Marriage Insight: Favorite Marriage Advice – Part Two

Marriage Insight: Favorite Marriage Advice – Part Two

Last week Cindy shared with you some of her all time favorite advice for marriage that she has gleaned over the years. This week I (Steve) have the honor of sharing with you a few of my favorites. Some of it will be directed specifically toward the guys. That’s because my passion is to help husbands love their wives in such a way that honors God.

Al Janssen, from his book, “The Marriage Masterpiece,” puts it this way: "One of the original purposes of marriage as God intended it in the Garden of Eden was to reflect his image. That means marriage is about something bigger than the two of us. Marriage is one of God’s primary means of speaking to the world, and the world takes notice when a man truly loves his wife the way ‘Christ loves his church.’"

Janssen went on to give us men how this looks in practical terms: "I have numerous opportunities every day to give up what I want to do and instead serve my wife. In this way, I glorify God because my sacrifice is a reflection of his heart and how he loves his bride. I’ve finally realized that my marriage is satisfying to the degree that I daily sacrifice myself for my wife’s good. What does that mean?

• It means biting my tongue when I’d rather defend myself against something she said.

• It means getting up in the middle of the night when a child cries rather than pretending I don’t hear anything.

• It means putting down my reading material and really listening when she wants to talk.

• It means taking over some chores when she’s got a hectic day.

• It means cleaning the kitchen Sunday evening rather than leaving the mess for her to face on Monday morning.

• It means that when I’m accidentally exposed to porn while channel surfing in a hotel room far from home, I shut off the TV because I won’t allow any impure thoughts to invade my marriage.”

I can tell you that when I started to practice Janssen’s principles in our marriage it transformed our marriage. One of the other principles that dramatically changed our marriage was when Cindy and I realized how important it was for us to have a “grace based marriage.” Dr. Tim Kimmel and his wife, Darcy, explain it this way:

“When people see a husband and wife relating to each other in a context of God’s grace, when they see us go to the foot of the cross when we’ve lost our way, when they see us still caring for each other when life has given us many reasons to walk out, the gospel is validated.  We may never know how much God’s grace rubs off of us onto others.  But it does.  When we take our spiritual purpose to heart, our sense of significance grows eternal muscles.  It’s what happens when we make it our priority to reflect God’s majesty through grace-filled marriages.” (From “Grace Filled Marriage”)

Marriage Insight: Favorite Marriage Advice

Marriage Insight: Favorite Marriage Advice

In this Insight, we're giving some of our favorite marriage advice (with more posted on our web site at: https://marriagemissions.com/favorite-marriage-advice/ . This week I will give my favorites; next week Steve will give his. We’d LOVE IT if you would post some of your favorites on the web site to help others. With that said, please prayerfully consider the following advice:

-- Before you marry: "Love convinces a couple that they are the greatest romance that has ever been, that no two people have ever loved as they do, and that they will sacrifice absolutely anything in order to be together. And then marriage asks them to prove it." (Mike Mason)

-- "Marriage is more than sharing a life together; it’s building a life together. What you do now is for both, & what is said now is for both. Your purpose is now is for the kingdom & giving glory to the image of God." (Norm Wright) "Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us & gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1)

-- Take care of your marriage relationship & it will take care of you: "It's a sad state of affairs when we take better care of our cars & houses than we do our marriages. We change the oil, fill the tank & periodically tune up our cars. We change light bulbs, wash windows, paint walls, unplug toilets, and re-roof our houses, but what do we do to maintain our marriage? The truth is: more damage is done than repairs are made. How important is your marriage? Is it more important to you than your car or your home? Are you willing to put in the time and energy it takes to prove to your partner how valuable the relationship truly is to you?" (Dr Steve Stephens)

-- Keep in mind: "Marriage can be wonderful. It can be deeply satisfying & mutually fulfilling. But if it becomes that, it is because both partners have paid a very high price over many years to make it that way. They will have died to selfishness a thousand times. They will have had countless difficult conversations. They will have endured sleepless nights and strained days. They will have prayed hundreds of prayers for wisdom and patience and courage and understanding. They will have said, 'I’m sorry' too many times to remember. They will have been stretched to the breaking point often enough to have learned that, unless Christ is at the center of both their lives, the odds for achieving marital satisfaction are very, very low." (Bill and Lynne Hybels)

-- As far as resolving marital conflict, note: “If we strive to seek the Light, rather than trying to be right, a lot of our marital problems will resolve themselves.” (Unknown) The “Light” referred to is Jesus. We are to put our energy into seeking Jesus & HIS ways—not in getting our own way.

-- "Marriage is for grown-ups. It is not for those that want to 'play' marriage." A great guideline is in the scripture in 1 Corinthians 13:11 where says, "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I reasoned like a child, I thought like a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." When you say, "I do" you are to say goodbye to acting in immature ways. Marriage is for GROWN-UPS.

-- When things go in an unhealthy direction in your marriage, remember: "You are not responsible for fixing your marriage. But you are responsible for doing what you can to make it better." (Sheila Wray Gregoire) "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18) Keep in mind: "The issue isn’t whether you fight…it's how you fight & how rich your stockpile of good feelings is about each other to weather difficulties and keep your attitude toward your partner positive." (Dr John Gottman)

I'm ending with some of the best advice ever given for we interact as husband and wife: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:29-32)

May God help us all to grow our marriages to reveal & reflect Christ ~ Cindy & Steve Wright

Marriage Insights: Improving Your Marriage Relationship

Marriage Insights: Improving Your Marriage Relationship

This is a simple Marriage Insight, where we’re sharing some thoughts from one of our favorite books, “Romance in Real Life” written by Ellyn Sanna. Unfortunately, this book is no longer being published. But we love the thoughts written in it concerning growing the marriage relationship. So, here are a few. Please prayerfully read & consider how you can apply them to your marriage:

“Make your marriage your number one priority after your relationship with God. It’s too easy to let our marriages fall into the background. We would never say our marriages weren’t important—& yet we act as though they are not.” …“Being married isn’t a decision you make once & then be done with it. The wedding ceremony doesn’t magically transform us into ‘married people.’ Instead, being married is a lifetime process we must commit ourselves to again & again.” (Ellyn Sanna)

I admit that I have been guilty of this. My husband and I both have. When we got married, we just slid into life. There were a lot of things to do to build our life together, and we got busy at it. Like many spouses, we became so focused on making life “work” for us that we ran past & over each other to accomplish them. We just let things slide that we really shouldn’t have—such as intentionally growing our marriage relationship. We thought it our love would keep growing & growing as it had in the past. But I was wrong. We both were. It slid backwards.

“The plain fact is that most of us do not take marriage seriously. We get so caught up in all of the other demands that our marriage and the quality of our togetherness fall to the bottom of our ‘to do’ list.” (Evelyn and Paul Moschetta) … It’s important to remember, “Marriage has no automatic pilot. You can’t flick a switch and lean back and forget about it. You have to stay at the controls, making adjustments, making it fly. Every day you have to decide to love your mate. Every day.” (Kevin Leman) You have to make big and little choices to choose each other over other demands.

“A marriage can be improved in many ways but I cannot think of one that doesn’t have something to do with giving.” (Henry James Borys) “Giving” in marriage is manifested in many ways. You are to “honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10) It’s a matter of giving of yourself to your spouse, “as unto the Lord.” When sacrificial giving is involved, imagine that you’re doing this for the Lord. Essentially you are, much like giving a “cup of cool water” to someone that is thirsty. “Marriage is not just a spiritual communion and passionate embrace; marriage is also three meals a day, sharing the workload and remembering to carry out the trash.” (Dr Joyce Brothers)

It’s like what George Eliot said, “It is not true that love makes all things easy; it makes us choose what is difficult.” And that often involves doing things that we really don’t want to do, when it’s not convenient to do them. Isn’t that what Christ did for us?

God has a very high calling for our marriages. He uses it as a vehicle to grow us up to love and serve beyond our own comfort zone. “Marriage is an occasion to practice the gospel day in and day out. …If we want our marriages to grow and flourish, we will follow the pattern for love that Christ lived. We will look for opportunities to lay down our lives, to put our love into practice. In the context of our daily lives, this seldom means we literally give up our lives for the spouse we love. More likely it means we pick up their dry cleaning—or take out the trash for them when they’re running late.” (Ellyn Sanna) “A growing relationship means turning romantic love inside out—from love that takes to love that gives.” (Henry James Borys) 

Again, isn’t that what Christ did for us? And as we’re told in the Bible, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:6) So, if you want to improve your marriage relationship, do as Christ did and does. As Christ followers, that is our calling. To help with this we’ve added more tips posted in this Insight at: https://marriagemissions.com/improving-marriage-relationship/.

We strongly encourage you to post some tips you know of. They can help many others to improve all of our marriages. We hope you’ll join us in this mission. ~ Cindy and Steve Wright

Health Food Devotions - Honor Your Father and Mother

Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.—EPHESIANS 6:2–3

 *Honor Your Father and Mother*

After I was healed as a teenage boy, the thought never entered my mind that I might die prematurely. Now since then, I almost died a time or two because I got into disobedience. But I got back into that secret place of the Most High just as fast as I could. I taught my children that if they honored their father and mother, they would experience well days on earth and live a long time. When they were little, I read the Bible to them. And if I had to (I didn’t have to do it very much), I would give them a spanking, because, like any other child, they disobeyed me at times. I would say to them, “I’m not doing this because I want to. I’m doing it for your benefit. I want it to be well with you. I want you to live a long time on the earth. I don’t want you to be in the hospital. And I know you want to live a long time on the earth.” Neither one of our children ever had to go to the hospital. (Pat went there to have her babies, but that was it.) Very seldom was either one of our children even sick, in any way. When Ken was twelve years old, my mother-in-law called me and Oretha while we were on the road holding a meeting. He had the mumps. Ken said, “Daddy, I told Grandma to call and have you pray. There’s no use in me missing school. God will heal me.” So I prayed. And within forty-five minutes, the mumps disappeared, and he went back to school the next day. He never did miss a day of school. God’s Word works!


 *Confession* : I want to live long on the earth. I want to enjoy my time down here without sickness and disease. Therefore, I obey the Word of God. I stay in obedience and enjoy the blessings of God, such as health and healing.

Marriage Insight: Why God is This Happening?

Marriage Insight: Why God is This Happening?

Everywhere you turn you are hearing of different tragedies happening all around us. There are hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, fires, wars, rumor of wars, shootings, suicides, marriages on the verge of breaking up, and the list goes on. We hear the cries… daily. It is so heartbreaking. People are crying out, “Why God? Why is This Happening? Why don’t You stop this?”

How we wish we had answers for the heart cry of those around us. Just last night Steve was called to the scene (he is a Fire Department Chaplain) where a young boy committed suicide. The mom kept crying out, Why… why… why? And there are no logical answers to give to her. Comfort and help her… yes. But no real answers. I opened up the monitoring system to post comments that came in over night on the Marriage Missions Prayer Wall. There is one prayer request dealing with a spouse filing for divorce after meeting someone else, and the other is from a wife walking in on her husband having an affair. Why is this happening to good people? 

This morning a news story tells of people who are crying out to God as an evil shooter killed and wounded a huge number of people at a concert. Then there are bombings, stabbings & people ramming cars into crowds of people. There are so many people that never even thought much about God who are now blaming Him for the tragedies that are happening. Some were close to God before the horror hit, and others weren’t. But most of them are wondering why God didn’t stop these things from happening, or at least protect them or their loved ones when it did.

Sometimes there are dark clouds that surround our understanding of what “in the world” is going on. We have no idea of what God could be thinking in allowing certain horrible things to occur—especially when they occur to “good” people. We’re told God has a plan; and that He cares and He loves us. But our finite minds just cannot grasp the complexity of what good could come out of so many painful circumstances. Perhaps we are nearing the “last days” or maybe not—only God knows that truth. But whether we are, or not, we still need to “make the most of them.”

Jesus said that in the last days "there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, & never will be." (Matthew 24:21) …“Nation will rise against nation & kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines & pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you." (Luke 21:10-11) As recorded in Matthew 24:6 Jesus said that in the last days "you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet." For this reason, we should not panic. We just don't know if this is the end, or not. We're also told, "There will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self..." (2 Timothy 3:1-5) And don't we see this? Please read the rest of those scriptures. We see a lot of this happening in today’s world. We need to "be on the alert" because the enemy of our faith wants to cause us to fall. Jesus "said to his disciples, temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!" (Luke 17:1)

With all of this, fear can easily grip our hearts. But grabbing and then holding onto fear will only render us helpless. There are numerous scriptures that support this point. Fear ushers in hopelessness, which is then pushed onto those around us. But what good will that do? God tells us through His Word to, "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish..." (Eph. 5:15-17) We highly encourage you to continue reading what we are told in scriptures from there.

In 1 Peter 3:15-22 we are told, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…" Please continue reading from there. We’ll include them & more in the Insight posted at www.marriagemissions.com. But whatever you do, don’t panic… pray, & make “the most of every opportunity possible, because the days are evil.” Work to combat that, which the enemy intends for evil. We hope you will join us in this mission. And "may the Lord direct your heart into God's love and Christ's perseverance." (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

 ~ Cindy and Steve Wright

Open Heavens Devotional - NO SKIPPING DETAILS

Open Heavens 25 September 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – No Skipping Details

NO SKIPPING DETAILS – Monday September 25^th 2017

Memorise: For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Isaiah 28:10

Read: 2^nd Kings 4:1-7 (KJV)

4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

^4:2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

^4:3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

^4:4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

^4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

^4:6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

^4:7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

Bible in one year: Nehemiah 10-11, Ezekiel 46:13-24, Hymn: Sing hymn 14

MESSAGE:

To avoid financial storms, you need to carefully note all the elements of a divine instruction. God is a God of details. When He gives you a recipe to solve a particular problem, He expects you to leave no details out. In  today’s Bible reading, to solve the serious debt problem of the widow of a late prophet, Elisha asked her to borrow vessels from all her neighbours, shut the door behind her and pour out her remaining pot of oil into all available vessels. If she had altered any element of this instruction, it would definitely have affected the result she got. Some people receive certain divine instructions and thereafter determine which to obey and which to discard. No! All the details must be observed! Do you know that if the widow had borrowed the vessels but refused to shut her door, the oil would not have flowed?

Beloved, always pay close attention to whatever instructions you receive from God. When it comes to sowing for instance, 2^nd Corinthians 9:6-7 says,

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

From the details of this scripture, it is not just sowing that will get you your expected returns, but rather, sowing bountifully and cheerfully. Today, many people have chosen to forget these details on sowing, and this accounts for the financial storms in their lives. On tithing, it is not enough to tithe, but to bring in all the tithes. After completing my PhD research, I recalled I still had part of my research grant with the university. So I went to my Head of Department (HoD) asking to draw out of it to bind my thesis. He refused to release it to me, and when I insisted, he sent me out of his office. With no other funds available, I wondered how to get the money I needed. A little past midnight, someone came knocking on my door. He said he could not sleep, and so he came to return the money I had loaned him five years earlier. Although I had forgotten this money, God had not. He paid me the exact amount I needed. After binding the thesis, I was scared, wondering if my HoD would accept it and give me a good score. So on the following Sunday, I paid my tithe, and on Monday, when I submitted my thesis to him, he was impressed and offered to personally take it to the external examiner. He also waited on the examiner until he finished his job in three days instead of six months. After this, my PhD grant was paid, and it became useful pocket money for me. You cannot tell the extent God will go to satisfy those who are totally obedient.

Action Point

Ask God to lead out youths aright in the choice of life partners.

Open Heavens Devotional - THE IMPORTANT FACTOR

THE IMPORTANT FACTOR – Sunday September 24 2017

Memorise: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence . Colossians 1:18

Read: Matthew 6:31-34 (KJV)

^6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

^6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

^6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

^6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Bible in one year: Nehemiah 9, Ezekiel 46:1-12, Hymn: Sing hymn 3

MESSAGE:

First thing first, so the saying goes. As a believer in Christ, when you come before God’s presence, the most important person is not you but Him. Also, unlike most of us believe, at God’s Throne of Grace, the most important thing is not your requests, but rather the worship you offer to Him. if you fail to get this right, and you fail to adjust your approach and attitude to reflect this truth, you will always have issues with God. Do you know that every time you approach God’s presence, it is like facing a test? Believe it or not, when you come before God, there are two crucial people at that meeting: God and you. One of these two must take pre-eminence. Similarly, God has a need and you also have a need; one of these two needs must be more important.

“But seek ye first kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Matthew 6:33

The scripture tells us about a divine order that must be followed. It also talks about God’s need and man’s need. It tells us that God has already provided for all of man’s needs. In other words, God already has all you would ever need at anytime in your life. For you to receive them, all that He requires from you is to simply meet His needs. Give Him what He wants. Put Him first and your needs last. Give Him quality thanks, praise and worship. When you follow Heaven’s protocol, you will easily receive a favourable answer to your requests. God expects you to come before His presence with thanksgiving, praise and worship, leaving your request as the last thing. Do you know that one way to know how important something really is to you is to measure the amount of time you give to it? When you pray for one hour and you use 50 minutes of the time presenting your requests, you are telling God that you and your request are more important than Him and His desires. How do you think this makes God feel? In any case, He has already expressed His thoughts about this in 1^st Samuel 2:30, where He said:

“For them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

Also, what you focus on becomes magnified. If you focus on your problems, they will be enlarged, but if you focus on God and on what He wants, He will be magnified to the extent that your problems will fade into insignificance. By the time you eventually remember them, you would discover that they have been swallowed up by His Almightiness, leaving you with the answer to your prayers.

Key Point

If you make God your priority, He will make you His priority.

Marriage Insight: Weakening the Relationship Walls that Separate

Marriage Insight: Weakening the Relationship Walls that Separate

Whatever you do, it’s important as husband and wife to “Deal with grievances as they arise. Don’t stack them on top of one another or let them fester inside until they turn to hostility. Anger is always a secondary emotion. If spouses back up to what preceded it, they will often find hurt. If they reveal the hurt, they’ll weaken the walls that separate them.” (Bill Hybels)

There are so many circumstances that can cause walls of conflict to build up and separate us as wives and husbands. But the question is—what do we do when communication breaks down & hostility rises up to drive a wedge between us? We’d like to share a story to bring insight into what we’re to do in just such a circumstance. It’s titled: What Do We Build? Unfortunately we don’t know who wrote it so we can’t give them proper credit, but here’s how the story goes: 

“Once, there were two brothers who lived on adjoining farms who fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift they’d had in 40 years of farming side-by-side. They used to share machinery & trade labor & goods as each of them needed, without a single hitch. But then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding & eventually grew into a major difference until it finally exploded into an ugly exchange of bitter words, which was followed by weeks of silence. 

“One morning there was a knock on John’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. ‘I’m looking for a few days’ work’ he said. Would you happen to have anything around here that I could help you with?’ ‘Yes,’ said the older brother. ‘I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor. In fact, it’s my younger brother’s place! Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee & now there’s a creek between us. He may have done this to spite me, but I’m going to do him one better. See that pile of lumber over there by the barn? I want you to build me a fence —an 8-foot fence —so I won’t have to see my brother’s farm or his face anymore.’

“The carpenter said, ‘I think I understand the situation. Show me where you have some nails and a post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that will please you.’ The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes opened wide, and his jaw dropped at what he saw. There wasn’t a fence there at all. It was a bridge —a bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! It was beautifully built with handrails and all! He then saw the neighbor —his younger brother, coming toward them, with his hand outstretched. ‘You’re really remarkable —to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.’

“The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, & then walked toward each other meeting in the middle, taking each other’s hand. They then turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder. The older brother yelled, ‘No, wait! Stay for a few days. I have a lot of other projects for you to do.’ ‘I’d love to stay on,’ the carpenter said, ‘but I have a lot more bridges to build.’"

That carpenter had a peace plan—to weaken and tear down the walls that separate, and build relationship bridges to open up communication again. This is the same plan we should grab onto when we have grievances against each other as husbands and wives. Please recognize that:

“Most problems start with hurt. After the hurt mulls around in our mind for a while, it becomes infected. (You can end up being angry at ‘the insensitive louse’ that only cares about what they do.) That’s why it’s important to plan peace talks as soon as possible, before hurt turns to anger. …Revealing hurt can build bridges of understanding and compassion. But venting hostility blows up bridges, because people are repelled by angry assaults.” (Bill Hybels)

Are you one who blows up bridges in your family or are you a bridge builder—taking seriously the message of reconciliation that the Bible talks about? We need to keep in mind that “We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them.“ (2 Cor. 5:19 – The Message) We’re told in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

It’s our prayer that we’ll take this commissioning to heart to be Christ’s representatives —allowing His light to shine, as His ambassadors—especially within our homes. “Watch what God does & then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.“ (Eph. 5:1-2 – The Message)

As Christ’s ambassadors, may we continually build relationship bridges ~ Cindy & Steve Wright

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - YOU CAN AVOID WASTAGE

Open Heavens 16 September 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – You Can Avoid Wastage

YOU CAN AVOID WASTAGE – Saturday September 16^th 2017

Memorise: for by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 24:6

Read: Luke 15:11-16 (KJV)

^15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

 ^15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

^15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

^15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

^15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

^15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

Bible in one year: 2^nd Chronicles 35-36, Ezekiel 41:12-26, Hymn: Sing hymn 7

MESSAGE:

In life, some people experience provision before they ever need it, while some get provision just in the nick of time. Some others only get the provision they need after the time of need is past. One Bible character who experienced provision before need is the prodigal son in today’s Bible reading. All he would ever need was already provided for and safely kept by his father. Nevertheless, what was his responses to his father’s wisdom and grace? He foolishly asked for all that was his, and he wastefully spent it all. Luke 15:13 says,

“And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”

May you never waste God’s provision for your life! There are so many people who engage in wasteful spending. There are some people God has blessed with the funds to buy a piece of land, which they can develop as God enables them, but they use the provision to acquire a flashy car or attempt to live ‘big’ while they are still in a rented apartment. This amounts to foolishness. There are some youths who get some big money from legitimate ventures, but because they had no financial intelligence and never sought counsel, they wasted it and struggled thereafter.

“If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.”

Ecclesiastes 10:10

To manage financial provision, you need wisdom. In fact, the scripture above says that you can get results from a cutlass whether it is sharp or blunt; the difference is that wisdom helps you make the best decisions to obtain the best results. If you have financial wisdom, you would avoid wasteful spending and increase whatever you have. Do you have financial resources beyond what you need for the moment? Ask God for wisdom to manage it. Also, ask for guidance. Follow the counsel in today’s memory’s verse: ask those who know better. Ask from experienced fund managers and people skilled in financial investments. More importantly, find out from God, the provider of that provision, what the purpose of the provision is. If you can diligently ask Him, He will guide you on how to spend it in such a way as to guarantee repeated provision. You do not need to spend on every item you see or like. Humbly surrender your desires to God and let Him reign over them.

Key Point

You can completely avoid wastage when you submit your finances to Jesus, asking Him direction and approval of your budget.

Open Heavens Devotional - ONLY HIS WILL

Open Heavens 9 September 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Only His Will

ONLY HIS WILL – Saturday September 9th 2017

Memorise: Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to the partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Colossians 1:12

Read: Colossians 1:12-13 (KJV)
1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
 Ephesians 2:1-2 (KJV)
2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Bible in one year: 2nd Chronicles 19-20, Ezekiel 38:17-39:8, Hymn: Sing hymn 6
MESSAGE:
In every village, town, city, state or nation, there are usually two kingdoms at play: the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. Colossians 1:13 says,

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

This scripture shows that every child of God has been moved from one of these kingdoms to the other. If you are truly saved, you are no longer in darkness but in the kingdom of light. As light, you should not be afraid of operators in the kingdom of darkness, such as witches, wizards and those in the occult, because you have the greater one inside of you (1st John 4:4). If you are afraid of them, this indicates to you that all is not well with you; there could be some cracks in your wall, and sin might be responsible. Whatever compromises your holiness compromises your divine security. When these operators of darkness see that your light is shinning brightly, they will withdraw and dangle carrots of temptation at you, and if you fail for it, they will strike at you.

Moreover, the reason why God translated us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of his dear Son is because He is interested in having his will established both in Heaven and here on earth. Although nothing short of God’s will is done in Heaven, on earth, there is still a struggle to establish God’s will, because man handed over control of the earth to the kingdom of darkness in the Garden of Eden (Luke 4:5-6). As a child of God, you are therefore an agent of re-establishing God’s will in any corner of the earth where you find yourself. If you want to establish and fulfil God’s will, you will make no room for lies, sin and pretence. Among God’s children on earth today, you will be shocked to know how many of them really seek to do His will in all areas of their lives. Many of us want God to change His plans and ways to suit ours, but that is an expectation of futility. God does not change: He is ever the same (Malachi 3:6). As conservative as He may appear to be, His technology in Heaven is billions of years ahead of ours on earth. In fact, He is the One who gives our researchers, thinkers and inventors the latest discoveries they get. Such scientific discoveries are new and news to us,  but not to those in Heaven. To them, the best we have on offer is stale news. In Heaven, there are no gimmicks or tricks. Everything revolves around God, and He is in control of time. When God therefore gives you an assignment, He has expectations regarding when, where and how it should be done. If you miss out on any of the details, you will be on your own. To what extent are you doing His will?

Action Point
Ask God for grace to know Him, and for courage to do His will in every situation.

Open Heavens Devotional - A MOTIVATION MINDSET

Open Heavens 7 September 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – A Motivation Mind-set

A MOTIVATION MINDSET – Thursday September 7th 2017

Memorise: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14

Read: Haggai 1:12-15 (KJV)
1:12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord.

1:13 Then spake Haggai the Lord's messenger in the Lord's message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord.

1:14 And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,

1:15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

Bible in one year: 2nd Chronicles 14-16, Ezekiel 37:15-28, Hymn: sing hymn 7

MESSAGE:
Some people attend big Christian events for the sake of tradition, while some others attend because certain people are coming there. A crowd will often gather whenever there is an assembly where Jesus is present. If you attend such gatherings because of the crowd – just to belong or to show that you are current – you may not receive your desired blessings. In Mark 5:24-34, a crowd gathered around Jesus Christ on His way to Jairus’ house. For many of them, it was enough that they were in the crowd following Jesus, but right there in their midst, there was a woman who was not there because others were there; she was there because she so needed and desired to touch Jesus. She was determined in her heart that if only she could touch the hem of His clothes, she would receive her healing. She touched it and she was healed. That is what a motivated mindset can do. The Bible says she “came in the press behind”. She did not mind if people trampled on her, and she did not mind the pushing and shoving of the crowd; her singular focus was that she just had to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, no matter what it would take. To understand how motivated she was, you try getting to the front of a crowd from behind.


Moreover, another person who had a motivated mindset was Zerubbabel. Today’s Bible reading shows that when you have a focused mindset like Zerubbabel did, it will stir you up to take action. A motivated mindset fills your heart with conviction that you are overdue for a breakthrough, thereby ushering you into your desired blessing. For instance, when the man who was paralysed from the neck downwards was brought to Jesus, it was not for flimsy reasons (Mark 2:1-12). His friends felt he was overdue for a breakthrough, and so on their arrival, when the door was blocked off and there was no feasible way in through the window, they created a way through the roof. When you believe you are already overdue for a breakthrough, you will be compelled to take violent steps towards attaining your expectation. You will not care about the crowd, traditions or the need to socialize. You will not care about who is first, second or next to be attended to on a queue. All that fills your mind is that you are the next beneficiary of God’s mercy. Where do you stand now? Are you overdue for promotion, success, breakthrough, deliverance or prosperity? If you are, let your conviction on this drive you into your miracle. Such a belief has a way of motivating you to take actions that will trigger your blessing. It shall be well with you this season!

Key Point
While the expectations of the righteous are granted, those without expectations shall have nothing.

Open Heavens Devotional - STOP DISHONOURING GOD!

Open Heavens 6 September 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Stop dishon0ring God!

STOP DISHONOURING GOD! - Wednesday September 6th 2017

Memorise: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Psalm 66:2

Read: 1st Samuel 2:27-30 (KJV)
2:27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

2:28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

2:30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Bible in one year: 2nd Chronicles 11:13, Ezekiel 36:33-37:14, Hymn: Sing hymn 9
MESSAGE:

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
Malachi 3:8

In the above passage of Scripture, God complained about His children, who had suddenly turned into robbers. How can a worker in the Church of God or a minister of God be a thief? How can you claim to be a born-again Christian and keep on stealing? Those who rob God are no ordinary thieves. Boy, such people are really brave! Their victim is not a fellow human being but God Himself. You can be certain that such people are the worst kind of thieves in the universe! Can you imagine that idolaters fear their idols so much that they do everything possible not to break their rules? If anything is dedicated to an idol, who would dare steal it? Yet, these people throw all caution to the wind and steal what is dedicated to the Most High, and they expect Him to do nothing about it, because He is a God of mercy. This is bravery gone awry! Are you one of such “holy thieves”? Are you defaulting in your tithes and offerings?

In the same vain, there are some foolish and ignorant people, particularly in the universities, who insult God and Jesus Christ occasionally. I know this because I used to be one of them before I got saved. The opposite of honour is disrespect. If you are not honouring God, it means you are insulting Him. Everyone who robs God of first fruits dishonours God, and if you dishonour God, you can compel Him to change His promises and plan for your life (Proverb 3:9). This was what happened to the house of Eli. Hear what the Lord told Eli in 1st Samuel 2:30:

“… I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

May the Lord not change His great plan for your life. Do you honour Him? if you refuse to honour God, He will refuse to honour you. If you ignore Him, you will be of no consequences to Him. At the end of the day, you will undo yourself by your refusal to comply with divine instructions. Refusal to honour God can turn the desirable into something detestable. It can push the good things of life that were at a person’s fingertips miles away from him or her. Dishonouring God can separate you temporarily or even permanently from your blessings. Have you been paying your first fruits yearly? How often do you honour God?
Key Point
The instruction to honour the Lord is not a suggestion but a command.

Open Heavens Devotional - IS YOUR CONSCIENCE ALIVE?

Open Heavens 2 September 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Is your conscience alive?

IS YOUR CONSCIENCE ALIVE? – Saturday September 2nd 2017

Memorise: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1st Peter 3:16

Read: 2nd Samuel 12:7-14 (KJV)

12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

12:8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

12:9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

12:10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

12:11 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

12:12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

12:13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

Bible in one year: 2nd Chronicles 1-4, Ezekiel 34:11-24, Hymn: Sing hymn 9
MESSAGE:
A true representative of a good family will do everything possible to protect name of the family. For this reason, Proverbs 22:1 says,

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

If you are a worthy child of God, you will do all you can to honour God’s Name, and you will never bring it into disrepute. Honouring God’s Name goes beyond lip service; God expects you to prove that you honour Him through your actions. In 1st Samuel 17:1-51, David was angry that an uncircumcised Philistine could boldly insult the God of Israel, and yet nobody could do anything about it. He therefore took up the challenge of defending God’s Name. What have you done to defend or honour God’s Name? In what way has your nation, state, community or even your workplace recognised the Lordship and greatness of God above all other gods because of your presence there? The patriarchs of old were not ashamed to stand for this same God, even at the cost of their lives (Hebrews 11:36-37). But how is it with you today? Are you even ashamed to publicly associate yourself with Jesus Christ, so that your peers and superiors will not look down on you?

If you truly hallow God’s Name, then under no circumstance would you defile that Name. When someone looks at you and say, “How could you do this? And you call yourself a child of God!” Those words will go through you like a hot iron if your conscience is alive. If those words were spoken to you because you truly did err from the faith, you would feel pain in your heart, become miserable and feel ashamed of yourself. If indeed your conscience is alive, in such a moment, you would see yourself as a wretched sinner and immediately run to the cross of Calvary for mercy and forgiveness. If your conscience is however dead, you may not feel a thing and just move on as if nothing ever happened. Is your conscience still alive? Does it warn you before you do any evil? Does it prick you when you sin? In 2nd Samuel 11, David and Bathsheba fell into the sin of adultery. By the time Nathan confronted David over this evil act, he felt horrible. He was broken and in pain. God told him that his actions had brought shame and disgrace to His Name (2nd Samuel 12:14). David genuinely repented, and God forgave him. At what stage do you realise you have sinned, and what is your response to this realisation?
Prayer Point
Father, from now on, may I never bring shame to Your Name by my deeds.

Open Heavens Devotional - A TARGET OF FORCES?

Open Heavens 1 September 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – A Target of forces?

A TARGET OF FORCES? – Friday September 1st 2017

Memorise: Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth; thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Proverbs 6:2

Read: Genesis 35:16-19 (KJV)
35:16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.

35:17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

35:18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.

35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.

Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 28-29, Ezekiel 33:30-34:10, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:
Blessings and curses are two of the most powerful forces on earth, even though they function in opposite ways. When present in any life, either of them can seriously affect the destiny of their recipient. Psalm 37:22 says,
“For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.”

What does this mean? It means that if God blesses you, there is nothing you desire that you cannot get. This is why I am amazed whenever I come across some of my children and they say to me, “Daddy, please pray for me”, and when I respond saying “God bless you”, they still ask me to further pray for them. I tell such people that I have already prayed the greatest prayer anyone can pray for them, because if God blesses someone, all his or her problems will be over. As a user of this devotional, I say to you, God bless you!

Proverbs 10:22 reveals the power of the blessings that God gives; it says,

“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”

If you are blessed of the Lord, you will definitely inherit the earth. You will have all you want. However, if you are cursed by God, you will find out that when God curses a person, that fellow will sooner or later become desolate. What is a curse? A curse is an invitation to all the forces in heaven, on earth and underneath the earth to combine forces and resources to work against a person, until he or she is completely destroyed. So when an individual is cursed, demons, men, animals and even the elements will work against that fellow. Let us consider the example of Rachael in Genesis 31:31-35. After Jacob served Laban, he finally left to return home. Then came Laban in hot pursuit after Jacob, and he caught up with him. Laban then said to him, “You have taken my two daughters and my cattle, and now you have equally stolen my idols.” Jacob denied stealing the idols and said whoever stole them should die. Unknown to him, his beloved wife Rachel had stolen these idols and sat on them. They checked everywhere but the idols were not found. Jacob thereafter left Laban in annoyance. Later on, in Genesis 35:16-19, shortly after delivering her next child, Rachel died. The curse her husband had pronounced eventually worked against her. May you not use your own mouth to undo yourself or members of your family in Jesus’ Name!
Key Point
A curse makes a person the target of negative forces.

Open Heavens Devotional - DIVINE WISDOM

Open Heavens 31 August 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Divine Wisdom

DIVINE WISDOM – Thursday August 31st 2017

Memorize: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

Read: Daniel 1:18-20 (KJV)
1:18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 25:27, Ezekiel 33:21-29, Hymn: Sing hymn 16
MESSAGE:
Wisdom is the quality of discerning what is true, what is ethically right, and what should be done in different situations. Wisdom is fundamentally practical in nature. Although God alone possesses wisdom in the absolute sense, as benevolent God, He is willing to give His wisdom to all those who seek it in humble reverence (James 1:5). We see the wisdom of God manifested in the work of creation and in the provision of redemption from sin through Jesus Christ. Divine wisdom refers to the abilities given by God in every area of life including recognising and applying the provision of salvation through Christ Jesus, craftsmanship, knowledge and insight for right decisions in life, and several others. Divine wisdom cannot be received by those who put their confidence in worldly wisdom, which is based on human cleverness and insight without God’s revelation. God considers this human kind of wisdom to be foolishness. It may produce temporary success in life, but this will come to nothing on the long run. 1st Corinthians 3:19-20 says,

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”

Worldly wisdom builds pride and false hope in people, so much so that it makes them arrogate success to themselves to the exclusion of the Almighty God (Proverbs 26:12, Isaiah 47:10). In Isaiah 29:14, God has declared that worldly wisdom shall perish.

Wisdom has its roots in knowledge. Wisdom is the ability to correctly make use of acquired knowledge. Divine wisdom leads to proper conduct because it is built on the fear of God (Job 28:28). One of the dimensions that the Holy Spirit operates in is wisdom (Isaiah 11:2). Those who desire to possess divine wisdom will therefore need to cultivate an intimate relationship with Him (Proverbs 1:20-26). The Holy Spirit can fill a man’s heart with divine wisdom through the diligent study of God’s word (Psalms 19:7). He can also give divine wisdom through revelation. This revelation can come in the place of observing how others live their lives, or through the study of nature. Wisdom may also be received as a result of practical experiences of life and from parental guidance. Divine wisdom can only be received by those who are willing to give up all reliance on their own human insight and understanding. As you seek for divine wisdom by one or a combination of ways mentioned here, God will answer you and fill you up with His divine wisdom in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point:
Father, please teach me Your ways and lead me through the path of wisdom in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Devotional - SURE AVENUES TO COMFORT

Open Heavens 30 August 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Sure Avenue to Comfort

SURE AVENUES TO COMFORT – Wednesday August 30th 2017

Memorise: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

Read: Romans 15:4-5 (KJV)

15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 22-24, Ezekiel 33:10-20, Hymn: Sing hymn 16

MESSAGE:
We are blessed to have a God that does not desert those who belong to Him. In Hebrews 13:5, God promised never to leave nor forsake His own. The divine presence of the Great Shepherd strengthens His sheep, so much so that they entertain no fear. If you are His sheep, He is always with you; even when you cannot feel Him. Do you know that in those moments when it appears as if God has gone on a journey, He is much more around you than you can imagine? When He promised to be with us always, He was not joking (Matthew 28:20). Are you a sheep of the Great Shepherd? Are you feeling lonely or does it appear that God has forsaken you? He has not. He is right there by your side. He can hear your voice and your whisper. He can even hear your unvoiced wishes, and He will answer you. However, do everything to remain His sheep. Remain within His fold and shun every temptation to stray to the left or to the right.

If Jesus is the Shepherd of your soul, you will not lack comfort because He has promised to comfort you through His rod and staff (Psalm 23:4). No one can make it through this pilgrim’s way without the comfort of the Great Shepherd. One way we receive comfort today, as followers of Jesus Christ, is through the Holy Spirit. Hence, John 14:16 says,

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”


When you go through loss or experience some very painful situations, you need the comfort of the Spirit to restore you to a state of peace. The Holy Spirit is so good at this. If however you create a gulf between yourself and the Holy Spirit, how would you then be comforted in the time of need? From experience, the comfort you get from fellow human beings is grossly inadequate. Why? At best, man’s attempt at comforting you may satisfy mainly physical needs, but the comfort of the Holy Spirit can reach out to all areas of need, particularly the realm of the soul. Another way of accessing real soothing comfort is from the word of God. Romans 15:4 says that this kind of comfort does not only deal with the unrest in your heart, but it also gives you hope. This is one reason why you should never be far from the Bible. The word of God inspires hope. If you feel hopeless, check yourself; you may find out that God’s word is scarce in your heart. Are you feeling hopeless or in need of comfort? Reach out for God’s word today.
Key Point
One crucial time you need the comfort of the Holy Spirit is when you are passing through a wilderness experience.

Health Food Devotions - God’s Word Is Good.

Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.—JEREMIAH 1:12

God’s Word Is Good.

I remember another situation in which I had to act on what the banker said. I needed a car that could pull my trailer up mountainous roads. So I bought a 1955 V8 Chevrolet. Well, I didn’t have the money to buy it. I found a salesman who would let me have it at cost. However, instead of letting me have it at cost, it cost him one hundred and fifty dollars to sell it to me. So I called from California to Garland, Texas, to speak to my banker. I said, “Mr. Mitchell, I am buying a three-quarter ton pick-up truck.” Then I told him the price. He said, “Wow! There’s got to be some mistake here.”

So the salesman got on the phone with Mr. Mitchell and said, “I’m staying with the figure I gave him. We made a mistake. We figured it wrong. He’s getting the truck at one hundred and fifty dollars less than what we put in it. But I’m a man of my word. I’m going to stay with what I said. He can have it for that price.” Mr. Mitchell said, “All right. Just give the pick-up truck to him, and I’ll put the check in the mail for you.” Well, I drove that truck away in fifteen minutes. All the salesman and I had was the banker’s word. And all the banker had was my word. But we just acted on one another’s word and enjoyed the benefits thereof! I wonder if God’s Word is as good as Mr. Mitchell’s word! I wonder if God’s Word is as good as the car dealer’s word! I wonder if God will back His Word up! I wonder if you can depend on what He said! You have to know that God stands by His Word. Then you won’t be afraid to trust Him.

Confession: I know that God stands by His Word. His Word says that I’m healed, that I’m not sick anymore. So I believe Him. I know that God’s Word works for me.

Open Heavens Devotional - CHOSEN FOR A DIVINE PURPOSE

Open Heavens 29 August 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Chosen for a divine purpose.

CHOSEN FOR A DIVINE PURPOSE – Tuesday August 29th 2017

Memorise: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9

Read: Acts 17:24-31 (KJV)
17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 19-21, Ezekiel 32:29-33:9, Hymn: Sing hymn 8

MESSAGE:
Many Christians interpret today’s memory verse with the notion that God favours some individuals or groups of people over others. This idea eventually developed into doctrine of “Election”, which suggests that some people are predestined for salvation and others for damnation. Consequently, this doctrine of election has raised a lot of difficult questions in the minds of several people. Why should a just and loving God favour certain individuals or groups of people over others? Why should a loving God command the elimination of some people without mercy? A proper and diligent study of the Bible would lay these questions to rest permanently. Even a cursory look at the word of God shows clearly that God is good to all. He is not partial; neither is He a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

The above scripture makes it clear that Jesus was given for all men and women from all nations on the face of the earth, and anyone who believes in Him will obtain salvation. Therefore, those with warped interpretations of Scriptures that present our God in bad light, all in the name of “theology”, are not speaking the mind of God. Through the manifestation of Jesus Christ, the whole world, without exception, stands before God with equal opportunity and access to the grace, mercy, favour and love of God. Romans 10:13 says,
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

No matter who you are, you can come to Jesus with boldness and He will never reject or turn you down. The statement in 1st Peter 2:9 is therefore absolutely correct for everyone who has accepted the Lordship of Jesus Christ over their lives. If you are one of such people, you can say with certainty that you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a member of a holy nation. You are specially chosen to live in holiness and righteousness, to show forth the glory of God in all ramifications of life, and to live in good health, joy and peace. Since you have been chosen for a divine purpose, I pray that you will surely fulfil your destiny in Jesus’ Name.

Action Point
Thank God for who you are in Christ Jesus as revealed in 1st Peter 2:9. Confess each of the titles that describe your standing in Christ in this verse of Scripture.