THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: MUST READ

Galatians 5:22-23tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a Christian. The Bible makes it clear that everyone receives the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9;1 Corinthians 12:13;Ephesians 1:13-14).

MEEKNESS: AN EASY ACCESS TO THE POWER OF GOD

This is an extremely difficult word to translate into English, because we think "meek" implies weakness. Sometimes it is translated (NKJV) "gentleness," but that also implies weakness.

The best way to know the meaning of a word is to study passages where it is used. As we do, we will see meekness is an attitude or quality of heart [1 Peter 3:4] whereby a person willingly accepts and submits without resistance to the will and desires of someone else. The meek person is not self-willed - not continually concerned with self, his own ways, ideas, and wishes. He is willing to put himself in second place and submit himself to achieve what is good for others. Meekness is the opposite of self-will, self-interest, and self-assertiveness.

Open Heaven of Friday 26th July 2013:Don’t Inhibit This Chemistry

Memorise: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4

Read: John 15:1-5
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. John 15:1

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2

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

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5


Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 17-19


Message
To succeed in life and in ministry as a believer, you must understand the relationship that exists between you and the Lord. You need to fully understand your rights, privileges and obligations. Today’s reading tells us that there is a tree-branch relationship between us and the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the tree – the Vine while we are the branches. If all is well with the tree, all will be well with the branches, all other things being equal. What passes through the Vine also passes through the branches. If the Vine is fruitful, the branches too will bear fruit. For a branch to be unfruitful while connected to a fruitful vine is a rarity except the branch is sick or detached from the vine. No branch produces fruits on its own except through the vine. As a believer in Christ, whatever is produced through you – be it physical, spiritual or otherwise is by the power working in you, which is Jesus Christ.

Once in a while, it is possible for a branch to be sick. According to Psalm 107:17, sin brings affliction. The branch that goes into sin will end up in affliction. But when this happens, Psalm 107:20 says as the branch repents, God will send His Word to deliver healing to the sick. Who is that Word? John 1:1,14 says it is none other than the Word that was in the beginning, who was made flesh – the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, John 6:51 says to live, you must eat of the flesh. Beloved, being a branch of the vine and a partaker of the flesh and blood of the Lord you must know that there is a divine chemistry operating in you, which you must never allow sin to inhibit. While you live free from sin and you take the Holy communion in faith, John 6:56 says you and Jesus will co-exist in each other. This is a very powerful revelation. If you walk in this revelation, the divine nature becomes manifest in your human nature. Your weakness will be absorbed by His strength. Your limitation will be absorbed by His super-abundance, and you will gradually manifest his person. The chemistry that connects you with Jesus is so profound that you must not allow anything external to inhibit it. As long as your relationship with Him is unbroken, you will be able to access all that God has for you. Guard your link with Jesus jealously.

ACTION POINT
List 20 things that can happen or cannot happen to you knowing that Christ is in you and you are in Him.

CHRISTIAN 5EX RULES: MUST READ

Our sexual actions should be directed to our spouse for his or her benefit and pleasure.

-Sex is a chance to give ourselves to our spouse in a uniquely loving and intimate way.
-Each specific type of sexual activity must be of loving intent & action.
-During sexual union, male climax must occur during normal sexual intercourse (it has to be open to the possibility of fertility).

Open Heaven Of Thursday 25 July 2013: Copying Methods?

Memory Verse: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.1 Corinthians 11:1  

Read: Acts 19:11-19

Act 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

Act 19:12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Act 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

Act 19:14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

Act 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Act 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Act 19:17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

Act 19:18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

Act 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.


Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 13-16.


Message
While some servants of God can lay a demand on the anointing of God upon their lives, and God will immediately answer, some others cannot because they really do not have any credit in their heavenly account. Take for instance Gehazi who was the servant of Elisha. In 2 Kings 4:29-31, Elisha gave Gehazi his rod to go and place it over the dead son of the Shunammite woman. As soon as he received it, he did not even wait to pray but rushed off, only to return to tell his master nothing happened. Gehazi spoke like his master and tried to configure things, yet nothing happened. This tells us that it is possible to be on the same bed with one who is on fire and not catch that fire. It is not the anointing oil, it is not the staff of office; it is not in how well packaged the words are; it is not in your oratory abilities. You can have all these but if you do not have any credit with God, all these will fail you. It is easy to talk the talk but walking the walk is what is most important. In Acts 19:11-19, when the sons of Sceva saw the miracles that Paul did, they became interested. Unknown to him, they began to study the ‘methodologies’ and at the end, they tried to replicate what they saw, but because they lacked the relationship with the Person of Jesus Christ, they paid dearly for the abuse of His name. Never copy others by prophesying except when God has spoken to you, or you will pay dearly for it.

Today, some pastors who do not have the word of wisdom or knowledge, and are not prepared to pay the price for these gifts, are gradually imitating those who have it. They want to belong to the class of spiritual leaders by applying guesses and common sense. The things of the Spirit do not work like that. If you copy the methods but lack the Spirit, you can never get the result of the Spirit. What are you copying? Is it from men or from God?

Prayer Point:
A copy cannot be the same as the original. Why copy when you can have the original?  

GOD OF MIRACLE GIVES 6 CHILDREN AT ONCE

God of miracles visited this woman with Six children when she never expected. The question now is, who reported to you that you can not have your own children when the lord of Host is on the throne?

God Have The Final Say. Have you not known, have you not heard that your God never sleeps nor Slumber.

Open Heaven of Wednesday 24th July 2013: Resisting Darkness

Memorise: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5

Read: John 1:45

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. John 1:45

Bible in one year: Ecclesiastes 10-12


Message
We are enjoined to arise and shine in Isaiah 60:1. To shine could mean Fulfill your purpose. It could also means Resist darkness. John 1:5 says,
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”.
You are not saved to fold your arms and be idle, but to resist darkness. Paul fought the good fight of faith and a part of that fight was to resist evil. The more you increase the number of lights around a place, the less of darkness you will have there. This is the wisdom in planting churches. The more churches are planted, the more forces of darkness will be driven away. There was a time in my village that if a well dressed individual was going there with a car, on arrival at Ife (South-West Nigeria), the fellow would have to park the car, change to a less flamboyant dress and unpolished shoes before heading for the village. On getting home, after greeting them, they may ask how long the visit would be, and the individual would lie that he would stay for three days whereas he was already preparing to leave. When it is time to leave, if the way to the motor park is to the right, he will follow the left and after going some distance, the fellow would reconnect the road to the park.

Why all that pretence? It was because darkness was thick and prevalent in the area. If they discovered the fellow had achieved something in life, that visit might just be his last visit to the village. But today, things have changed because the light of God has shone over them. Now, I can even visit in a helicopter and be seen by people, yet no evil is envisaged. If you are a light of this world, you will shine by resisting evil. Every soul you win to the Kingdom further reduces the pressure of sin and death upon the community where you are. Do all it takes to enlarge the coast of the Kingdom because in doing this, you will not only be shining, but also multiplying good in the midst of a dark world.

ACTION POINT
Go out and win souls into God’s Kingdom and thereafter thank Him for His light that is spreading into those lives and the community at large.

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL ADULTERY?

All Believers are married to Christ. We are to look to Him exclusively for all things, whatever that may be. This means that our Faith is to be in Christ and the Cross and nothing else. Failing that means that our Faith is in something else, and even though the something else may be good in its own right, still, it is not Faith in Christ and the Cross, which means that such a Believer is being unfaithful to Christ, which is “spiritual adultery.” To be sure, such affects the Holy Spirit greatly. While He doesn’t leave us, and thank God for that, still, He is greatly hindered.

A LEADER UNDER THE CONTROL OF JEZEBEL SPIRIT: MUST READ

The Jezebel spirit releases witchcraft against your mind and emotions. The purpose of the witchcraft is to wear you down little by little in an effort to control your life. Witchcraft is one of the demon spirits in Jezebel’s network.

Open Heaven of Tuesday 23rd July 2013: Why You Must Abide

Memorise: 
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  James 1:22

Read: Psalms 1:1-3
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalms 1:1

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalms 1:2

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1:3

Bible in one year: Ecclesiastes 7-9


Message
In John 9:6-7, a man who was born blind had contact with the Lord and his eyes were opened in a very dramatic way. If just one contact could do that much, how much more when you abide in Him? When you abide in Christ, He makes everything to become new. 2 Kings 4:8-17 tells of the Shunammite woman who offered Elijah food, and he decided to abide more regularly in the apartment she built for him. Because he was abiding there, this woman who had lost hope of becoming a mother became the mother of a son. When you abide, there is a new beginning. The widow of Zarephath had the servant of God abiding with her and her son and what was supposed to be her last meal became the meal that sustain the trio for over two years of famine. Are you abiding in Christ? If you are today in Christ, tomorrow in sin, you are not abiding in Him. If you are today in church, tomorrow in a shrine, you are not abiding in Him.

Moreover, why do you need to abide in Him? Abiding in Him creates the perfect atmosphere to get the best results from God’s word. Psalm 119:11 says,
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
If you are in a hurry to study God’s word, it will not sink into you, and you will not reach the depth where you can get revelation. You need to read, study, memorise and meditate on the word, so that you can have good success (Joshua 1:8). You cannot continue in sin and expect breakthrough from God because God is a miracle worker and not a magician. Abiding in Him helps you to stay holy. Several years ago, a woman attended an anointing service organised for those who wanted to be fruitful. Like others who came, I laid hands on her and prayed. Much later she was angry that nothing happened even though she fell under that anointing. While I was about to pray for her again, the Lord stopped me, and told me to ask this great woman how many boyfriends she had, beside her husband, and she said six. What some people are seeking is magic not miracle. To prosper and become fruitful or successful through Him, you must be holy.

KEY POINT
Anytime you step out of Christ, you are exposed to the bullets and arrows of the enemy. Stay in Him!

WHAT IS WRONG WITH SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE?

1. The risk of disobeying God and letting Satan get a foothold
The Bible, time after time tells us to flee sexual sins. Why? Because it is a major strategy of the devil to sabotage God's work on Earth.

STEPS TO AVOID BACKSLIDING: MUST READ

The Christian life is not always an easy road. Sometimes we get off track. The Bible says to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ daily so that no one turns away from the living God. If you have found yourself backsliding, or drifting away from the Lord, these practical steps will help get you back on course today.

Open Heaven of Monday 22nd July 2013: Strike A Balance

Memorise: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 29:2

Read: Exodus 1:15-21
And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: Exodus 1:15

And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. Exodus 1:16

But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. Exodus 1:17

And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? Exodus 1:18

And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Exodus 1:19

Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. Exodus 1:20

And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. Exodus 1:21

Bible in one year: Ecclesiastes 4-6


Message
Earlier, God had promised Abraham that through him, the whole world be blessed. Abraham had Isaac, Isaac had Jacob and Esau, and Jacob had 12 sons. By the time they got to Egypt, they were 70 in number. Thereafter God began to multiply them over a period of time to such an extent that they became a mighty nation within Egypt. The Egyptians however became afraid of them. After all the Pharaohs that knew about Joseph died, one came who did not know Joseph. This Pharaoh came up with an evil strategy against the children of Israel. We ought to learn a few lessons from these events. We know that changes are bound to occur as one government gives way to another. Some will recognize and represent your interest while some others will not. Yet, irrespective of earthly government in power at any given moment, the divine government of the Most High God remains unchangeable. Since this divine government is the highest level of government, it can impose its will on all earthly governments. Therefore to remain relevant at all times, stay connected with the government of heaven.

I once asked God why He decided to hide so many truths in the book of Exodus, and He replied that the Book of Exodus is the book of the rapture. He said just as the children of Israel went en masse from Egypt so will the saints leave the world someday. Are you prepared for this glorious day? Remember there may be no notice other than a reminder like the one you are having now. Moreover, we also learn how dangerous it is to have power without the fear of God. A man who can order the death of innocent babies is a dangerous fellow, which is why we must pray fervently that from now onwards, anyone without the fear of God will never rule our nations again. Anyone in government who does not care about preserving the lives of those under him or her has failed in governance. When the righteous are in authority, joy should flood that city, state, or community. But if you claim to be righteous and those under you are in sorrow during your dispensation, you are a shame to the body of Christ. How is your life bringing joy to others?

ACTION POINT
Using Psalm 72:7, pray that during your tenor in ministerial or secular affairs, the righteous will flourish and peace shall abound all through your of influence.

GOD HATES IDOLATRY

What is idolatry? Idolatry is having another god (or gods) besides the one true living God of the Bible. Idolatry is anything that you place higher priority in your life than God and His Commandments. There is ONLY one true and living God, i.e., the God of the Bible...