Are You An Encourager?

Open Heavens Daily Devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Thursday September 4

ARE YOU AN ENCOURAGER?

Memorise:
Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
2 Timothy 1:4

Read: Acts 4:36-37

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Message

Two peculiar perils that confront Christian Leadership are discouragement and undue elation. A spiritual leader is in peril of being unduly depressed by inevitable times of discouragement and being unduly elated by inevitable days of uplifting experiences and achievements. Both of these seasons are experienced in every work for God. It is important for a spiritual leader to be watchful in seasons when everything goes well, when goals are reached, when planned endeavours are crowned with success, when the Spirit moves, souls are saved and saints are blessed. At such times, a mature leader should know on whose brow to place the crown of achievements. He should be careful not to arrogate to himself the glory that belongs to God alone. There are also moments of discouragement. These are seasons when everything seems not to be going well, when goals are frustrated, when planned endeavours flop, when the Spirit refuses to move and worship services seem insipid and lifeless. At such times, a leader needs encouragement. He should however be careful not to misbehave. Someone summed up what should be the attitude of a wise leader at moments of elation and discouragement in these cryptic words: “If successful, do not crow; if defeated do not croak”. Everyone needs encouragement. Everyone needs assistance. Everyone needs comfort. Everyone needs the prayers of others. Apostle Paul knew this truth when he requested in Ephesians 6:18-19 that brethren should pray for him. Are you a source of encouragement or an instrument of discouragement to your leader? There are several ways Christians can encourage their leaders. One is by obedience. Obey your leader. Make his work easy, enjoyable and interesting for him. Demonstrate that you love him. Be his friend.
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
John 15:14

Another way to encourage your leader is through voluntary service. Render assistance to your leader. Do whatever you can to boost his ministry and ensure that it flourishes. Use your talents, gifts and material resources for the furtherance of the work entrusted into the hands of your leader. Be sacrificial in your service. The dispensing of encouragement should however be reciprocal. Just as subordinates are expected to encourage their leaders, leaders should also encourage their subordinates. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in Luke 8:2-3 was encouraged by Mary Magdalene and some other women who ministered to him out of their resources. However, before these women could minister to him, Jesus had encouraged them by his own ministration of salvation, healing and deliverance. Additionally, a spiritual leader is a father, and fathers are enjoined in the scriptures not to provoke or frustrate their children (Ephesians 6:4). Do not deny them their rights and privileges.
Prayer Point:
Father, help me to be an encourager.

Gods Righteousness

The Leverage daily devotional by Pastor Segun Obadje
Thursday, September 04
God's Righteousness
Philippians 3:9; Romans 5:17

Romans 3: 21-22 "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference."" A good chunk of people are ignorant of what the righteousness of God is. They suppose it for many different things apart from what the Bible says it is. Why? This is because they lack the knowledge of God's Word. Romans 10:3 tells us that "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."" The righteousness of man is not the righteousness of God. The righteousness of God alone, not the righteousness of man, is acceptable to God. The height and best of man's righteousness is a filthy rag (Isa.64:6).God's righteousness is His best gift to us with which we can stand before Him; it is the only way we can truly approach God. It is possible to be zealous for God and still be ignorant of God's righteousness. Israel is an example. They were so ignorant of God's righteousness that they went about to establish their own righteousness – self righteousness. In a bid to please God, they displeased Him the more. Beloved, the righteousness of God can only be unveiled by the Gospel of Christ (Rom.1:16).

Other Scriptures for Meditation: 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:5

My Solid Front (Confession)
In the Name of Jesus, I declare that I have received the gift of God's righteousness and so I boldly approach the throne of grace today. Amen.

A Foolish Act

Open Heavens Daily Devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Wednesday September 3

A FOOLISH ACT

Memorise:
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
2 Chronicles 16:9

Read: 2 Chronicles 16:7-9

7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.
9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

Message

There was a king in the land of Judah called Asa, the son of Abijah (Judah comprised of two out of the twelve tribes of Israel). He reigned over Judah for forty-one years. He had a good record and was highly commended for the many wonderful things he achieved for the Lord during his tenure. The Bible in 2 Chronicles 14:2-3 says:
“And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:”
The above passage reveals the good works of King Asa as highly commendable, especially because at that time, Israel was in a state of apostasy. He knew the laws of God and had zeal for the things of God. He hated evil and anything that represented evil. This he exhibited by taking away the strange altars, breaking down contrary images and cutting down the groves. What more can anyone expect from King Asa but continued commitment to God. Because of King Asa’s obedience, God showed Himself strong on behalf of Judah during his reign. God fought against their enemies and sent several prophets to the king to encourage him, give him direction, and warn him of impending dangers. However, in the thirty-sixth year of King Asa’s reign, Baasha the king of Israel took up arms against Judah his brother and Asa was sore afraid. He was so afraid that he forgot the great battles the Lord had won for him in the past. Out of fear and confusion, he negotiated with Syria, giving them the treasures of the House of God as a reward for their assistance. This is where King Asa committed a foolish mistake. I pray that you will not be blind to anything capable of destroying you, your family or your future in Jesus’ Name.

The agreement King Asa had with Benhadad, king of Syria, appeared to be highly rewarding at first because it resulted in King Baasha retreating to his domain. But God said by so doing, Asa had acted foolishly. Always remember that the eyes of the Lord are running to and fro throughout the whole world to show Himself strong on behalf of anyone whose heart is perfect towards Him. Do not look at your circumstance, look unto God for survival, sustenance, support and blessings, and you will never be disappointed in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point
Father, please let me never fall into any circumstance that will make me negotiate or enter into an agreement with the enemies of God, in Jesus’ Name.

The Holy Spirit Is A Person

The Leverage daily devotional by Pastor Segun Obadje
Wednesday, September 03
The Holy Spirit Is A Person
John 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 2:10

John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever"". We ought to pay careful attention to the things Jesus Christ said about the Spirit because if there was anyone who had perfect knowledge of the Holy Spirit of God, it was Jesus the very Son of God who dwelt in the bosom of the Father. Jesus said "Howbeit when He the Spirit of truth is come…"" Notice He didn't say "when it the Spirit of truth…"" but "when He the Spirit of truth…"" He spoke of the Holy Spirit as a person not as an impersonal phenomenon. There are people who believe that the Holy Spirit is a force -- the force of God, but this position is different from what the Bible reveals. The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person. A person is one who possesses a will, a mind and an emotion. He has traits and features of a person. He can speak, He has a will of His own, He has a mind, and He has an emotion. Jesus said the Spirit would speak to us about Him (John 16:13), a force certainly cannot speak intelligibly. In Acts 13:2 the Scripture tells us that the Holy Ghost said "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them"". The Spirit of God has the ability to communicate by speaking, just like you and I can. Ephesians 4:30 says "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of promise, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption"". To grieve is to make angry. You cannot grieve a force; if the Holy Spirit were just a force, then He couldn't be grieved. The Holy Spirit has an emotion; He can emote. He is a divine person whom the Father has sent in the Name of Jesus to be our Comforter.

Other Scriptures for Meditation: Acts 13:2; Acts 5:3

My Solid Front (Confession)
In the Name of Jesus, Holy Spirit I acknowledge you today as a divine Person. I thank you for working in and through me. Amen.

The Light of The World

Open Heavens Daily Devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Tuesday September 2

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Memorise:
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12

Read: John 1:4-9

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Message

Darkness is the partial or total absence of light. It is a place of confusion, secrecy or mystery. Darkness stands for lack of spiritual or intellectual enlightenment, and represents wickedness or evil. Children of God must have nothing to do with darkness. Moreover, light is the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. Light is a source of illumination and it represents a condition of spiritual awareness. It liberates and gives direction. Light reveals. Every true child of God must seek to have the light of God - Jesus is the light of God. Jesus declared in John 8:12 that: ”I am the light of the world, he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life“. He was actually making a very important statement that has its roots in the spiritual realm. Light and darkness both have physical manifestations, but they have their roots in the spirit realm. The book of Genesis opened with darkness upon the face of the deep, and the first thing God did was to replace the darkness with light by the power of His Word. The work of creation could not proceed until there was light.

Jesus used the concept of “following the light” to minister to the Jews because it was a concept they could relate with. When God brought them out of Egypt, He led them through the wilderness with a pillar of fire by night so that they could travel far whenever the need arose (Exodus 13:21). Jesus used this to clearly illustrate that He alone can offer security, illumination and meaning in this dark world we live in. Jesus as the Light of the world offers life, revelation, grace, peace, understanding and spiritual awakening to those who are lost in the dark. I pray that everyone who is confused or lost in the darkness of this world will receive illumination and the revelation of the Lord Jesus today, in Jesus’ Name. The Bible while talking about the brevity of time in John 12:35-36 says:
“Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”
Therefore, time waits for no man; tomorrow may be too late. Today is the day of salvation; come to the light of Jesus today.

Prayer Point:
Father, You are the light of the world. Let the light of your gospel shine in every heart, community and nation, in Jesus’ Name.

Seeing With The Eyes Within

The Leverage daily devotional by Pastor Segun Obadje
Tuesday, September 02
Seeing With The Eyes Within
2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrew 11:1

2 Corinthians 4: 18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."" The Bible reveals the possibility of looking at things in the invisible realm of life, where the physical senses have no sway. Our opening scripture teaches that there are two realms of life - the seen and the unseen. It further reveals that things in the seen realm are temporal (subject to change), while things in the unseen realm are eternal (permanent, everlasting, immutable). How then do we look at things in the invisible realm? It is through the eyes of faith. Faith can see what the physical eyes cannot see. Why? Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."" Faith is the evidence, proof, title deed of things in the unseen realm. Beloved, as you learn to meditate on the Word of God, you will begin to exercise your spiritual eyes of faith to see into the realm of the unseen (the realm of the spirit), where things of eternal significance exist. Through faith, we can change things in the natural and as well as behold eternal things in God's Word. The things God has prepared for you which eyes have not seen, nor ears heard are spiritual things in the heavenly realm in glory. These are the spiritual things we've been blessed with. You have to see them through the eyes of faith to be able to appropriate them in your life.

Other Scriptures for Meditation: Hebrew 11:3; Romans 4:17- 20

My Solid Front (Confession)
In the Name of Jesus, I exercise my spiritual eyes of faith to see into the realm of the unseen (the realm of the spirit), and thereby cause changes in the natural realm. Amen.

Humility Attracts Grace

The Leverage daily devotional by Pastor Segun Obadje
Monday, September 01
Humility Attracts Grace
Philippians 2:1-9; James 4:6

1 Peter 5: 6 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."" In life, there is a certain posture to maintain to have grace flow in your direction always. The Word declares that humility is the posture that attracts grace. God gives grace to the humble, not to the proud. It is worthy of note to know that grace is the answer to all the cries of humanity. Humility is the quality of being modest or respectful; it is to be lowly in mind. It is to not think more highly of oneself than it is necessary. Humility is priceless and invaluable in the sight of God. The humble will dwell with God, but the proud He will resist (James 4:6). It is evident that a man whom God resists cannot amount to much in life. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon and Vashti, the queen of Ahasuerus were male and female biblical examples of pride. They were humiliated by God and lost their positions of honour to their humble neighbors. Such is the consequence of pride; it disrobes of honour and dignity. Beloved, take and maintain the posture of humility for it is the pull of grace. Beloved, let all your affairs be directed within the confines of God's word; you have to learn to operate within the conference and circumference of God's word. Do not entertain thoughts of pride in your heart. Humble yourself and God will give grace beyond measure.

Other Scriptures for Meditation: Daniel 4:28- 33; Proverbs 16:18

My Solid Front (Confession)
In the Name of Jesus, I choose to maintain the posture of humility and the Lord exalts me in due time. Amen.