the end of history. First to raise the dead, judge the world, and then destroy all evil and opposition to God. He will thereafter consummate His kingdom. Christians are encouraged to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ with eagerness and joy. Several passages of the Old Testament Bible predicted the second coming of Jesus, Daniel 7:13-14 says:

“…one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven…And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

Also, several passages of the New Testament Bible foretold the second coming of Jesus. In Acts 1:11, two angels announced the second coming of Christ by saying:

“… Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

However, because at least two thousand years have passed without the actual fulfilment of this prophecy, unbelievers and Christians alike are beginning to doubt a the reality or possibility of rapture or the second coming of Jesus Christ. Brethren, do not be deceived, JESUS IS COMING BACK AGAIN. This truth is very important to the continued relevance of the Church of God in general and that of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in particular. Focusing on the second coming of Jesus Christ should be our duty, in order to realign the worldview and mindset of Christians and unbelievers alike with the Word of God. The matter is settled in Heaven and the earth has witnessed the fulfilment of almost all the signs of the end time as recorded in the Word of God.

We are witnesses to the increased knowledge, false prophets, wars and rumours of wars, famines, and earthquakes, the re-gathering of the nation of Israel, man’s inhumanity to man extreme wickedness, and diverse forms of immorality. The second coming of Jesus will occur unexpectedly at God’s appointed time. Be warned, be watchful and be ready. 

Prayer Point

Father, please give me the grace not to get weary while waiting for Your second coming in Jesus’ name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye

To Become Wise, Spend Time with Wise People

BY RICK WARREN — SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

“Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer” (Proverbs 13:20 NCV).

Have you ever heard the old phrase, “If you want to soar with the eagles, you can’t run with the turkeys”?

If you’re going to be wise, you’ve got to get some wise people in your life.

You don’t need a lot of friends in life. You don’t need to be popular. You just need a few good friends who build you up, not tear you down, who are wise, not fools. If you hang around with fools, that’s what you become.

We always grow in community. You cannot grow to spiritual maturity by yourself. You could become a monk and move to the top of a mountain and spend your life in silence and reading books. You would grow in knowledge, but you wouldn’t grow in wisdom.

Why? Because wisdom is all about love. Wisdom shows up primarily in relationships. That’s why a lot of people have educational degrees, but their marriages are falling apart. They’re educated, but they’re not wise.

The Bible says in Proverbs 13:20, “Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer” (NCV).

If I stand on the edge of a stage, and I’m trying to pull you up while you’re trying to pull me down, which is easier to do? It’s always easier for somebody to pull you down than pull you up. People who pull you down are not your friends. Friends pull you up. Friends encourage you in your pursuit of godly wisdom by offering their own.

Do you have anybody in your life who is giving input for good on a regular basis? You need that kind of encouragement in your life if you want to be a wise person.

Talk It Over

• Who are the people who are closest to you?
• How are those people encouraging you in spiritual growth and wisdom? Or, how are they distracting you from learning to live wisely?
• Is it more important to you to have a lot of friends or a few, deep relationships? Why do you think this is so?

Above Only Daily Devotional
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Tuesday, September 6

Making God Your Strength

Psalm 27:1, Psalm 84:10-12
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? *A day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
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In our 1st text above, David referenced God as his 'light and his salvation.' Light brings hope and progress. It drives away darkness and fear. There are so many things that you can do and undo when there is light. That is how David perceived the presence and the favour of God. David so longed and desired a close and intimate relationship with God that he viewed his time of fellowship with God as a time to receive light and salvation for every area of his life. That is why his life was consistently filled with faith and not fear. God was his strength.

When the psalmist in our 2nd text above called God his 'sun and shield,' he was saying that in the same way both plant life and human beings depend on the light, heat and radiation of energy from the sun, our spiritual lives are wholly dependent on the radiation of love, grace and glory from God. This radiation that we receive in the spirit eventually translates into other areas of our lives to give us divine strength, victory, wholeness and prosperity. In the same way you would be displeased if the sun refuses to rise and shine in a day, you must not allow yourself to live any day of your life without fellowshipping with God.

A shield serves as a protector from danger. By calling God his shield, the psalmist was expressing his assurance of security and safety that came from his fellowship and intimacy with God. As you trust God and make Him your strength today, He will be your light, your salvation, your sun and your shield. You will be blessed indeed.

PRAYER FOCUS: Tell God how much you trust Him and receive the radiation of His light, salvation, His love, His grace and His glory.

BIBLE IN A YEAR READING PLAN: EZEKIEL 35-37

Empowered to Occupy Till He Comes...

Graded with Grace

September 6, 2016

Read: Romans 5:6–15 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 148–150; 1 Corinthians 15:29–58

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:8

My son’s blue eyes sparkled with excitement as he showed me a paper he had brought home from school. It was a math test, marked with a red star and a grade of 100 percent. As we looked at the exam, he said he had three questions left to answer when the teacher said time was up. Puzzled, I asked how he could have received a perfect score. He replied, “My teacher gave me grace. She let me finish the test although I had run out of time.”  

As my son and I discussed the meaning of grace, I pointed out that God has given us more than we deserve through Christ. We deserve death because of our sin (Rom. 3:23). Yet, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). We were unworthy, yet Jesus—sinless and holy—gave up His life so we could escape the penalty for our sin and one day live forever in heaven.

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Eternal life is a gift from God. It’s not something we earn by working for it. We are saved by God’s grace, through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8–9).

Dear God, Your undeserved favor has made it possible for us to be saved from our sin. You have shown us amazing grace. Thank You for
the gift You gave. Use me to tell others about You and what You have done.

Grace and mercy are unearned blessings.

INSIGHT:

A key word in Romans 5 is through. It is used seventeen times in this brief chapter. In today’s passage, we read that through Christ we have been saved from wrath (v. 9), been reconciled to God (vv. 10–11), and have reason to boast in God (v. 11). Christ is the mediator of our salvation (1 Tim. 2:5).

Tuesday September 6, 2016

Opt For His Guidance

-PSALM 48:1-14

Key Verse:

"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death" (Psalm 48:14).

The paths of life are a tangled web of attractions. They seek people's attention and suck them in, especially when such people are not careful enough to search for, and move in the right direction. Many therefore, live in the vain belief that they are doing the right things, only to be hit at the end with disappointment that all their efforts, strivings, accomplishments have been utterly meaningless; that they had gone on the wrong path and lived a worthless life. The Israelites were never oblivious of the need for guidance and a Guide. The almighty God was their benefactor. However, from time to time in their checkered history, they willfully went astray. Yet, each time they sought a change of course, the Lord was always there to show them the way. This psalm is written to extol the goodness of God in their lives. He was ever present with them, guiding them on the way to go. His presence provided them the security they needed, and brought salvation from their enemies. This was a cause of great joy for them. God was their defender. Many times, the city of Jerusalem was besieged by enemies. But after each battle, the Israelites habitually re-examine themselves and undertake an inspection tour of the city to strengthen its defences. At the end, they always praise God for the protection He provided them. They never ceased to marvel at His greatness. There is need to appreciate God for all His past dealings in our lives - for salvation, victory and provisions and also realize that we stand no chance of making meaningful progress in life unless we allow Him to guide us. Without Him, we would take wrong decisions that may have serious consequences. Whether in the area of marriage, career or day-to-day activities, we must make God our Guide.

Thought for the day: God does not lead astray.

Bible Reading in one Year: PSALM 92 - 100