RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. WEDNESDAY 1 JULY 2015.

THEME : RETURN REDUCED WAGES!

   

MEMORISE : Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law. ROMANS 13 : 8.
READ : GENESIS 31 : 36 – 42.
36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to
Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued
after me?
37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy
household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they
may judge betwixt us both.
38 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have
not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of
it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and
my sleep departed from mine eyes.
41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years
for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my
wages ten times.
42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had
been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine
affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 CHRONICLES 7 : 14 – 9 : 34 AND LUKE 15 : 1 – 24.

MESSAGE
God is a righteous God, and as a result, He hates all forms of fraud. According
to Leviticus 19 : 13, it is a crime to delay your worker’s salary for 24 hours. Do
you promptly pay your staff – whether church or secular? Another aspect of
fraud is manipulating your workers’ salaries. One Bible character who was a
victim of this was Jacob. All the years he worked for Laban, he suffered a
great deal. He was deceived, cheated, made to bear the losses his boss should
have borne and earned an ever-decreasing wage. Laban was extremely wicked.
But do you know that some employers today are like Laban? They take all the
gains of their businesses and push all the losses to their staff, irrespective of
what caused such losses. Also, while they plan to make more profit and push
their staff to work hard at it, they hardly ever plan to increase their salaries.
If anything, they continue to come up with excuses as to why such salaries
should remain at the same level, or even be reduced.
Laban reduced Jacob’s wages 10 times. If you are happy to cut down your staff
salaries rather than increase them, though your business is not diminishing,
you are toying with Hell. If your business cannot afford an employee anymore,
it is better to let such staff go after paying their entitlements. Take note of
the words of Romans 13 : 8 :
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth another
hath fulfilled the law.”
Every cent, kobo or penny you fraudulent cut off the wages of your staff
amounts to a debt you owe them. Also, the fact that you owe your staff shows
your lack of love for them. You cannot be cutting down the salary or wages of
those you love, while your business is doing fine. Do not be surprised that some
employers who claim to be believers in Christ will die and get to the gate of
Heaven, only to be told that they cannot enter in because of the debt they owe
their staff. At that checkpoint, the entire amount owed will be found on them.
They will then say “I am sorry; I am now prepared to pay the debts I owe my
staff”, but the angles will say “Sorry, it’s too late.” The money such persons
fraudulently stole from their staff will follow them to Hell-fire and torment
them there for eternity. For your own good, go and restitute all the wages
you have cut off without just cause!

KEY POINT :
Besides pride, another vice that God cannot stand in people is breaking of
agreements. If you make a promise, you must keep it.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. TUESDAY 30 JUNE 2015.

THEME : IS IT AS TO THE LORD?

  

MEMORISE : Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; EPHESIANS 6 : 6.

READ : EPHESIANS 6 : 5 – 8.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the
will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive
of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1CHRONICLES 5 : 23 – 7 : 13 AND LUKE 14 : 12 – 35.

MESSAGE
The story was told of a preacher who went to church one Sunday morning, fully
prepared to deliver his sermon, only to find out that the bad weather had
prevented members from coming to church except one little boy. This preacher,
as the story goes, preached as if the whole auditorium was full of members.
After the sermon, the preacher made an altar call and the boy gave his life to
Christ that glorious Sunday morning. It was one morning, one preacher, one-
member congregation and one convert. That little boy became a world-
renowned evangelist.
Today’s Bible reading encourages us to render our service, either in church or
outside of church, as to the Lord, not with eyeservice or as men-pleasers.
Unfortunately, there are men-pleasers today in Church, who would rather
offend God instead of offending the feelings of people, even when this is un-
scriptural. Such an attitude affects our service to God negatively. It taints
our holy service to God. Paul in Romans 12 : 1 says thus about Christian service
:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service.
The work ethics in our church organisation should require little or no
supervision. This is one of the first things we were taught when we applied as
volunteer workers in church. There is danger in working with eyeservice,
because when the one you intend to impress is not around, you will do
something else.
Some civil servants short-changed themselves when they think that
Government work is not to be done wholeheartedly as if one’s life depends on
it. If you work in an organisation, particularly a government establishment,
and you think you can loaf around and still get paid at the end of the month
without repercussion, you must have been deceived. The law of natural justice
and equity established the fact that if your work is worth 50,000 of your
country’s currency but you receive 1,000,000 by the time you have spent the
last unit of the money, you will realise that the value of what the 1,000,000
obtained is not more than what is obtainable with 50,0000.

PRAYER POINT :
Father, deliver me from eyeservice, and please help me to serve You acceptably
from now onwards in Jesus’ Name.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. MONDAY 29 JUNE 2015.

THEME : IT’S NOT OVER YET.

  

MEMORISE : Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:
but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am
apprehended of Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 3 : 12.

READ : PHILIPPIANS 3 : 10 – 14.
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship
of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I
follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of
Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 CHRONICLES 3 : 1 – 5 : 22 AND LUKE 13 : 31 – 14 : 11.

MESSAGE
The Christian journey is more often than not a long distance race. This is
particularly true because of the long life that our Heavenly Father has
promised us (Psalm 91:16).
We therefore need a lot of patience to run the race. Apostle Paul in today’s
Bible reading gives insight in the nature of the race we are engaged in. it is a
non-stop marathon. Once you start, you cannot go on sabbatical leave.
Because you are already grafted into Jesus Christ once you start the race, you
must ensure that you don’t pull yourself away from Him who first ran this race
and finished well ( Hebrew 12 : 2 ). How do we sustain the tempo and
determination to finish well? Paul answers this question in Philippians 3 : 13 –
14 :
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this once thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Many Christians live in the glory of their past achievements, and this has
resulted in their undoing. The various indictments Jesus levelled against the
seven Churches in Asia in Revelation 2 – 3, should be food for thought for all
end-time Christians. In the past, when a Christian mistakenly said something
that was not untrue but also not 100% true, he quickly corrected himself with
an apology. For example, in the days when my father-in-the-Lord was still
alive, I remember travelling to Ilesa, a city in south-west Nigeria, and
forgetting to buy some oranges along the way as I used to. I remembered
after I got to Lagos and quickly bought some in Lagos. I gave them to my
father-in-the-Lord and he asked if I bought the oranges on my way. I said
“yes sir”. Immediately, the Holy Spirit rebuked me that I was not telling the
whole truth. I bought them on the way, yes, but not on the way from Ilesa as
the old man meant to ask. I quickly corrected myself and he exclaimed “Holy
Spirit” in adoration of the Holy Spirit’s rebuke of love. Today, many children of
God tell lies with impunity and they do not feel the pain of lying even against
the Holy Spirit. Their first love is all gone. Be warned that the race is not over
yet. Ezekiel 18 : 24 says :
“But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth
iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man
doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be
mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath
sinned, in them shall he die.”

PRAYER POINT :
Father, please uphold me to the very end of my Christian race
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

HEALTH FRIDAY: STRESS MANAGEMENT

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Stress is your body’s response to certain situations. It is a subjective condition. Something that may be stressful for one person—speaking in public, for instance—may not be stressful for someone else. Not all stresses are “bad.” For example, graduating from college may be considered a “good” form of stress. 

Stress can affect your physical health, your mental health, and your behavior. In response to stressful stimuli, your body turns on its biological response. Chemicals and hormones are released that are meant to help your body rise to the challenge. Your heart rate increases, your brain works faster, you have more focus, and you experience  a sudden burst of energy. This response is natural and basic; it’s what kept our ancestors from falling victim to hungry predators.
Stress overload, however, can have harmful effects. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), more than half of Americans report suffering the health effects of too much stress, and 22 percent say they are under “extreme” stress. We cannot eliminate stress from our lives, but we can learn to avoid and manage it.

Is All Stress Bad?

No, not all stress is bad. In fact, it can be healthy because it helps us avoid accidents, power through unexpected deadlines, or stay clear-minded in chaotic situations. But stress is meant to be temporary. Once we’ve passed the “fight or flight” moment, our bodies should return to a natural state—heart rate slows, muscles release, breathing returns to normal. But the circumstances of chronic stress so many of us face as a result of the pressures and demands of our modern lives mean our bodies may frequently be in a heightened state with our heart pumping hard and our blood vessels constricted. Over time, these physiologic demands begin to take a toll on the body. This is the unhealthy side of stress.

What Are the Types of Stress?

Acute Stress

Acute stress is your body’s immediate reaction to a new challenge, event, or demand—the fight or flight response. You may experience a biological response to cope with  the pressures of a near-miss automobile accident, an argument with a family member, or a costly mistake at work. Acute stress isn’t always caused by negative stress; it’s also the experience you have when riding a roller coaster or having a person jump out at you in a haunted house.
Isolated episodes of acute stress should not have any lingering health effects. In fact, they might actually be healthy for you. Stressful situations give your body and brain practice in developing the best response to future stressful situations.
Severe acute stress such as stress suffered as the victim of a crime or life-threatening situation can lead to mental health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or acute stress disorder.

Chronic Stress

If acute stress isn’t resolved and begins to increase or lasts for long periods of time, it becomes chronic stress. Chronic  stress can be detrimental to your health. It can contribute to several serious diseases or health risks, such as heart disease, cancer, lung disease, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

How Should Stress Be Managed?

The goal of stress management isn’t to get rid of it completely. That would be entirely impossible. In fact, stress can be healthy in some situations.
Instead, the goal is to identify a person’s stressors—what it is that causes him or her the most problems, or demands the most energy—and find ways to overcome the negative stress those things normally induce.
By managing chronic stress and episodes of acute stress, when possible, you can reduce your risks of stress-related illnesses and disease. You will also feel better, think more clearly, and relate with others better without the distraction of stress.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. FRIDAY 26 JUNE 2015.

THEME : NO FOOD FOR THE LAZY MAN.

  

MEMORISE : For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if
any would not work, neither should he eat. 2 THESSALONIANS 3 : 10.

READ : 2 THESSALONIANS 3 : 10 – 12.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would
not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working
not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ,
that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 KINGS 23 : 1 – 35 AND LUKE 12 : 22 – 48.

MESSAGE
Laziness is not a Christian virtue in any way. Our Lord Jesus Christ made this
clear by His lifestyle of head work while here on earth. A lifestyle of laziness is
outrightly rejected in Scriptures typified by today’s Bible reading. It is
amazing that some people are still expecting God to rain manna on earth! It
does not work that way anymore. After the children of Israel had settled in the
land flowing with milk and honey and they had eaten the old corn of the land,
the manna ceased ( Joshua 5 : 11 – 12 ). What the Lord expected of them going
forward was to cultivate the land and expect His abundant harvest. Some
people don’t know that working is a divine attribute. They think the idea of
work came as a result of sin. This is far from the truth because God worked,
and Jesus Christ even said this in John 5. : 17 :
“But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
It was reported to Paul that same so-called brethren were not working in the
early Church. Paul quickly responded to the situation with the example of
himself, because he was hard-working. Read his testimony in Acts 20 : 33 – 34 :
“I have coverted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know,
that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were
with me.”
Some Christians claim that they do not work for a living because they cannot
get a job. From personal experience, the truth of the matter is: it is the job
of their dreams that they are looking for, and because it is not forthcoming,
they stay at home or loaf around, living on other people’s sweat. Such people
should look for an alternative job, not only to keep busy but also to earn a
modest living. Proverbs 12 : 11 declares that :
“He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain
persons is void of understanding.”
Apostle Paul did not depend on any person but God for survival. Despite his
extraordinary anointing, he was a still a tent maker ( Act 18 : 3 ). I pray for
someone reading this devotional who is currently unemployed: the Lord will
provide you with a good job that will enable you to support the work of God and
bless the brethren, in Jesus’ Name.

ACTION POINT :
If you are looking for a white collar job and it is not forthcoming, prayerfully
try your hands on something else, and God will bless your effort in Jesus’
Name.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. THURSDAY 25 JUNE 2015.

THEME : REMAIN TRUE TO GOD.

   

MEMORISE : Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: PSALM
103 : 2.

READ : DEUTERONOMY 8 : 10 – 14.
10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God
for the good land which he hath given thee.
11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his
commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee
this day:
12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and
dwelt therein;
13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is
multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;
14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which
brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 KINGS 21 – 22 AND LUKE 12 : 1 – 21.

MESSAGE
Solomon was a man who enjoyed the goodness of the Lord in an unprecedented
way. The crown of God’s goodness to him was that God appeared to him twice
( 1 Kings 9 : 2 – 3 ). He indeed recognised and testified to the goodness of God
in His life. In 1 Kings 5 : 4 he testified that :
“But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is
neither adversary nor evil occurrent.”
Everything that Solomon desired, the Lord granted him. But the Bible in 1 Kings
11 : 4 says this about his latter end :
“For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his
heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God,
as was the heart of David his father.”
The negative turn taken by the life of Solomon when he was old can be
attributed to the comfort he enjoyed. This example of Solomon should serve as
a lesson to every one of us. To be blessed by God is not as important as
retaining your relationship with Him. Solomon started well but he could not end
well.
The real character of a man is not revealed at the time he is experiencing need
but at the time he has entered into abundance. King Solomon was prospered so
greatly by God that the Queen of Sheba heard of his prosperity and fame. She
personally came to Jerusalem to witness those things she had heard. It is
unfortunate that Solomon did not remain true to God who had prospered him.
Is the Lord doing great things through you? Don’t ever be proud. He owns the
content; you are just an ordinary container. As a pastor, are there many
members in your congregation? Don’t get distracted by this, God is the one
drawing them to Himself. Many who started well have turned away from the
faith; don’t be one of them. When people are in search of one thing or the
other, they will be actively involved in the service of God, but as soon as their
problems are solved and their needs are met, they will disappear from God’s
service. Are you in a state where everything looks alright, but in your heart
you know that you have missed it somewhere? There is no need to pretend; all
you need to do is come back home to your senses. God is waiting for you. Never
allow the pressures of this life to lead you to destruction. Deal with all those
things that are capable of keeping the blessings of God out of your life. Come
out of every weakness. Don’t allow that questionable relationship to deny you
the joy of your salvation.

PRAYER POINT :
Father, grant me grace not to fail in the place of honour.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. WEDNESDAY 24 JUNE 2015.

THEME : LOVE IN PRACTICE.

  

MEMORISE : My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in
deed and in truth. 1 JOHN 3 : 18.

READ : 1 JOHN 3 : 16 – 18.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and
shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in
him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and
in truth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 KINGS 19 – 20 AND LUKE 11 : 33 – 54.

MESSAGE
The character of love is seen in practice and not through empty words. This is
the reason why John the beloved advised that we should make the expression of
our love practical. One practical way of expressing love is through giving. The
Bible in John 3 : 16 says that God loved the world, and this love compelled Him to
give His only begotten Son, so that men could be saved. It was through the
medium of giving that God ascertained the love of Abraham had for Him
( Genesis 22 : 10 – 18).
Many people deceive themselves that they love God, but God knows they are far
from what they claim to be. When God lays a demand on them, even of those
things that legitimately belong to Him, they give reasons why they cannot
respond positively, expecting Him to understand the situation they are passing
through. For example, some people deny God of tithes and offerings, and they
expect Him to understand.
Our giving should also be directed towards our fellow humans beings, since this
is more direct. It is an expression of love to someone we can see. As a matter
of fact, Jesus appreciates our gesture towards our fellow human being,
particularly those of the household of faith. He said in Mathew 25 : 34 – 36 that
:
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me
drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was
sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”
John the beloved in 1 John 3 : 17 also asked this question :
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and
shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in
him?”
A popular adage says: ‘ A friend in need is a friend indeed.’ I would rather say ‘
A brother in need is a brother indeed.’ Some brethren find it difficult to pick up
a stranded brother that is known to them on the road. Beloved, let us go back
to the basics of love as was taught in the early days of the Church. This will
make our Lord Happy, and He shall bless us in return.

ACTION POINT :
Look around you from those in need, and show them compassion of Jesus.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. TUESDAY 23 JUNE 2015.

THEME : LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE.

   

MEMORISE : And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the
firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever
and ever. DANIEL 12 : 3.

READ : MATTHEW 5 : 14 – 16.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 KINGS 17 : 24 – 18 : 37 AND LUKE 11 : 14 – 32.

MESSAGE
Any child of God who desires not to be overwhelmed by the darkness of this
world needs to compulsorily shine as the light. The Bible says in John 1 : 5 :
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
Why is it that the darkness does not overcome the light? Simply put, it’s
because the light shines. When the light refuses to shine, it gives room for
darkness to reign. This is the reason why it is dangerous for children of God to
abandon politics in the hands of the children of disobedience. These children of
disobedience will continue to vote for politicians who are their spiritual
kinsmen. Christians have no moral justification to complain of bad governance,
if they refuse to shine as light in the political scenes of their country. The
reason darkness did not overcome Jesus Christ was that, as the light of the
world, he shone throughout his earthly ministry. In John 9 : 5 He declared that
:
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
He also defined us as the light of the world in Mathew 5 : 14.
From today’s memory verse, we understand that to shine in this world of
darkness requires wisdom. It therefore follows that it is foolish to light your
spiritual candle of salvation and hide it under the table. Of course, it’s only a
matter of time before the light goes out. One of my children once shared the
wisdom that God gave him to always overcome being overrun by evil of this age.
Anytime he finds himself in a new environment, the first thing he does is to
announce that he is a child of God. He does this by witnessing to the high and
low of that place. So, from the first day of his arrival, people already know he
is not someone to discuss fraud and other sins with.
How do we shine as stars in the darkness of this world? Daniel gave us the
answer to this question also in Daniel 12 : 3 :
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they
that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
I urge you to begin to shine through soul- winning and teaching the doctrine
of righteousness, and God will back you up. The evils associated with darkness
will not overcome you in Jesus’ Name.

KEY POINT :
When you preach, teach and exhort people into godliness, you will be left with
no option to live as such.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. MONDAY 22 JUNE 2015.

THEME : THE YOUNG MUST GROW.

  

MEMORISE : But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 PETER 3 : 18.

READ : 2 PETER 3 : 15 – 18.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our
beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written
unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are
some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable
wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye
also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own
stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 KINGS 15 : 27 – 17 : 23 AND LUKE 10 : 38 – 11 : 13.

MESSAGE
There is a privately owned transport outfit in Nigeria which has “The Young
Shall Grow” as its company name. This name suggests optimism concerning the
potentials of the young. However, in the kingdom of God, the expectation that
the young will grow is beyond optimism; it is a matter of compulsion as seen in
our memory verse. I pray that you will grow spiritually in Jesus’ Name.
How can a young Christian grow spiritually? Apostle Peter gives a definitive
answer in 1 Peter 2 : 2 :
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby:”
This is one of the areas where we have issues in the 21st century Church. Some
influential churchmen and women have rejected the accuracy and sufficiency
of the scripture for Christian living. They have settled for the philosophy of
relativism. Incidentally, this development is not new; it was manifested in the
early Church also. This formed the basis of why Peter wrote the words of
today’s Bible reading. Amazingly, Peter in this epistle made mention of the
epistles of Paul, which he described as too hard for the unlearned and unstable.
These ones were not ready to grow; so they twisted the epistles of Paul and
suit their lusts; just like they did with other scriptures. This practice still
goes on today. I learnt with dismay that a senior pastor of a church said to his
congregation that some of those things Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus
and to the Corinthians are not necessarily meant for European or African
Christians! How on earth would the congregation of such a pastor grow
spiritually?
Apostle Peter therefore warns us in 2 Peter 3 : 17 to beware of the error of
the wicked, so that we are not led astray like Eve in Genesis 3 : 4 – 5. The
serpent seemed to be saying to her: “Don’t mind God; you cannot die at all; God
is only being unnecessarily high handed because He does not want you to be as
enlightened as He is”. Apostle Peter followed up this warning with the command
that all Christians must grow and continue to grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ ( 2 Peter 3 : 18 ). If a Christian would
not grow in grace to do according to the word of God, such a Christian will be
tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and is doomed for perdition.
Therefore, young Christians must grow by being grounded in the true word of
God.

PRAYER POINT :
Father, grant me revelation in the knowledge of You, and feed me with the
bread of Heaven that I may grow to spiritual maturity in Jesus’ Name.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

HEALTH FRIDAY: Emotional & Mental Health

Emotional & Mental Health

               

In the past decade, mental health professionals have begun applying research to the study of happiness. The result is "positive psychology," a new field of inquiry that focuses on the emotions and personality traits that add up to a satisfying life. Positive psychology also investigates how its principles apply to community and social institutions, such as families, schools, and workplaces.

Research has confirmed what most lottery winners have found out the hard way; happiness is not necessarily waiting on the slopes of Whistler or behind the wheel of a Maserati. It consists of having physical health, intellectual challenges, close family ties, engaging social relationships, and perhaps some kind of spiritual connection.
Of course, everyone is confronted with profound challenges from time to time—job loss, legal problems, divorce, injury or illness, and bereavement. These situations can be devastating. Such setbacks are often accompanied by financial reversals, such as bankruptcy or home foreclosure. But these experiences of loss, disappointment, and misfortune help us appreciate what—and who—we have.
Most of the time, we bounce back from adversity. The degree to which we're able to do so is called resilience. But sometimes a person lacks the support system or inner resources to rally after a hard blow. Depression, an anxiety disorder, or some other mental illness may follow.

Types of Mental Health Disorders

Like physical illness, mental illness takes many forms. To make sense of these forms, experts have devised 16 categories, ranging from factitious (faking) disorders to psychoses. Let's look at the characteristics of several of the most common types of mental health disorder

Depressive Disorders

There are three types of depression:

Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a chronic (long term) but mild depression that lasts more than two years and keeps people from functioning at their highest level. People with dysthymia feel a great deal of self-doubt and may pass up educational or career opportunities as a result. They're able to go through the motions but tend to find little joy in life.

Major Depression
Major depression is a chronic, severe sense of despair that lasts six months or more. Major depression usually impairs the ability to work or study, interferes with relationships, and/or affects eating or sleeping patterns. Dysthymia can evolve into major depression.

Bipolar Disorder
Also called manic-depressive disorder, bipolar (meaning "two poles") illness is a form of depression in which a person cycles through unpredictable highs and lows, punctuated by periods of relative stability. The highs are sometimes referred to as "mania," but that term is a bit misleading because it suggests that the manic person is frenzied or deranged. In fact, the person might simply appear excited, talkative, energetic, and upbeat. During this phase, the person is apt to pursue overly ambitious projects, show poor judgment, and display reckless behavior, such as engaging in unsafe sex, spending or gambling sprees, or drinking binges. Conversely when the person is moving through a depressive cycle, he or she will show traits more common to depression such as sleep problems, loss of interest in hobbies, guilt, indifference, and loss of concentration.

Anxiety Disorders

When normal apprehension escalates into alarm and dread, it is classified as a mental health problem. Anxiety disorders are classified as follows:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
People with GAD might be called "high strung." They expect poor outcomes, tend to be jumpy and fearful, and worry a great deal about minor things that are beyond their control. Being emotionally overwrought may contribute to physical symptoms, such as stomach ailments, headaches, insomnia, and fatigue.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts that cause uneasiness, fear, or distress—the obsessive component of the disorder—and by repetitive irrational rituals the person feels compelled to perform in order to alleviate anxiety—the compulsive component of the disorder. For example, a person who is afraid of contamination might iron clothes obsessively—even socks, sheets, and underwear—in an effort to kill germs with the heat of the iron.

Panic Disorder
The chief symptom of panic disorder is a sudden, crushing wave of anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, and heart palpitations. These waves of panic generally peak within 10 minutes and then go away. About six million adults in the United States have panic disorder. It can begin at any age, but the typical onset is in the mid-20s. It may be accompanied by other conditions, such as bipolar disorder.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
As its name suggests, PTSD occurs among people who have survived a severe trauma, such as combat, rape, a natural disaster, or diagnosis of a life-threatening illness. This disorder can induce either a state of hyperarousal, in which the person remains constantly vigilant for threats, or a state of dissociation, in which feelings and thoughts are separated or compartmentalized. The person may have flashbacks; become detached or irritable; or avoid certain people, places, or situations that arouse disturbing memories.

Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)
People with social phobia are enveloped by an overwhelming sense of dread in certain social situations, such as job interviews, parties, or dates. Even being called upon to answer a question during a business meeting or needing to ask for directions can cause a person with social phobia to blush, sweat, tremble, or feel faint. This disorder often accompanies bipolar disorder and other depressive illnesses. It can also occur with anxiety disorders such as OCD and panic disorder. For reasons that are unclear, about 40 percent of people with social phobia have a coexisting substance abuse problem.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that entails a loss of touch with reality. A person with schizophrenia cannot cope with daily life or meet the reasonable expectations and demands of others, such as an employer or partner. Symptoms of the disorder include the following:

• Disordered, delusional thoughts, which may include hallucinations and paranoia
• Incoherent, disjointed speech and behavior
• Blunted emotions and withdrawal from others
• Impaired judgment and intellectual abilities
• Poor impulse control
• An unkempt personal appearance

Schizophrenia affects one percent of adults and generally appears earlier in men than in women. Men usually begin to show symptoms between ages 18 and 25. Women usually begin to show symptoms between ages 25 and 35. Schizophrenia tends to ‘burn out' by the mid-60s. Patients usually do not regain normal mental functioning, but their hallucinations begin to diminish.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. FRIDAY 19 JUNE 2015.

THEME : THE LONG-SUFFERING GOD.

   

MEMORISE : The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance. 2 PETER 3 : 9.

READ : JONAH 3 : 5 – 10.
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on
sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and
he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree
of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock,
taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God:
yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in
their hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger,
that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God
repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it
not.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 KINGS 10 : 1 – 11 : 20 AND LUKE 9 : 28 – 50.
MESSAGE
When the Bible in 1st Corinthians 13:4 says that love suffers long, it aligns
with the character of God and confirms that God is love indeed. Our God is a
longsuffering God. It is His longsuffering that has kept the world intact till
now; otherwise He would have destroyed it many times over. It is however
unfortunate that man tends to take the longsuffering of God for granted.
Many have lost the opportunity of being forgiven because they failed to repent
until death caught up with them. I was praying for a king who was sick in one
city in south-west Nigeria, and the Lord told me to ask him to repent of his
sins if he wanted to be healed. He was reluctant to do so, and he refused to
repent until he gave up the ghost. The Bible in 2 Corinthians 6 : 2 says :
“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation
have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day
of salvation.)”
One city that enjoyed the longsuffering of God and put it to good use was the
city of Nineveh. The longsuffering of God kept this great city alive while God
gave them time to repent. When this longsuffering started waxing thin, He
sent Prophet Jonah to warn them to repent. The Bible in Jonah 1 : 1 – 2 says :
“Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise,
go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is
come up before me.”
What a gracious and merciful God He is! Thank God that it heeded His warning
and repented; from the king to the least person in the city. The longsuffering
of God is demonstrated in the fact that even Jonah was running away from the
great responsibility of warning this city, God still put up with them until His
warning got to them.
To someone reading this devotional today, I want you to know that the purpose
of God’s longsuffering is to give you the opportunity to repent and not be
destroyed. I therefore encourage you to give your total life to Jesus Christ
and stop postponing the day of your salvation, because tomorrow may be too
late.
Jesus is standing at the door of your heart; I encourage you to open it to Him
so that He can come in with His forgiveness, salvation, healing and all-round
peace.

ACTION POINT :
Examine your life and see where you need to turn a new leaf, and do so today
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2015.

THEME : DIVINE COMMENDATION.

  

MEMORISE : His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:
thou hast been faithful over few things, I will make thee ruler over many
things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. MATTHEW 25 : 21.
READ : MATTHEW 25 : 15 – 21.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to
every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same,
and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s
money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with
them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five
talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have
gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter
thou into the joy of thy lord.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 KINGS 8 : 16 – 9 : 37 AND LUKE 9 : 7 – 27.

MESSAGE
You are blessed when a great man commends you for executing an assignment
well. Very much more, when God commends you for a job well-done, you are
exceedingly and greatly blessed. Commendation is the direct opposite of
condemnation. May you not be condemned in this world and in the world to come
in Jesus’ Name. The wealthy man in our Bible reading commended the servant
with five talents who gained five more talents. He also commended the servant
with two talents who gained another two talents. However, the one with one
talent went and hid his talent in the ground, because he felt he was not given
his due to trade with. On the day of reckoning, he was condemned.
Our Lord Jesus Christ promised that He would commend those on His right hand
side on the day of reckoning. In Matthew 25 : 34 He said :
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world;”
What do we do to obtain this divine commendation? One of the things we can do
is to show the compassion of Jesus to the needy: feed the poor, clothe the
naked and house the homeless ( Matthew 25 : 35 – 36 ). Another channel for
receiving divine commendation is exercising uncommon faith. A centurion,
whose servant was sick, demonstrated uncommon faith in the power in God’s
Word, and he received divine commendation for this in Matthew 8 : 10 :
“When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily,
verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”
God celebrates people who exercise faith in Him. This is the reason why the
Bible says it is impossible to please God without faith ( Hebrews 11 : 6 ).
Those who endure to the end in the Christian race will also receive divine
commendation. In Revelation 2 : 26, our Lord Jesus promised that :
“And he that overcometh, and keepth my works unto the end, to him will I give
power over the nations.”
We should believe the promises of our Lord and work towards receiving His
commendation.

ACTION POINT:
Think on what to do here on earth, so that you will be commended in Heaven.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE 2015.

THEME : REST IN THE LORD.

  

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

READ: MATTHEW 6 : 31- 34.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we
drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you.
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 : 2 KINGS 6 : 24 – 8 : 15 AND LUKE 8 : 40 – 9 : 6.

MESSAGE
Nobody cares for us like our Heavenly Father. The devil and the world want to
deceive you to think that they care more than He does, but you must not allow
yourself to be deceived like Eve ( 1Timothy 2 : 14 ). The devil deceived Eve to
think that God was being too high-handed by restricting her to eat of certain
fruits alone ( Genesis 3 : 1 – 5 ).
Jesus expressed the depth of the Father’s love and care for us in our Bible
reading. He consequently admonished us to stop worrying about things that
have already been sorted out by our Heavenly Father. He also declared to us
what our priority should be (Matthew 6:33). He said when we focus on the
priority, the rest of those things that are needful shall be provided for us.
Unfortunately, some children of God are too mindful of the “interest” at the
expense of the “principal”. They are too mindful of the “other things”, which
indeed are necessities, at the expense of our main priority, which is the
kingdom of God. If you genuinely seek the kingdom of God, faithful is He that
has promised; all your other necessities shall be added unto you.
It is amazing to know that God provided what He considered to be our needs,
even before He created us. This shows us that God has ever been mindful of our
basic necessities. In the creation story, God used the first five days of
creation to provide all that man would ever need; after which He created man in
His own image on the sixth day ( Genesis 1 : 26 – 31 ). Man began to worry
about what to eat, drink, wear and what would become of his future after the
Fall ( Genesis 3 : 7 – 8 ).
We can see the goodness of God demonstrated even after the fall of man. In
spite of man’s rebellious act, God still sought after him in the garden. He called
Adam and Eve out of their hiding place, and after rebuking them, He clothed
them properly. Genesis 3 : 21 says :
“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and
clothed them.”
There is need for us as children of God to trust that our Heavenly Father is
mindful of our well-being. If we do, we will not be anxious for anything like
those who don’t know God. We will have peace, joy and contentment ( 1
Timothy 6 : 6 – 8 ). I want you to consider Philippians 4 : 19 as God’s assurance
of His provision for your life. Praise Him for this blessed assurance.

ACTION POINT :
Is there any lack in your life? Tell your Heavenly Father about it today. He will
pleasantly surprise you.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. TUESDAY 16 JUNE 2015.

THEME : WHAT TYPE OF VESSEL ARE YOU?

  

MEMORISE : But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of
silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to
dishonour. 2 TIMOTHY 2 : 20.

READ : 2 TIMOTHY 2 : 19 – 21.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The
Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of
Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also
of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto
honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every
good work.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 KINGS 4 : 38 – 6 : 23 AND LUKE 8 : 22 – 39.

MESSAGE
In the Body of Christ, there are different types of vessels. There are vessels
unto honour and vessels unto dishonour. Also, there are vessels for temporary
use there are those used on permanent basis. Vessels for temporary use are
those used and subsequently dumped; whereas vessels for permanent use are
for keeps. Every child of God must decide whether what type of vessel he or she
wants to be and comport himself or herself as such. Shepherd staffs, like the
rod of Aaron that budded and kept in the ark of covenant, are examples of
vessels for permanent use ( Hebrew 9 : 4 ). But the jawbone of asses, like the
one Samson used and dumped, have no permanent usage ( Judges 15 : 15 – 17 ).
The status of a vessel with respect to being of permanent or temporary use is
determined by the nature and preparation of the vessel. This is why Bible in 2
Timothy 2 : 22 says :
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good
work.”
A vessel of honour is not used and dumped. They stay with Master forever. To
be set apart as such a vessel, the Bible enjoins us to depart from iniquity.
Jesus made a profound promise to all vessel of honour; in John 14 : 2 – 3, He
said :
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told
you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto
myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Irrespective of the level of preparation by a vessel, the user of the vessel has
the prerogative to determine what type of use is applied to. This is the reason
why you as a child of God must be careful of who or what you allow to use you.
Our God does not use and dump vessels of honour, but Satan, sin and the world
do. Romans 6 : 13 says :
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:
but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your
members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
I pray for you that you will be a vessel of honour for the permanent use of God
in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT :
Father, as I purge myself of the works of the flesh, set me apart as a vessel
of honour for Your permanent use in Jesus’ Name.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

LIFE

 

There once lived a very wise man in a small village. He was the head of the local administration and respected by all for his views and opinions on a varied subjects.

People came to him in times of need or just to seek some good advice on the different aspects of life. But ironically his only son was a lazy lad, who whisked away his time eating, sleeping or enjoying with his friends outside.

No amount of advice or even threat made any difference to his attitude. As the years passed and the wise man grew old he got more and more worried about his sons future and realized he needed to give something to his son to take care of himself and the family, so one day he called his only son and said” My son, you are grown up now, you need to understand life and your responsibilities by yourself now.”

Amazed by his father’s sudden anxiety his son said, “Father, you have always been by my side to guide me always, how will I ever manage without you…I will be so lost without you…..” His father drew him close , hugged him and said, ” I want you to find the real purpose of your life and when you find it remember it always and you will lead a life full of happiness and joy.”

The son was greatly amused, what could be this important lesson that could cure all his problems in future, he wondered!

The next day, his father gave him a bag. The son was greatly surprised as he opened the bag, as it had 4 pair of clothes one for each season, some raw food, grains, lentils, some money and a map. As he wondered what he was supposed to do with the stock, his father declared….”I want you to go find a treasure”. I have drawn a map of the place where the treasure is hidden, you need to go and find it.”

Aha, so this is what father was referring to earlier, the real purpose of my life is to find this treasure that will solve all my problems in future, the son thought to himself, greatly pleased at the idea. The next day, he set out early on his journey eager to find the mystical treasure. The place described in the map was far away and he had to cross many rivers, forests, plateaus, and mountains to reach his destination. He prayed he would meet his father, when he returned to show him his findings.

He set out on his travel, days , weeks and months passed, as he travelled, he met a lot of people on the way, some helped him with food, some gave him shelter, he also met thief’s and robbers who tried to cheat him and rob him of his belongings. As he moved through landscapes, slowly the season changed…fall gave way to winter and spring led to summer.

When the weather got harsh, he would pause his journey for some time and again set out moving towards his destination continuously. He wanted to find the treasure before anyone else did.

Finally after a long year, he reached the cliff below which his father has told him he would find his life’s treasure. He spotted the tree, his father had described in the map and started looking around it, and he searched and searched, but found nothing. He spent two days looking and digging for the treasure around that tree, exhausted he decided to go back on the third day.

Tired and devastated by his father’s lie, he headed back home. On his way back, he experienced the same changing landscapes and seasons. But this time he stopped to wonder the blooming of flowers when the spring came, the birds dancing in the falling rain. He witnessed glorious sunsets and revelled in peaceful summer evenings.

He learned to hunt for his own food, sew his own clothes and protect himself from the harsh weather. He learned to calculate the time of the day with the suns position and plan his journey accordingly. He also learned how to protect himself from wild animals and harmful plants and herbs.

He met the same people who had helped him on his way, this time he stopped and spend some days with them to help them with their chores to show his gratitude. He realized how wonderful they were in their sense of trying to help the passers-by on that route without any expectations in return.

When he reached home, he realized he had been out of his house for 2 years now. He went straight to his father’s room and was relieved to see him resting. He walked up to him and slowly whispered to him, “father”, careful not to disturb him in his sleep. The wise man opened his eyes; he got up as he saw his son and embraced him.

“So how was your journey my son”, did you find the treasure” he asked. “The journey was fascinating father,” the son quipped “but forgive me father, as I have disappointed you, I could not find any treasure, at the place described in the map. Maybe somebody took it before I reached.” He was surprised at his own answer that instead of getting angry he was asking for his father’s forgiveness. His father smiled and signalled him to sit down on a chair next to him.

“That is because there was no treasure at that place my son” he answered smiling. “But why did you send me to find it then”, he asked. “I will surely tell you why but first you tell me, how was your journey when you were going to find the treasure. Did you enjoyed the varying landscapes, experienced living in the out on your own amidst new people and changing seasons, did you made good friends on the way?”

Of course not father, I did not get distracted for a second, I had no time to do all that since I was always focused on reaching my destination as soon as possible before anybody else and find the treasure, I had no time to experience the landscape, the weather or to make any friends. But yes I did all this on my way back. I must admit i really enjoyed my journey back, I learned many new skills and mastered the art of survival, so much so, that i forgot the pain of not finding the treasure.”

His father held his hand and said “Exactly my son, you wanted to know how to lead life and find your goals…but if you lead your life going after a goal on this journey called life, you miss out the real treasures on the way because you are so focused on finding the goal. When the truth is that life has no goal at all, other than to just live it and grow with it each day.”

Moral: It is when we set out in life without trying to associate any meaning or greater purpose to it that we find the treasure of true joy in each moment.

“To be what you were born to be and to explore your full potential each day is life’s only goal”.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. MONDAY 15 JUNE 2015.

THEME : THE BREAD OF STONE.

  

MEMORISE: Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy
both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and
the Lord for the body. 1 CORINTHIANS 6 : 13.

READ: MATTHEW 4 : 1 – 4.
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the
devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an
hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God,
command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but
by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 KINGS 3 : 1 – 4 : 37 AND LUKE 8 : 4 – 22.

MESSAGE
Food is one of the earliest weapons the devil deployed to destroy humanity
( Genesis 3 : 6 ). It’s amazing that he still succeeds in using this weapon to
destroy the destinies of many. He even deployed this weapon against our Lord
Jesus Christ. After our Lord had fasted for forty days and nights, naturally,
He became hungry. The devil, sensing an opportunity, came to Him saying :
“If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”
Matthew 4 : 3b.
Unlike the first Adam who fell for the enticement of Satan, Jesus overcame the
devil by the word of God (Matthew 4:4). He used the arrow of Deuteronomy 8 :
3 against the devil. Thank God He knew the word; of course, He is the Word of
God. Beloved, the bread of stone when eaten will never digest; so, beware of
the bread of stone in whatever form it presents itself.
The bread of stone can come in any form. For example, after four years of
joblessness as a first-class graduate, the devil may dangle an employment
opportunity at you that require you sleeping with the personnel manager to
secure the position. “Do it just once and get out of the labour market”, the
devil may suggest. It is a bread of stone, don’t fall for it. It may also come in
the form of a government minister or the secretary of a government
establishment luring you to join their occult group to guarantee the steady
flow of contracts. The devil may say “it is just a networking club”. Please
don’t join, because if you do, you may be turning stone to bread to satisfy
your hunger.
Remember the case of Esau. The Bible in Hebrews 11 : 16 – 17 says this about
him :
“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel
of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would
have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of
repentance, through he sought it carefully with tears.”
Your adoption as a child of God guarantees you of meat, it is your birthright.
Don’t allow anybody or any situation to steal that away from you.
The devil will attempt to justify why you need to turn stone to bread to satisfy
your hunger, but remember he is a liar. Such “bread” will never digest in your
stomach; it will produce spiritual ulcer and death. May the Lord be with your
soul as you wait patiently for God’s time and means to meet your needs.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, grant me grace to counter the deceit of the devil whenever he comes
around to tempt me. As Jesus overcame, help me to overcome also.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.
 

FRIDAY HEALTH DISCUSSION: TOPIC: ANXIETY

ANXIETY

 

Anxiety is one of the diseases killing people these days; The scripture in Philippians 4:6-8 says "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

The scripture understand the fact that humans are bound to think of certain things in their life but we should not forget that thinking or anxiety is not the solution to all these.

 

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” 

Let's look at ANXIETY in Medical world.

What to Know About Anxiety?

Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. It is a feeling of fear and apprehension about what’s to come. We all feel it at times; the first day of school, going to a job interview, or giving a speech cause most people to feel fearful and nervous. But if your feelings of anxiety are extreme, last for longer than six months, and are interfering with your life, you may have an anxiety disorder.

Who Gets Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders can affect anyone at any age. Anxiety disorders are the most common form of emotional disorder.
If you have an anxiety disorder, you may also be depressed. Some people with anxiety disorders abuse alcohol or other drugs in an effort to feel better. This may provide temporary relief, but can ultimately make the condition worse. It may be necessary to treat an alcohol or drug problem before the anxiety can be addressed.

What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

Anxiety is hard to describe. You might feel like you’re standing in the middle of a crumbling building with nothing but an umbrella to protect you. Or you might feel like you’re holding onto a merry-go-round going 65 mph and can’t do anything to slow it down. You might feel butterflies in your stomach, or your heart might be racing. You could experience nightmares, panic, or painful thoughts or memories that you can’t control. You may have a general feeling of fear and worry, or you may fear a specific place or event.

What Is the Difference Between Anxiety and an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety is a feeling of fear you have when you must do something stressful. It’s normal to feel anxious about moving to a new place, starting a new job, or taking a test. Normal anxiety is unpleasant, but it may motivate you to work harder and do a better job. Normal anxiety is a feeling that comes and goes, but does not interfere with your everyday life.
In the case of an anxiety disorder, the feeling of fear may be with you all the time. It is intense and sometimes debilitating. This type of anxiety may cause you to stop doing things you enjoy. In extreme cases, it may prevent you from entering an elevator or crossing the street or even leaving your home. If left untreated, the anxiety will keep getting worse.

What Are the Types of Anxiety Disorders?

An anxiety disorder can take many forms, including:

• panic disorder: characterized by bouts of intense fear or terror that develop quickly and unexpectedly
• phobia: excessive fear of a specific object, situation, or activity
• social anxiety disorder: extreme fear of being judged by others in social situations
• obsessive-compulsive disorder: recurring irrational thoughts that lead you to perform specific, repeated behavior
• separation anxiety disorder: fear of being away from home or loved ones
• hypochondriasis: anxiety about your health
• post-traumatic stress disorder: anxiety following a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one, war, or being the victim of a crime

What Is the Outlook for Someone with an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorders can be treated with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Some people who have a mild anxiety disorder or a fear of something they can easily avoid decide to live with the condition and to not seek treatment.
It is important to understand that anxiety disorder is an illness and can be treated, even in severe cases. Treatment may not result in a complete cure, but in most cases, the symptoms can be controlled so you can live a normal life.

In Isaiah 41:10 the bible says, "Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Fear delivers you to the hand of what you fear; if you are scare of losing your job, you will soon lose it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding....
 You cannot help yourself, you need God in all areas of your life.

“The more you pray, the less you'll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You'll feel more patient and less pressured.”

kindly share if you find it useful............

 

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. FRIDAY 12 JUNE 2015.

 

THEME : BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN.

  

MEMORISE :
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but
the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2 CORINTHIANS 7 : 10.
READ : MATTHEW 5 : 4.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 KINGS 20 : 26 – 21 : 29 AND LUKE 6 : 46 – 7 : 17.

MESSAGE
The word of God is full of mysteries. Our Bible reading today reveals one of
such mysteries. How can mourning, which is an expression of deep sorrow,
become a blessing? The answer lies in our memory verse which reveals two
types of sorrow: godly sorrow and the sorrow of the world. There are lots of
blessings associated with godly sorrow. One of these is that it produces
repentance which brings about salvation. Godly sorrow can be experienced as a
result of conviction of the Holy Spirit ( 1 Corinthians 14 : 24 – 25 ) or through
the Father’s chastening. The godly sorrow that results from the Father’s
chastening, blesses its recipient with the fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12 :
11 says :
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:
nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto
them which are exercised thereby.”
There are examples in the Bible of those who mourned for their sins, and for
this, received pardon and justification. The city of Nineveh is an example of
this ( Jonah 3 ). After Jonah preached the message of doom to the inhabitants
of Nineveh, the Bible reports that the king of that city abandoned his throne,
put on sackcloth and sat in ashes. He then commanded that everybody,
including animals, should embark on a fast. The result of their mourning is
evidence in Jonah 3 : 10 :
“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God
repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it
not.”
The publican in the parable of Jesus in Luke 18 : 9 – 14 is another example. This
man mourned by bowing his head down like a bulrush, beating on his breast and
asking for God’s mercy. The result of his mourning can be seen in Luke 18:14a
:
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other:”
I prophesy to you that in the Name of Jesus Christ, your days of mourning are
over. It shall be well with you because the Bible in Psalm 30 : 5 says :
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may
endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

PRAYER POINT:
Father, I confess my sins to You; have mercy on me and let my morning of joy
come now
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.

RCCG OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
THURSDAY 11 JUNE 2015.

THEME : PRODUCING CHILDREN OF GOD.

   

MEMORISE: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
ROMANS 10 : 17.

READ: 1 JOHN 3 : 1 – 3.
1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because
it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall
be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall
see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is
pure.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 KINGS 18 : 41 – 20 : 25 AND LUKE 6 : 24 – 45.

MESSAGE
Children of God are produced by the power in the Word of God. The reason why
it seems genuine children of God are scarce nowadays despite the increase in
the number of churches and increase in church attendance is because the
Church is suffering from a famine of the genuine Word of God. It is by faith
that we become genuine children of God. However, this faith does not come by
the wisdom of man; neither does it come by the philosophical sayings of the
learned or the motivational words of orators. 1 Corinthians 2 : 4 – 5 says :
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith
should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
The world, especially devotees of certain religious, still wonder up till now how
it is possible for a human being to claim that he or she is a child of God. Such
people look at divine paternity with the mind of the flesh, and so they cannot
understand or accept the mystery of adoption which empowers us to become
sons of God through Christ Jesus. Even to us who have been conferred this
prestigious status of being children of God, it is still a mystery. John the
beloved expressed this mystery with awe in 1st John 3 : 1 :
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because
it knew him not.”
The Word of God came to Mary and produced the Son of God, when she had not
known any man ( Luke 1 : 30 – 35 ). This is a template for us. The mystery of
divine adoption lies in the Word of God. For us to produce children of God from
children of disobedience, we need to expose them to the undiluted Word of God
that will produce the required faith for their adoption. Romans 10 : 17 says :
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
We should therefore follow the pattern of the early apostles, who produced
children of God through the Word of God. We see this manifested in Acts 4 : 4 :
“Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the
men was about five thousand.”

KEY POINT:
There is power in numbers. For the kingdom of God to be firmly established on
earth, there must be a tremendous increase in the number of God’s children.
AUTHOR : Pst. E . A ADEBOYE.