Topic: Wearing a Mask? [Friday February 27, 2015]Memorise: Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. - Psalm 86:3Read: (Psalm 88:1-9 KJV)1 O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.Bible in one year: Ezekiel 21-22, andRevelation 8:1-12MESSAGE:
A mask is a full or partial cover for the face. It is used for disguised; to hide a person’s true identity, character or intentions away from being known or noticed. Also, the word “mask” could refer to a lifestyle that hides the real personality and emotions of a person. Putting on a mask portrays a hidden agenda, falsehood, hypocrisy, pretence, deception and double-mindedness. These are terms that should never be used to qualify a Christian or any action taken by a person who professes to be born-again.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” - Philippians 4:8
God expects His children to be truthful and honest in all things. Our utterances, outward appearance and the testimony about us should be a reflection of the inward person in us. Our “yes” should be yes and our “no” should be no. children of God should know how to speak the truth without hypocrisy (1 Timothy 4:2). Living a life of pretence is bad for many reasons, but the effect is more pronounced in prayers. When a person outwardly pretends to be born-again, holy, righteous, rich, happy and fulfilled, the inward man remains fully aware of the real situation and will find it very difficult to pray. Most importantly,James 1:6-8 confirms that God will never answer such prayers.
“For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” - James 1:7
The fathers and mothers of faith recorded in the Bible succeeded because they lived honest lives. From Bible accounts, Abraham, Moses, Elijah and David were very open and honest even in their mistakes. King David confessed his sins and cried to God for help and assistance. It is time to remove every mask and be sincere with God. Approach the throne of grace with genuine repentance and make your request known to God with all honesty. I prophecy that every request you make today will surely turn to a testimony in the Name of Jesus.Prayer Point: Father, please destroy the root of hypocrisy, pretence and deception in my life in Jesus’ Name.
Topic: Lamentation as Praise! [Thursday February 26, 2015]Memorise: For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. - Psalm 30:5Read: (Psalm 30:7-12 KJV)7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.8 I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 19-20 and Revelation 7MESSAGE:A lamentation is a song mourning or sorrow. In the Bible, lamentations were usually motivated by national disasters (2 Chronicles 35:25), by bereavement (2 Samuel 3:33-34), personal suffering (Psalm 102:1-11) or by the judgment of God (Amos 5:1-2). Lamentations could also be inspired by repentance as shown in Daniel 9:4-20.A lamentation can contain praise of express thanksgiving and gratitude to the Almighty God. Such was the lamentation of Daniel in Daniel 9. It was laced with praises to God even though He was mourning the captivity of the children of Israel. No wonder the Lord heard his lamentation and quickly dispatched an archangel to conform him. Jesus in Matthew 5:4 said:
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
This reveals that there is blessedness even in mourning. There is still a reason to glorify God for His goodness and His mercy even in morning. It shows that though there is lamentation, there will be clear reasons to praise God at the end. Singing songs of sorrow can therefore lead to comfort.An example of sorrow leading to comfort is seen when we lament for our sins, mistakes and errors in such a way that leads to genuine repentance. Such repentance leads to righteousness.
“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
In the above passage, the lamentation and sorrow of the Corinthians led to repentance. Paul rejoiced to see this genuine repentance take place in the life of the people. Godly sorrow brings repentance unto salvation. What started as lamentation or a song of sorrow, produced reasons to praise God at the end. Lamentation becomes a source of praise when godly sorrow produces genuine repentance. Such repentance leads to the joy of salvation, divine approval and blessing.Prayer Point: Father, let your Church experience godly sorrow that leads to genuine repentance in Jesus’ Name. - See more at: http://www.flatimes.com/2015/02/open-heavens-devotional-february-26-2-2015-lamentation-praise-pastor-adeboye.html#sthash.bS3cNiyL.dpuf
Topic: Worshipping the Unknown God? [Monday February 23, 2015]Memorise: Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. - John 4:22Read: (Acts 17:16-23 KJV)16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.Bible in one year: Ezekiel 13-15, and Revelation 4MESSAGE:Apostle Paul was taking a walk through the old city of Athens as a visitor when he noticed an altar with this inscription: ' TO THE UNKNOWN GOD'. Paul was aware that Athens at that particular period was filled with philosophers of either epicurean beliefs or those of stoic principles. Epicureans were devoted to sensual pleasure. They have sensitive tastes, expecially in food and wine, and they loved to enjoy the good things of life. On the other hand, Stoics were professedly indifferent to pleasure or pain, free from passion,unmoved by Joy or grief and submissive to the natural law. These philosophers prided themselves as custodians of exceptional of wisdom and knowledge in all areas of life including issues about God and religion. When they met Apostle Paul, being persuaded of their superior wisdom, they were quick to ask "What will this babbler say?" However, their folly was already evident in this inscription. This story still rings true today. Because knowledge has greatly increased all over the world, scientists and philosophers proudly try to impose their limited mortal theories as superior to the knowledge of the Almighty God.However, like the Athenians of Paul's days, these are genuine seekers among today's scientists and philosophers, who will readily accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour and submit to the authority of the Scriptures if the right opportunity is made available to them. The truth is: God is spiritual being. His existence cannot be investigated or proved scientifically; neither can He be searched out through philosophical investigations. Therefore, God can only be known by faith, through the revelation knowledge made available by the gospel of Jesus Christ (Luke 10:22). And more importantly, the whole Bible provides extremely convincing factual evidence that God exists and that Jesus Christ Is the son of the Living God (Colossians 1:15-17)It is therefore time to expose the error of the unknown God and begin to propagate a more perfect knowledge of the Living God. We must use every available opportunity to reach the world with the message of gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation. It is the sure way to forgiveness, deliverance, healing, peace, joy and prosperity. Remember, time is short. Begin to vigorously propagate the gospel today, and great rewards will accrue to your account here on earth and in heaven in Jesus' Name.Prayer Point: Father, please grant me the grace to be an addicted soul winner in Jesus' Name.Open Heavens Daily Devotional written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.Click HERE to read more Open Heavens Devotional
