Open Heavens Daily Devotional – To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice [15th July, 2019]

Topic: To Obey is better than Sacrifice 

Memorise: “And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” – 2 Corinthians 10:6

Read: 1 Samuel 15:17-22 (KJV)

17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 3-5, Ezekiel 17:7-21

MESSAGE:

Disobedience has the evil tag of being the first sin man committed. The deadly mystery of this sin is that disobedient people more often than not never accept blame for their act. They tend to give excuses and blame other people or “factors beyond their control”. This is what Adam did when God questioned him concerning his disobedience. Genesis 3:12 says:

“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”

Unfortunately, his excuse did not clear him of responsibility, nor did it deter God from punishing him. Another person who gave excuse for disobedience is King Saul. In today’s Bible reading, when he was confronted with his sin, he tried to justify himself by using the good act of sacrifice as an excuse for his disobedience. In response to his attempt at justifying himself, God’s prophet told him in 1 Samuel 15:22:

“…Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Let us take a closer look at King Saul’s excuse for disobeying God. 1 Samuel 15:21 says:

“But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.”

Saul’s excuse was that it was not him, but the people who took the spoil. This makes one wonder who was leading who in the battle against the Amalekites. He was just trying to pass the buck. He felt he could appease God or His prophet, Samuel, by presenting a big offering in the form of sacrifice:

Beloved, in what areas are you disobeying God? You better repent today and cultivate the habit of living by the dictates of the infallible word of God. No amount of service you render to God can take the place of obeying His word. No amount of money given as seed offerings, tithes or donations can justify indulging in fraudulent practices at your place of work. May the Lord give you the grace to obey His commandments to the letter in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point:

Father, please help me to obey you willingly and completely as a show of my gratitude to You for Your goodness and mercy over me.

Hymn: Trust and Obey

1 When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2 Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3 Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4 But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5 Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Open Heaven 15 July 2019 Monday Daily Devotional guide was 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. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 15 July 2019 Monday Daily Devotional.

Rhapsody Of Realities Devotional – He Doesn't Take Away By Death [15th July, 2019]

Topic: He Doesn’t Take Away By Death

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:26).

In most religious circles, when funerals are being conducted, it’s common to hear the officiating minister say, “The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.” But the Lord doesn’t “take away” by death. He’s the giver or author of life, and death isn’t from Him.

The Bible lets us know that death is an enemy, and refers to it as the last enemy that shall be destroyed. However, it’s already been defeated as the scriptures show us.

God never takes anybody away by death. The only people He took away from this world, He took them alive. Enoch, the Bible says, walked with God and suddenly, he was taken away from the earth by the Spirit of God—alive into heaven (Genesis 5:24). Elijah was also taken away alive (read 2 Kings 2:11).

What about Jesus? He too was taken away alive! And for those who believe in Him, they’re going to be taken away alive. Hallelujah! 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” This is how God “takes away”; it’s not by death. It’s called a translation.

Moreover, those whom God took away knew ahead of time. Enoch, the Bible says, before his translation, had the testimony that he pleased God. Elijah knew he was to be taken away and he discussed it with Elisha (2 Kings 2:9-11). The Lord Jesus was in a meeting with His disciples, after discussing with them, He levitated (Acts 1:9). He had told them He was going to leave that way.

For the rest of us, we’ll have the same witness in our spirits that our departure is very close, so much so, we’ll be talking about it. There’ll be an urgency in the spirit and we’ll preach the Gospel with greater fervency, compelling men to believe in Jesus Christ. While we’re at it, suddenly, the trumpet will sound, and we’ll all be taken out of this world. Glory to God!

PRAYERThank you, precious Father, for you have abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Thank you for granting me eternal life in Christ, by which I live eternally in your presence, and for your glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:2 Timothy 1:8-10; Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:Acts 23:12-35 & Job 40-42

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:Luke 9:1-9 & Joshua 11

Rhapsody of Realities 15th July 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.

Rhapsody Of Realities Devotional – The Church is Called "The Way" [7th July, 2019]

Topic: The Church Is Called “The Way”

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter againstthe disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way … (Acts 9:1-2).

From the underlined portion of the scripture above, we see that the Church was already being called “The Way” in the days of the apostles. It’s very interesting that the Church would be called “the way,” after Jesus said in John 14:6, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

This shows our inextricable oneness with Him. As He is, so are we in this world. We are today, the WAY to the Father, the WAY to His presence. Hallelujah! In Acts 22:4, the Apostle Paul, while narrating his persecution of the Church, said, “I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison” (NIV). Then again, in Acts 24:14, he said, “However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect…” (NIV).

They called the early Church, “The way.” The Lord describing Himself said, “I am the way” (John 14:6)! A new and living way was revealed in Jesus; and because we’re now the bearers of His message, we’ve become the way.

This is too much for the religious mind, but it’s what the Word shows. We’re the way to the Father! We’re not only to show men the presence of God, but also ordained to usher them in. Blessed be God! Obadiah 1:21 says, “And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.”

Note: it doesn’t say, “A saviour shall come up on mount Zion.” Rather, it says, “Saviours,” meaning there’d be many saviours from Zion, and we—the Church—are the saviours from Zion. We’re bearers of the divine order, carriers and dispensers of eternal verities. Praise God forevermore!

PRAYERHeavenly Father, thank you for qualifying me to be an ambassador of Christ, showing men and women the way to the Kingdom. I recognize that I’m the hope and light of the world; I function in this ministry of reconciliation with everything that I am and with all that I have, ushering many in my world into the Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:Matthew 10:5-8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Hebrews 10:19-20

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:Acts 18:24-19:1-7 & Job 12-14

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:Luke 7:11-17 & Joshua 1-2

Rhapsody of Realities 7th July 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional – Ask, Ask & Ask Again [7th July, 2019]

Topic: Ask, Ask & Ask Again 

Memorise: “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” – John 16:24

Read: Matthew 7:7-11 (KJV)

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 21-22, Ezekiel 12:21-13:7

MESSAGE:

Towards the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus called His disciples aside and said to them in John 16:24:

“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

I believe the disciples were shocked to hear Him say this, because they must surely have been praying. What the Lord was actually saying to them was that they had not been asking rightly. This is the case with many children of God today. When we think we are praying, we are actually complaining, and some of us are even weary in prayer, contrary to the Lord’s teaching in Luke chapter 18. There is a difference between prayer and complaining. Some of us even accuse God in our prayers! We issue Him queries and present a long list of our good works that should compel Him to do our bidding. This should not be so. Let us learn from the experience of the children of Israel in the wilderness. The Lord said to them in Numbers 14:27-28:

“27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. 28Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:”

When we ask God to do something that does not align with His will, He does not consider that to be a prayer. We cannot coerce or manipulate Him into doing things that are against His integrity and honor. If you overhear some people’s prayers, you will be amazed. Some pray that God should kill their “troublesome” spouses so that they can be free to marry someone else! This is not prayer; it is witchcraft! Praying contrary to the will of God is nothing but lusting after ungodliness. If you are under distress due to the wickedness of fellow human beings, it is enough to ask God for deliverance from all enemies; He knows what to do to deliver you. Today, I want you to pray like you have never prayed before, asking God to accomplish His will concerning whatever situation you are currently in. Ask Him to provide for you, but don’t tell Him how. Tell him to promote you but don’t tell Him how. Ask for your long awaited spouse but don’t prescribe for Him. God will answer your prayers today in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point:

Father, as I present my petitions today, let Your Holy Spirit help me to ask according to Your will, in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Open Heaven 6 July 2019 – Give, Give & Give Again

Hymn 8: My Faith Looks Up To Thee

1 My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,t
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2 May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3 While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4 When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

Open Heaven 7 July 2019 Sunday Daily Devotional guide was 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. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 7 July 2019 Sunday Daily Devotional.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional – Give, Give & Give Again [6th July, 2019]

Topic: Give, Give & Give Again 

Memorise: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” – Luke 6:38

Read: Proverbs 3:27-28 (KJV)

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 18-20, Ezekiel 12:7-20

MESSAGE

These days, many children of God do not pay attention to giving. For many, their experience with false prophets has made them averse to giving, while some are now tired of giving because they have been ignorantly sowing on infertile ground and have not reaped their expected harvest. Have you chosen not to give for one reason or the order? Whatever the reason may be, your experience does not change the validity of God’s word. If the word of God is not working for you, you must have gotten something wrong somewhere. Examine you past actions on giving and make appropriate adjustments where required. The question is, how much and how often should you give?

According to Proverbs 3:27-28, we are to help anyone who is in need, just as Jesus taught in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). When I was in kindergarten, my teacher taught us a song which says “whosoever you have the power to help is your neighbor; so help him or her”. Furthermore, this scripture teaches that we should not postpone the good deeds of today till tomorrow. Tomorrow might be too late! The story was told of a man who delayed to help his younger brother get the medical treatment he needed. When he later made up his mind to help, he took the money to the hospital, only to meet his brother’s lifeless body on the way to the mortuary! His help was late. In other words, giving is time-bound. Esau is another example of someone who gave belatedly. By the time he brought his father the meal needed to procure his blessing, someone else had carted the blessing away already. We must be quick to respond to calls to give, especially when it comes to projects that have to do with God’s kingdom. Another lesson we should learn from our Bible text is that for as long as you still have anything to give, you must not stop giving. God is telling us today to give, give and give again. The good thing about giving is that the giver can never lack something to give. Proverbs 11:24 says:

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”

Beloved, give, give and give again, because you will be adequately rewarded.

Action Point:

Reach out to missionaries in the fields, find out their needs and give what you can to help the spread of Christ’s gospel.

Hymn 5: Let Others See Jesus in You

1 While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.

2 Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

3 Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.

Open Heaven 6 July 2019 Saturday Daily Devotional guide was 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. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 6 July 2019 Saturday Daily Devotional.

Rhapsody Of Realities Devotional – The Right Time To Fast And Pray [6th July, 2019]

Topic: The Right Time To Pray And Fast

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? (Matthew 9:14).

In admonishing His disciples on fasting, the Lord Jesus cautioned, “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:16). The Lord’s remark was both thought-provoking and enlightening.

In the preceding verse 15, He had said, “…Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” Here, He was referring to Himself returning to the Father in heaven. Moreover ever since His ascension, the Church has fasted—the disciples and apostles of the early Church fasted. Prayer and fasting have been part of our spiritual activity as Christians. We fast when necessary. “When is it necessary to fast?” someone might ask.

First, when your local church or congregation proclaims a prayer and fasting programme, that’s a time to fast. Never isolate yourself from such a call, because it’s part of our corporate fellowship. There’re things we do corporately, such as corporate worship, and many other things that are intended for spiritual growth and edification; prayer and fasting are among them.

Secondly, when you choose to fast and pray, or the Holy Spirit leads you to do so, don’t ignore it. That’s another great opportunity, especially if it’s the Spirit guiding you; and you’ll know when He’s the One leading you to fast.

Some people schedule prayer and fasting as a means for their own spiritual exercise, and that’s excellent. So, in whichever way and at whatever time you’re guided to fast, take it seriously. Make fasting and praying a part of your personal spiritual routine.

If, in your local assembly, the announcement is made for a praying and fasting session, don’t unilaterally decide you’re not going to be a part of it. Don’t, on your own, choose when you’ll break your fast. That’ll be wrong. Be disciplined to always get involved, being aware that the benefits are essential to your spiritual growth (1 Timothy 4:8).

Remember that through fasting and praying, your effectiveness in the things of the Spirit are improved. Your ability to hear and receive from God is sharpened, and you’re more attuned to the finer signals and instruction of the Spirit that you need for a higher level of life; a life of continuous glory and success!

CONFESSIONI’m sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, and His guidance in my life for my spiritual growth and development. My acts of service in the house of God will inspire commitment, growth and development of younger Christians, such that there will be no cause for stumbling for them, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:Nehemiah 1:4; Acts 13:2; Matthew 26:38-44

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:Acts 18:1-23 & Job 9-11

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:Luke 7:1-10 & Deuteronomy 34

Rhapsody of Realities 6th July 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.

Rhapsody Of Realities Devotional– Get A "Word-Bath" [5th July, 2019]

Topic: Get A "Word-Bath"

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you (John 15:3).

Imagine a Christian waking up in the morning and turning on the TV to discover that the programme airing happens to be "Pastor Chris Teaching." He gives it full attention till the end and then the next programme comes up, this time, it's an unwholesome one for a Christian. Even so, he continues to watch.

When he's done watching this, and several others after it (all with unwholesome contents), he's too tired to pray or study the Word. He feels condemned and even begins to feel too "dirty" to go to church, thinking he'd need to "clean up" first. He could start praying, "Oh God, please revive me."

For this Christian, it's now very necessary to go to Church! His unedifying action could slow down his progress spiritually if it continues, but he needs an urgent Word-bath! No one is ever "too dirty" for God. In our opening verse, Jesus said, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3).

It's the ministry of the Word to cleanse you of sin, guilt, and all unrighteousness. So, don't stay at home when you ought to be in Church because you thought you did something wrong that made you "too dirty" for God. Go to Church! He'll clean you up! He does it through the Word.

Jesus didn't come for perfect men. Rather, He came to make men perfect. He specializes in changing imperfect people and bringing them to perfection. He raised an "unstable" person like Peter and transformed an injurious personality like Paul, who both became mighty apostles of the Gospel. If He'd do that, then He can cleanse and train you to become the best of you for His glory.

Submit yourself to the cleansing power of God's Word. Study and meditate on the Scriptures. You might say, "But I don't know where to begin to even read the Bible." This devotional gives you a head start. Keep studying it, including all the indicated scriptural references.

In addition, meticulously follow either the one-year or two-year daily Bible-reading plan. Before long, you'll see a remarkable transformation in your life, and those around you will also attest to the grace and glory of God evident in your life. Praise God!

CONFESSIONSin has no dominion over me. I walk in perfection and excellence, producing works and fruits of righteousness. The Word of God has the mastery over my mind, and I have the victory over sin and its attendant consequences. I live triumphantly, walking in righteousness and in the wisdom of Christ. Blessed be God!

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:1-2

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:Acts 17:16-34 & Job 6-8

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 6:39-49 & Deuteronomy 33

Rhapsody of Realities 5th July 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int'l.