October 11, 2023

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 12th October, 2023

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 12th October. 2023

 

THEME: THE WAY WHERE THERE IS NO WAY

MEMORIZE
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

 

Read: Exodus 14:19-31
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
31 And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

 

MESSAGE

Jesus is the Way where there is no way. John 11:39-44 tells us the story of Lazarus. He died and had been buried for 4 days. When Jesus and His disciples got to the tomb and He asked that the stone be rolled away, Lazarus’ sister said to Jesus that it was too late already. She was confident that if Jesus had come before her brother died, Jesus would have healed him. Her statement also implies that she felt that if Jesus had arrived when he had just died like in the case of Jairus’ daughter, or just before he was buried like in the case of the widow of Nain’s son, Jesus would have been able to raise Lazarus from the dead, but since he was already dead and buried for 4 days; there is no way out. Jesus Christ, the Way where there is no way however, simply asked that the stone be rolled away and then called Lazarus out of the tomb.

There was one of my sons whose country I was visiting. I had expected to see him at the airport, but he wasn’t there. I asked after him and was told that he was in the hospital dying. I went to see him in the hospital and was taken to a special ward where hopeless cases – people who the doctors were sure would soon die, were kept. I prayed for him that Saturday and by the following Wednesday, my son was discharged, completely whole. Beyond his healing, however, everyone in that ward with him also got discharged that day.

There comes a time when a person could look at all the options in front of him, and none of them would look like a way out of his problem. At that time, the only One who can make a way where there is none is Jesus. When the Israelites were between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, humanly speaking, there was no right decision to take. They would die if they turned to fight the Egyptians because the Israelites had no military training or weapons. The Red Sea was in front of them, so there was no question of moving forward. It was clear that their fate was in the hands of Pharaoh, but that was before The Way stepped in. The moment Moses cried to God about their situation, a way was created where there had been none and the Egyptians were destroyed in their stead.

Surrender all to Jesus today and call upon Him to make a way for you where there is no way, and He will answer you.

 

Prayer Point:
Father, please make a way for me, even where there is no way, in Jesus’ name.

 

Bible in One year:
Matthew 27-28

HYMN

1  All hail the power of Jesus’ Name!

Let angels prostrate fall;

Bringforth the royal diadem,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Bringforth the royal diadem,

and crown Him Lord of all.

2. Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre,
and as they tune it, fall
Before His face Who tunes their choir,
and crown Him Lord of all.
Before His face Who tunes their choir,
and crown Him Lord of all.

3. Crown Him, ye morning stars of light,
Who fixed this floating ball;
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might,
and crown Him Lord of all.
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might,
and crown Him Lord of all.

4. Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God,
who from His altar call;
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod,
and crown Him Lord of all.
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod,
and crown Him Lord of all.

5. Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race,
ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
and crown Him Lord of all.

6. Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line,
Whom David Lord did call,
The God incarnate, Man divine,
and crown Him Lord of all,
The God incarnate, Man divine,
and crown Him Lord of all.

7. Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget
the wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at His feet,
and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet,
and crown Him Lord of all.

8. Let every tribe and every tongue
before Him prostrate fall
And shout in universal song
the crownèd Lord of all.
And shout in universal song
the crownèd Lord of all

 

Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, is the author of Open Heavens Daily Devotional. One of the most widely read devotionals in the world is this one, which is published every day. It is intended to keep you inspired, encouraged, and elevated by supplying you with God’s Word on a regular basis. This Open Heavens Devotional offers powerful Christian resources that enable readers to achieve their destiny. You are encouraged to get closer to God and give Jesus your entire being.

 

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Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 11th October, 2023

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 11th October. 2023

 

TOPIC: THE WAY UPWARD 2

MEMORIZE
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6

 

BIBLE READING JOHN 14:1-6
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 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.
3 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.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: MATTHEW 25-26

 

MESSAGE

In today’s Bible reading, Jesus promised to come and take us to be with Him where He is.
The question now is, “Where is He?”
The disciples saw Him when He was ascending, so we can see from their account where He went in Acts 1:9-10: ‘And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel”.
Clearly, Jesus ascended to heaven.
Now, He said in John 14:6 that no one can get to the Father in heaven except through Him.
This is very clear. Many people say there are many ways to heaven; that is a lie.
Jesus is the one and only way to heaven.
No religion or belief outside of Jesus Christ can get you to heaven.
Now, who are those whom Jesus Christ will take upwards to heaven when they leave this world?
Ephesians 5:27 tells us: “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
The only people whom Jesus will take to heaven to be with Him are those who are without spots or wrinkles.
If you are unholy, when you leave this earth, Jesus will not take you upward with Him to Heaven, and the other option is to go to hell.
There are many people who call the name of Christ now, but when they shut their eyes here on earth, they will wake up in hell.
Your attendance in Church is not a guarantee of your entry into heaven; the fact that you are a zealous worker or even a Pastor does not mean that you will go to heaven.
Only an intimate relationship with Jesus – The Way upward, can guarantee your entrance into heaven.
Eternity is not something to play games with.
Some will be spending eternity in heaven with Jesus and His angels, enjoying forever, while others will be spending eternity in the lake of fire with the devil and his demons, suffering forever.
It is time to stop the pretence and truly surrender to Jesus.
It is time to put religion aside and have a real relationship with
Jesus Christ. It is time to stop being a Christian only on Sundays; let your lifestyle always reflect Jesus.
It is time to be on the way to heaven, in all sincerity of heart.

 

REFLECTION:
If you were to die today, where would you go – Heaven or hell?

 

Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, is the author of Open Heavens Daily Devotional. One of the most widely read devotionals in the world is this one, which is published every day. It is intended to keep you inspired, encouraged, and elevated by supplying you with God’s Word on a regular basis. This Open Heavens Devotional offers powerful Christian resources that enable readers to achieve their destiny. You are encouraged to get closer to God and give Jesus your entire being.

 

Usage Right: This website’s content was posted with the best of intentions. Please CLICK HERE to email us and make a complaint if you believe the copyright has been violated or infringed.

Dunamis Seeds of Destiny Devotional for Wednesday 11th October, 2023

Dunamis Seeds of Destiny for Wednesday 11th Oct. 2023

 

Topic: The Fruit Of Bitterness

SCRIPTURE: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: There is no bitterness without consequence.

 

MESSAGE

The Scripture and several events of life have confirmed that bitterness is a root that generates corresponding bitter fruits. Every time bitterness is allowed in the heart of a person, it develops fruits. So, there is no bitterness without consequences; the decision to be bitter is the decision to face some bitter consequences.

A nurse who was suffering from blood cell cancer once went to see a Christian hematologist, a specialist in blood diseases. Now, we need to take note of this: blood is made from bone marrow; and the Bible says that…a broken spirit drieth the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

Also Read: Seeds Of Destiny 10 October 2023: Your Passion And Your Portion

So, the hematologist said to her, “Is there anyone who offended you?” And the nurse remembered the experience she had when she was a little child. Her mother was sick, and her father sent her to call the village doctor. Before she could come back, the mother had died. When she came back, nobody explained anything to her; all she saw was that her mother was arranged inside a box (coffin) and covered.

The question in her tiny mind was: why is daddy suffocating mummy?” Before she could recover from that, her mother was buried. She could not understand what was happening.

Afterwards, the father married another wife who began to maltreat her. That ugly experience remained in her heart until adulthood. She became bitter against her father. Then the bitterness manifested physically as blood cell cancer. The doctor said to her, “It is true that your father did not tell you what happened, but forgive him.”

Eventually, she forgave her father, and within six weeks, every trace of cancer died. All she needed to do was to release forgiveness.

Beloved, bitterness in the heart breaks the life of a man (Proverbs 15:13). The root of bitterness will produce the fruits of diverse afflictions – mental afflictions, physical afflictions, etc.

Beloved, avoid the temptation to harbour bitterness in your heart.

 

REMEMBER THIS: There is no bitterness without consequences.

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

Ask God for the grace to release whoever you are bitter with.
Forgive and pray for the person you are holding in your heart.
Put a call through to someone you are bitter with where necessary, and settle.
PRAYER: Lord, I receive the grace to forgive those who hurt me. Let your love flow through me Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

 

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS.

 

DAILY BIBLE READING: Matthew 15-17.

 

QUOTE: Our ability or inability to forgive, affects our lives in eternity. Culled from the Book, “AM I BITTER?” By Dr (Mrs.) Becky Paul-Enenche.

 

AMAZING FACT: A bee could visit 50 to 100 flowers on a single trip for nectar.

 

PROPHETIC DECLARATION/WORD: The spell of bitterness is broken off your life. The grace to forgive is released, in Jesus’ Name.

 

The Seeds of Destiny Devotional is a highly spiritual resource and life transforming devotional that is widely read across the world. It is written by Pastors Paul and Becky Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastors of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (Glory Dome)

 

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Rhapsody of Realities Devotional For Wednesday 11th October, 2023

Rhapsody of Realities Devotional for Wednesday 11th Oct. 2023

 

TOPIC: YOUR TONGUE IS THE COMPASS

 

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body (James 3:2).

 

MESSAGE

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue….” It parallels what the Master said in Matthew 12:37, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Through your thoughts, your character is formed, but it’s expressed through your words. Your mouth-work is your life.

As revealed in our opening verse, Christian perfection or maturity is expressed primarily in your communication. If you want to go in the right direction in life, your tongue is the compass. If you offend in words, you’re sunk; but if your communication is wholesome, your life will be great. Your speech controls you. Proverbs 15:4 says, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life….” I love the way Peter puts it in 1 Peter 3:10; it says, “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.” In other words, maintain the right confession.

Your mouth is where your blessing is. Romans 10:10 says, “…with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” It’s a principle. God said to Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night…” (Joshua 1:8). That means keep affirming the Word.

No matter what’s happening around you, keep the Word on your lips. The Bible says, “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up…” (Job 22:29). Again, the emphasis is on what you say. When things are rough and tough, you’re not to wait to be lifted; you have a lifting power; it’s in your mouth.

What is it that you want? It’s all in your mouth. That’s the compass with which you steer your life aright, in the direction of God’s perfect will. Blessed be God!

PRAYER / CONFESSION
I have a wholesome tongue; my words are sculpted in line with God’s perfect will and direction for my life. I walk in divine health, prosperity, victory, success and financial abundance, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

FURTHER STUDY
Matthew 12:37 AMPC; Mark 11:23

 

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Colossians 4:2-18; Isaiah 52-53

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 5:10-18; 1 Kings 17-18

 

Rhapsody of Realities is a globally recognized devotional that is highly spiritual and impactful written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, who is the Founder of Christ Embassy International. Also Known as Love World Incorporated or Believers’ Loveworld. A unique devotional, Rhapsody of Reality is a wonderful love letter from God to you that has a message of eternal life! It is otherwise referred to as the, “Messenger Angel,” This devotional is a daily life guide intended to help you gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word and advance spiritually.

 

Usage Right: This website’s content was posted with the best of intentions. Please CLICK HERE to email us and make a complaint if you believe the copyright has been violated or infringed.