tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26465951062482098952024-02-19T08:34:08.025+01:00 Welcome to G-Strokes' Blog...the blog that keeps you in-tuned with life...
News, Events, Entertainment, Ministrations, Lifestyle, Fashion, Music, Sport, ETC...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-80824074329016200622015-06-03T20:51:00.001+01:002015-06-03T21:04:54.167+01:00Network Issues and OPEN HEAVENS announcementI'm like the happiest person right now.<br />
There has been a terrible network problem for almost a week now and its has incapacitated my blog-post. I am so sorry especially to my daily blog readers.<br />
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For the GSB readers of open heavens, with a sad feeling, I'll like to inform you that I won't be posting the daily OPEN HEAVENS devotional anymore due to the fact that it's illegal and inappropriate without prior approval from the author.<br />
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Open Heavens is the daily devotional for our time, written by the general overseer Pastor E.A Adeboye, the Open Heavens is indeed the guide in resolving daily christian issues and lifestyle.<br />
<br />iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.<div>
You can purchase the e-open heavens if you can't have access to the hard copy on <a href="http://iopenheavens.com/" target="_blank">iopenheavens.com</a><br />
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God bless and thanks for your understanding.<br />
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I seriously wish the network is fully restored, so that we can connect once more.<br />
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Happy New Month to you all....</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-16023944843010375782015-05-27T03:20:00.003+01:002015-05-27T03:22:56.893+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye <br />
Wednesday May 27</div>
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THE PRICE OF BEING A STANDARD</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,</div>
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2 Corinthians 6:17</div>
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Read: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18</div>
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14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? </div>
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15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? </div>
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16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. </div>
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17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, </div>
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18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.</div>
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Message</div>
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To become a standard or a positive reference point, there is a price to pay. Going through the Bible, one will see that all those who got outstanding approval from God had at least one thing in common, which is that they stood out for God before they became a reference point. One of such Bible heroes is Elijah. He stood out for God on Mount Carmel. He risked being killed by the numerous prophets of Baal whom he had challenged. As a matter of fact, he was considered to be Public Enemy No. 1 by the ruler of his day, Ahab (1 Kings 21:20).</div>
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Another Bible hero is Daniel. He stood out alongside three other young Hebrew men in order to be outstanding and thus became a standard. Several times, he risked being killed because of his stand for godliness. He knew his God and would not compromise his allegiance to Him. On one occasion, a decree forbade everybody from praying to God, but he put his life at risk by praying. He showed that he was different from every other person. The Bible says he did not go into hiding to pray; rather, he opened his windows and prayed three times a day until he was found out (Daniel 6:10). He disobeyed the malicious decree, which his malicious fellow presidents made King Darius to sign. One striking thing in this story was the statement of these presidents in Daniel 6:5:</div>
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"Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God."</div>
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The question is: if it becomes a crime to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, will you be found guilty? It is unfortunate that Christians are steadily losing their virtue as salt and the light in this world of darkness. Christians are no longer setting the standard for godly, virtuous living. They are allowing this corrupt world to overwhelm them, failing to realise that the state of corruption they are witnessing today was predicted in the Bible so long ago to prepare us to meet its challenges (2 Timothy 3:1-5). This is the reason why in today's Bible reading, God commands us to come out from among evildoers, particularly false brethren. This is part of the price of being a standard; you must stand out and not conform to this world (Romans 12:2). May the Lord give you the grace to obey in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Action Point:</div>
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Watch out for the evil deeds of this world and try to separate yourself from doing them. You will soon be noticed as different, and you will become a standard to the glory of God.</div>
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Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 19:16-20:26 & Mark 14:53-15:5... Read after the cut:</div>
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2 Samuel 19:16-20:26; </div>
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2Sa 19:16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. </div>
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2Sa 19:17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king. </div>
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2Sa 19:18 And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; </div>
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2Sa 19:19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. </div>
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2Sa 19:20 For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king. </div>
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2Sa 19:21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed? </div>
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2Sa 19:22 And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel? </div>
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2Sa 19:23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him. </div>
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2Sa 19:24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. </div>
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2Sa 19:25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? </div>
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2Sa 19:26 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame. </div>
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2Sa 19:27 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. </div>
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2Sa 19:28 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king? </div>
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2Sa 19:29 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. </div>
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2Sa 19:30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house. </div>
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2Sa 19:31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. </div>
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2Sa 19:32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. </div>
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2Sa 19:33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. </div>
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2Sa 19:34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? </div>
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2Sa 19:35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? </div>
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2Sa 19:36 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? </div>
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2Sa 19:37 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. </div>
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2Sa 19:38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee. </div>
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2Sa 19:39 And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place. </div>
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2Sa 19:40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel. </div>
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2Sa 19:41 And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan? </div>
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2Sa 19:42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift? </div>
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2Sa 19:43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. </div>
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2 Samuel 20:26;</div>
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2Sa 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. </div>
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2Sa 20:2 So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. </div>
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2Sa 20:3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood. </div>
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2Sa 20:4 Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present. </div>
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2Sa 20:5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. </div>
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2Sa 20:6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us. </div>
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2Sa 20:7 And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. </div>
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2Sa 20:8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out. </div>
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2Sa 20:9 And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. </div>
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2Sa 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. </div>
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2Sa 20:11 And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab. </div>
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2Sa 20:12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. </div>
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2Sa 20:13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. </div>
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2Sa 20:14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him. </div>
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2Sa 20:15 And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. </div>
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2Sa 20:16 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee. </div>
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2Sa 20:17 And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear. </div>
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2Sa 20:18 Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter. </div>
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2Sa 20:19 I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? </div>
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2Sa 20:20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. </div>
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2Sa 20:21 The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall. </div>
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2Sa 20:22 Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king. </div>
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2Sa 20:23 Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites: </div>
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2Sa 20:24 And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder: </div>
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2Sa 20:25 And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: </div>
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2Sa 20:26 And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David. </div>
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Mark 14:53-15:5</div>
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Mar 14:53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. </div>
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Mar 14:54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. </div>
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Mar 14:55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. </div>
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Mar 14:56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. </div>
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Mar 14:57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, </div>
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Mar 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. </div>
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Mar 14:59 But neither so did their witness agree together. </div>
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Mar 14:60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? </div>
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Mar 14:61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? </div>
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Mar 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. </div>
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Mar 14:63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? </div>
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Mar 14:64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. </div>
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Mar 14:65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. </div>
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Mar 14:66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: </div>
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Mar 14:67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. </div>
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Mar 14:68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. </div>
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Mar 14:69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. </div>
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Mar 14:70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. </div>
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Mar 14:71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. </div>
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Mar 14:72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. </div>
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Mark 15:5</div>
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Mar 15:1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. </div>
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Mar 15:2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. </div>
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Mar 15:3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. </div>
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Mar 15:4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. </div>
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Mar 15:5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-10283935801721514682015-05-26T09:46:00.001+01:002015-05-26T09:46:08.633+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (TUESDAY 26 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Tuesday May 26</div>
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DRESS TO BE ADDRESSED</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.</div>
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Exodus 2:19</div>
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Read: Exodus 2:16-20</div>
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16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. </div>
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17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. </div>
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18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? </div>
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19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. </div>
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20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.</div>
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Message</div>
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Many of today's Christians don't pay attention to their physical appearance. They have overstretched the fact that physical appearance may be deceptive at times. Although the Bible confirms this to be true in Proverbs 31:30, it is also true that what you show on the outside is a reflection of who you are on the inside. In my culture, there are two sayings of the elders which appear to contradict each other, but which contain eternal truths that cannot be wished away. The first one says: "The way you appear determines the level of respect people will accord you." In other words, if you dress like a slave, you will be treated like a slave. The other saying is: "A gorgeous dress does not guarantee nobility." That is to say, a slave can dress like a king but this does not make him a king. </div>
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The experience of Moses when He fled to Midian confirms the truth that a person is more often than not addressed based on the way he or she is dressed. Moses was not an Egyptian; he was Hebrew, but he was called an Egyptian by the daughters of the priest of Midian. Why did they call him an Egyptian? It's most certainly because of his general appearance. The lesson we should learn from this story as Christians is that we should allow what is inside us to reflect on the outside. For instance, if you are actually saved from sexual immorality, your manner of dressing must not promote it. Many years ago, some foreign teachers came to teach in our Bible College, and they taught our students that how they dressed did not matter, rather, it was that which was inside of them that was important. To correct this wrong teaching, I went to the nearby market to buy two similar oranges. </div>
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The only difference between them was the fact that one was yellow while the other was green. I took the oranges to the class, showed them to the students and asked: "Given an option to choose, which one would you choose out of these two oranges?" They chose the yellow orange because according to them, the yellow one would be sweeter. Then I further asked how they arrived at this conclusion, since they had not even cut them open. They replied, "The outside appearance shows what is inside." That drove home the message. When you dress in a way that people begin to wonder whether you know the difference between the "public" and the "private" parts of your body, then you need to learn Christian dressing ethics. Christians should allow the Holy Spirit to guide them on their physical comportment as becoming of saints. Others may dress inappropriately, but children of God cannot.</div>
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Action Point:</div>
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Look into your wardrobe, bring out any attire that promotes lust and sexual provocation and get rid of them. Let your wardrobe be born-again.</div>
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Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:15 & Mark 14:32-52... Read after the cut:</div>
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2 Samuel 18:1-19:15; </div>
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2Sa 18:1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. </div>
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2Sa 18:2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also. </div>
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2Sa 18:3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city. </div>
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2Sa 18:4 And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands. </div>
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2Sa 18:5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom. </div>
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2Sa 18:6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; </div>
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2Sa 18:7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men. </div>
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2Sa 18:8 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. </div>
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2Sa 18:9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. </div>
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2Sa 18:10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. </div>
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2Sa 18:11 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. </div>
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2Sa 18:12 And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. </div>
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2Sa 18:13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. </div>
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2Sa 18:14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. </div>
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2Sa 18:15 And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. </div>
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2Sa 18:16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people. </div>
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2Sa 18:17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent. </div>
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2Sa 18:18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place. </div>
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2Sa 18:19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies. </div>
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2Sa 18:20 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead. </div>
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2Sa 18:21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran. </div>
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2Sa 18:22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? </div>
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2Sa 18:23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi. </div>
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2Sa 18:24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. </div>
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2Sa 18:25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. </div>
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2Sa 18:26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. </div>
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2Sa 18:27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. </div>
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2Sa 18:28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. </div>
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2Sa 18:29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. </div>
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2Sa 18:30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still. </div>
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2Sa 18:31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. </div>
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2Sa 18:32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. </div>
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2Sa 18:33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! </div>
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2 Samuel 19:15; </div>
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2Sa 19:1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. </div>
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2Sa 19:2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. </div>
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2Sa 19:3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. </div>
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2Sa 19:4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! </div>
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2Sa 19:5 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; </div>
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2Sa 19:6 In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. </div>
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2Sa 19:7 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. </div>
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2Sa 19:8 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent. </div>
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2Sa 19:9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom. </div>
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2Sa 19:10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? </div>
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2Sa 19:11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house. </div>
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2Sa 19:12 Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king? </div>
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2Sa 19:13 And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab. </div>
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2Sa 19:14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants. </div>
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2Sa 19:15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan. </div>
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Mark 14:32-52</div>
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Mar 14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. </div>
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Mar 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; </div>
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Mar 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. </div>
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Mar 14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. </div>
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Mar 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. </div>
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Mar 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? </div>
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Mar 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. </div>
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Mar 14:39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. </div>
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Mar 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. </div>
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Mar 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. </div>
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Mar 14:42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. </div>
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Mar 14:43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. </div>
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Mar 14:44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. </div>
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Mar 14:45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. </div>
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Mar 14:46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him. </div>
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Mar 14:47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. </div>
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Mar 14:48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? </div>
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Mar 14:49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. </div>
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Mar 14:50 And they all forsook him, and fled. </div>
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Mar 14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: </div>
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Mar 14:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-82115585197639279542015-05-25T12:16:00.001+01:002015-05-25T12:16:33.254+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (MONDAY 25 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Monday May 25</div>
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YOU ARE GOD'S SANCTUARY</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?</div>
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1 Corinthians 6:19</div>
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Read: 1 Corinthians 6:15-20</div>
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15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. </div>
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16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. </div>
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17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. </div>
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18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. </div>
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19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? </div>
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20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.</div>
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Message</div>
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The most pleasurable sin to the flesh is sexual immorality. Incidentally, this particular type of sin is the most deadly because its consequences are not only spiritually unpleasant but also physically humiliating. In our Bible reading, Apostle Paul warned the Church at Corinth against sexual immorality. He explained that we are the temple of God. The implication of this is that your body does not belong to you, but rather, it belongs to God. He further revealed to us the judgment that would follow if we defile the temple of God - our body. In 1 Corinthians 3:17 he wrote:</div>
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"If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."</div>
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Are you currently involved or planning to go into any form of sexual immorality? God is warning you today. You better desist before it is too late. If sickness has turned your body into its permanent place of abode, and you have claimed all the promises of God concerning healing to no avail, it would be wise of you to examine yourself. Is there any sexual sin you have committed and you have not confessed? I am afraid to tell you that you may be under God's judgment, and there is nothing any anointed man of God can do about it unless you repent. You have defiled God's temple; you therefore need to make amends through genuine repentance that involves confessing and forsaking this sin entirely. I know of a man of God who appeared fervent, but suddenly he was stricken with a strange sickness. This sickness persisted for so long a time that I began to wonder what was actually responsible for his affliction. One day, the Lord decided to satisfy my curiosity. Someone came to tell me some secret things about this man of God without knowing how close I was to him. He was flirting around with women, including widows! The Bible in Proverbs 9:17 says a whore sits at the door of his or her house calling customers who lack understanding to come and patronise him or her, saying:</div>
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"Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."</div>
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This is the deceit of the devil. There is nothing in that strange woman or man you are going out with that is not present in your spouse. The same scripture in Proverbs 9:18 says:</div>
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"But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell."</div>
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I pray that you will not go to Hell as a result of either pre-marital or extra-marital sexual adventures.</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Dear Holy Spirit, please prepare me as a pure and holy dwelling place for You in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 16-17 & Mark 14:10-31... Read after the cut:</div>
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2 Samuel 16-17; </div>
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2Sa 16:1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. </div>
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2Sa 16:2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. </div>
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2Sa 16:3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. </div>
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2Sa 16:4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. </div>
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2Sa 16:5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. </div>
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2Sa 16:6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. </div>
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2Sa 16:7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: </div>
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2Sa 16:8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. </div>
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2Sa 16:9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. </div>
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2Sa 16:10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? </div>
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2Sa 16:11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. </div>
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2Sa 16:12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. </div>
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2Sa 16:13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. </div>
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2Sa 16:14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there. </div>
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2Sa 16:15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. </div>
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2Sa 16:16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. </div>
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2Sa 16:17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? </div>
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2Sa 16:18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. </div>
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2Sa 16:19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence. </div>
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2Sa 16:20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. </div>
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2Sa 16:21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. </div>
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2Sa 16:22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. </div>
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2Sa 16:23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. </div>
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2 Samuel 17; </div>
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2Sa 17:1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: </div>
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2Sa 17:2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: </div>
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2Sa 17:3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. </div>
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2Sa 17:4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. </div>
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2Sa 17:5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. </div>
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2Sa 17:6 And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou. </div>
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2Sa 17:7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. </div>
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2Sa 17:8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. </div>
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2Sa 17:9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. </div>
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2Sa 17:10 And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. </div>
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2Sa 17:11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. </div>
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2Sa 17:12 So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. </div>
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2Sa 17:13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there. </div>
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2Sa 17:14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. </div>
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2Sa 17:15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled. </div>
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2Sa 17:16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him. </div>
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2Sa 17:17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. </div>
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2Sa 17:18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down. </div>
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2Sa 17:19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. </div>
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2Sa 17:20 And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. </div>
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2Sa 17:21 And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you. </div>
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2Sa 17:22 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan. </div>
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2Sa 17:23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. </div>
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2Sa 17:24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. </div>
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2Sa 17:25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother. </div>
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2Sa 17:26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead. </div>
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2Sa 17:27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, </div>
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2Sa 17:28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, </div>
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2Sa 17:29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness. </div>
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Mark 14:10-31</div>
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Mar 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. </div>
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Mar 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. </div>
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Mar 14:12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? </div>
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Mar 14:13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. </div>
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Mar 14:14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? </div>
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Mar 14:15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. </div>
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Mar 14:16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. </div>
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Mar 14:17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. </div>
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Mar 14:18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. </div>
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Mar 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? </div>
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Mar 14:20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. </div>
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Mar 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. </div>
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Mar 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. </div>
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Mar 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. </div>
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Mar 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. </div>
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Mar 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. </div>
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Mar 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. </div>
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Mar 14:27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. </div>
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Mar 14:28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. </div>
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Mar 14:29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. </div>
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Mar 14:30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. </div>
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Mar 14:31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-48054329498082194752015-05-23T22:50:00.002+01:002015-05-23T22:50:34.573+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Sunday May 24</div>
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ARE YOU READY?</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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Then we which 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.</div>
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1 Thessalonians 4:17</div>
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Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18</div>
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13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. </div>
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14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. </div>
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15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. </div>
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16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: </div>
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17 Then we which 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. </div>
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18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.</div>
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Message</div>
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The admonition of Apostle Paul in today's Bible reading is addressed to those he referred to as "brethren". His first admonition is against ignorance (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Ignorance is the first weapon the devil uses to make Christians not ready for the rapture! Going by the words of Paul's warning, other people on earth can afford to be ignorant, but we who are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ cannot afford to be. One reason why many Christians are not watchful anymore is the supposed delay in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. They feel He may not come as expected; therefore, they have thrown godliness with contentment to the wind. Such Christians display their ignorance by not recognising the fact that although the great trump of God has not yet been sounded by the archangel, there is the individual trumpet, which the angel of death sounds when your time on earth is up.</div>
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In 2 Peter 3:1-11, Apostle Peter also attacked the spirit of ignorance in the brethren. Specifically in 2 Peter 3:8-9 he said:</div>
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"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 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."</div>
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Are you a beloved of the Lord? Then, you cannot afford to be ignorant of the fact that the two thousand and fifteen years following the Lord's first advent is just two days and a few seconds by the Lord's timing. One of my sons wrote an article at the end of the second millennium which he titled "Two Days Are Gone" - pointing to the truth in Peter's epistle above. We must do everything within the available grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship (the helpful partnership) of the Holy Spirit to be ready for the rapture. To remain rapturable, you need to take very seriously the words of Romans 12:1-2:</div>
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"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. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."</div>
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Action Point:</div>
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Carry out a personal assessment of your readiness for the return of our Lord.</div>
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Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 14-15 & Mark 13:24-14:9... Read after the cut:</div>
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2 Samuel 14-15; </div>
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2Sa 14:1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom. </div>
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2Sa 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: </div>
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2Sa 14:3 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth. </div>
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2Sa 14:4 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king. </div>
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2Sa 14:5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead. </div>
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2Sa 14:6 And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him. </div>
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2Sa 14:7 And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth. </div>
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2Sa 14:8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee. </div>
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2Sa 14:9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless. </div>
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2Sa 14:10 And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more. </div>
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2Sa 14:11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth. </div>
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2Sa 14:12 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on. </div>
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2Sa 14:13 And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished. </div>
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2Sa 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. </div>
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2Sa 14:15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid. </div>
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2Sa 14:16 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God. </div>
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2Sa 14:17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee. </div>
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2Sa 14:18 Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. </div>
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2Sa 14:19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: </div>
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2Sa 14:20 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth. </div>
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2Sa 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. </div>
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2Sa 14:22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant. </div>
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2Sa 14:23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. </div>
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2Sa 14:24 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face. </div>
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2Sa 14:25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. </div>
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2Sa 14:26 And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight. </div>
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2Sa 14:27 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance. </div>
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2Sa 14:28 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face. </div>
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2Sa 14:29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come. </div>
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2Sa 14:30 Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. </div>
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2Sa 14:31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire? </div>
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2Sa 14:32 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me. </div>
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2Sa 14:33 So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom. </div>
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2 Samuel 15;</div>
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2Sa 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. </div>
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2Sa 15:2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. </div>
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2Sa 15:3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. </div>
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2Sa 15:4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! </div>
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2Sa 15:5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. </div>
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2Sa 15:6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. </div>
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2Sa 15:7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. </div>
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2Sa 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. </div>
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2Sa 15:9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. </div>
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2Sa 15:10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. </div>
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2Sa 15:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. </div>
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2Sa 15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. </div>
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2Sa 15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. </div>
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2Sa 15:14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. </div>
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2Sa 15:15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. </div>
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2Sa 15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. </div>
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2Sa 15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. </div>
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2Sa 15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. </div>
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2Sa 15:19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. </div>
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2Sa 15:20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. </div>
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2Sa 15:21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. </div>
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2Sa 15:22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. </div>
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2Sa 15:23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. </div>
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2Sa 15:24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. </div>
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2Sa 15:25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: </div>
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2Sa 15:26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. </div>
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2Sa 15:27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. </div>
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2Sa 15:28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. </div>
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2Sa 15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. </div>
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2Sa 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. </div>
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2Sa 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. </div>
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2Sa 15:32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: </div>
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2Sa 15:33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me: </div>
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2Sa 15:34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. </div>
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2Sa 15:35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. </div>
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2Sa 15:36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. </div>
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2Sa 15:37 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. </div>
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Mark 13:24-14:9</div>
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Mar 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, </div>
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Mar 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. </div>
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Mar 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. </div>
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Mar 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. </div>
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Mar 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: </div>
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Mar 13:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. </div>
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Mar 13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. </div>
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Mar 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. </div>
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Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. </div>
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Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. </div>
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Mar 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. </div>
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Mar 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: </div>
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Mar 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. </div>
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Mar 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. </div>
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Mark 14:9</div>
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Mar 14:1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. </div>
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Mar 14:2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. </div>
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Mar 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. </div>
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Mar 14:4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? </div>
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Mar 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. </div>
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Mar 14:6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. </div>
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Mar 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. </div>
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Mar 14:8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. </div>
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Mar 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-19630003909333908302015-05-23T05:22:00.003+01:002015-05-23T05:22:56.739+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (SATURDAY 23 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Saturday May 23</div>
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DON'T BE CARELESS</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.</div>
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Matthew 24:42</div>
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Read: Matthew 24:37-44</div>
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37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. </div>
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38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, </div>
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39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. </div>
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40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. </div>
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41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. </div>
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42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. </div>
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43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. </div>
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44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. </div>
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While some commandments of God are very glaring, some others appear in covert mode, such that many don't even see them as commandments. One of such subtle commandments is the commandment to "watch" (Matthew 24:42). This commandment can also be expressed this way: don't be careless. It is unfortunate that many children of God today are careless about their Christian life, and by so doing, they have shipwrecked their faith. They live their lives as if they have nothing to lose to the enemy. Such Christians needs be reminded that they have at least one crown to protect - the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8). The Lord in Revelation 3:11 says this to us:</div>
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"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."</div>
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Our Lord Jesus Christ expressly commanded us to watch. Have you pondered on why He gave us this command? It is because He knew He would not be coming back as quickly as we would expect, and that there would therefore be the tendency for us to become careless with respect to our readiness for His return. We are all living witnesses of the spiritual decadence that is enveloping the Church today. The Lord used the experience of Noah's period to warn us that His coming will be sudden. He said it will be business as usual for most people at this time, and they will have no inkling whatsoever of what is about to happen (Matthew 24:37-39). When I see Christian brothers and sisters being careless about holiness, I begin to wonder whether they still believe the words of the scriptures, particularly those that came directly from the mouth of our Lord Himself. </div>
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Different scriptures are being fulfilled in our time more than ever before, and so many seem not to bother! In the early days of spiritual awakening, some Christians would not even want to marry in order to avoid the cares of this life. But these days, even some pastors are changing two, three or four women in rapid succession. It used to be that Christians dressed for the purpose of covering their nakedness, but today, we dress for "fashion". Some Christian women even compete with call girls in their mode of dressing. This scenario playing itself out may be as a result of the "delay" in the return of our Lord. Yet, the scripture has already warned us against this in Matthew 24:43-44:</div>
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"But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Dear Holy Spirit, as promised by the Lord Jesus, always bring to my remembrance the need to watch and not be careless in the area of my readiness for the Lord's return.</div>
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Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 12:24-13:39 & Mark 13:3-23... Read after the cut:</div>
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2 Samuel 12:24-13:39; </div>
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2Sa 12:24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. </div>
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2Sa 12:25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD. </div>
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2Sa 12:26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. </div>
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2Sa 12:27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters. </div>
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2Sa 12:28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name. </div>
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2Sa 12:29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. </div>
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2Sa 12:30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance. </div>
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2Sa 12:31 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem. </div>
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2 Samuel 13:39;</div>
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2Sa 13:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. </div>
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2Sa 13:2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her. </div>
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2Sa 13:3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. </div>
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2Sa 13:4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister. </div>
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2Sa 13:5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand. </div>
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2Sa 13:6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand. </div>
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2Sa 13:7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat. </div>
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2Sa 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. </div>
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2Sa 13:9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him. </div>
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2Sa 13:10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. </div>
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2Sa 13:11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. </div>
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2Sa 13:12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. </div>
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2Sa 13:13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee. </div>
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2Sa 13:14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. </div>
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2Sa 13:15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone. </div>
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2Sa 13:16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her. </div>
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2Sa 13:17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her. </div>
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2Sa 13:18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. </div>
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2Sa 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. </div>
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2Sa 13:20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. </div>
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2Sa 13:21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. </div>
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2Sa 13:22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. </div>
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2Sa 13:23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons. </div>
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2Sa 13:24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant. </div>
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2Sa 13:25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him. </div>
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2Sa 13:26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? </div>
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2Sa 13:27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. </div>
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2Sa 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. </div>
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2Sa 13:29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled. </div>
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2Sa 13:30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left. </div>
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2Sa 13:31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent. </div>
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2Sa 13:32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. </div>
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2Sa 13:33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead. </div>
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2Sa 13:34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him. </div>
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2Sa 13:35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is. </div>
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2Sa 13:36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore. </div>
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2Sa 13:37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. </div>
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2Sa 13:38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. </div>
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2Sa 13:39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. </div>
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Mark 13:3-23</div>
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Mar 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, </div>
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Mar 13:4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? </div>
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Mar 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: </div>
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Mar 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. </div>
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Mar 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. </div>
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Mar 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. </div>
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Mar 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. </div>
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Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. </div>
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Mar 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. </div>
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Mar 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. </div>
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Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. </div>
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Mar 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: </div>
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Mar 13:15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: </div>
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Mar 13:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. </div>
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Mar 13:17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! </div>
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Mar 13:18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. </div>
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Mar 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. </div>
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Mar 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. </div>
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Mar 13:21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: </div>
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Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. </div>
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Mar 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-26406498276919360492015-05-22T13:42:00.002+01:002015-05-22T13:42:32.860+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (FRIDAY 22 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Friday May 22</div>
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THE POWER OF SIGHT II</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;</div>
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Hebrews 11:24</div>
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Read: Genesis 13:14-18</div>
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14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: </div>
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15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. </div>
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16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. </div>
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17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. </div>
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18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.</div>
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The power of spiritual sight is apparent in anyone who has it. Such a person can see into the future and therefore does not exercise any form of fear. We can see these attributes manifested in Elisha in 2 Kings 6:11-18. Elisha's servant could not see what his master saw, and so he was afraid of the human army attempting to arrest them; but read what happens in 2 Kings 6:17:</div>
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"And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."</div>
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People often ask me why I don't go about with police escorts like many great men of God do. My answer is simple: it is great men who need human protection, and if only God would open the eyes of those who are so concerned about my safety, they would see that those who are with me are more than those with the enemies who would want to attack me.</div>
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What really kept Abraham going in his journey of faith was the power of what he was seeing. God, in several instances, used audiovisual aids to build up his faith (Genesis 13:14-17, Genesis 15:5-6). What God showed Abraham was so convincing that he stopped worrying about his state of childlessness until the child of promise came. </div>
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Moses also was endowed with the power of sight; he saw into the future of the Hebrews while they were still in bondage (Hebrews 11:24-26). He saw that someday these people would be set free, while their tormentors would be in agony. He therefore preferred the temporary shame of identifying with the people of God, to the enjoyment of temporary bliss that would lead to eternal damnation. This quality qualified Moses to lead the people of God. He who sees what others can't see will ultimately lead the rest. I pray that whatever is blocking your vision will be removed today in Jesus' Name. A man with the power of sight will often act reasonably well. For example, after King Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth man in the fiery furnace, his perception changed (Daniel 3:23-30). May the Lord open your eyes to see the pleasant surprises that God has in store for you, so that you don't backslide before the time of your divine visitation.</div>
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Father, please grant me the grace to remain committed to my future, and strengthen me to do all that is required of me to attain this glorious future.</div>
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Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 11:1-12:23 & Mark 12:28-13:2... Read after the cut:</div>
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2 Samuel 11:1-12:23; </div>
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2Sa 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. </div>
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2Sa 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. </div>
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2Sa 11:3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? </div>
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2Sa 11:4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. </div>
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2Sa 11:5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. </div>
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2Sa 11:6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. </div>
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2Sa 11:7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. </div>
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2Sa 11:8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. </div>
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2Sa 11:9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. </div>
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2Sa 11:10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house? </div>
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2Sa 11:11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. </div>
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2Sa 11:12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. </div>
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2Sa 11:13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house. </div>
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2Sa 11:14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. </div>
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2Sa 11:15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. </div>
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2Sa 11:16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. </div>
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2Sa 11:17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. </div>
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2Sa 11:18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; </div>
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2Sa 11:19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, </div>
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2Sa 11:20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall? </div>
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2Sa 11:21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. </div>
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2Sa 11:22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for. </div>
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2Sa 11:23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate. </div>
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2Sa 11:24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. </div>
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2Sa 11:25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. </div>
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2Sa 11:26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. </div>
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2Sa 11:27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. </div>
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2 Samuel 12:23;</div>
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2Sa 12:1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. </div>
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2Sa 12:2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: </div>
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2Sa 12:3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. </div>
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2Sa 12:4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. </div>
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2Sa 12:5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: </div>
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2Sa 12:6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. </div>
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2Sa 12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; </div>
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2Sa 12:8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. </div>
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2Sa 12:9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. </div>
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2Sa 12:10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. </div>
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2Sa 12:11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. </div>
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2Sa 12:12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. </div>
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2Sa 12:13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. </div>
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2Sa 12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. </div>
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2Sa 12:15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. </div>
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2Sa 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. </div>
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2Sa 12:17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. </div>
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2Sa 12:18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? </div>
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2Sa 12:19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. </div>
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2Sa 12:20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. </div>
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2Sa 12:21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. </div>
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2Sa 12:22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? </div>
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2Sa 12:23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. </div>
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Mark 12:28-13:2</div>
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Mar 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? </div>
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Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: </div>
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Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. </div>
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Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. </div>
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Mar 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: </div>
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Mar 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. </div>
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Mar 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. </div>
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Mar 12:35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? </div>
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Mar 12:36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. </div>
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Mar 12:37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly. </div>
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Mar 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, </div>
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Mar 12:39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: </div>
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Mar 12:40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. </div>
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Mar 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. </div>
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Mar 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. </div>
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Mar 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: </div>
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Mar 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. </div>
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Mark 13:2</div>
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Mar 13:1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! </div>
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Mar 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-7636155607902084532015-05-20T23:33:00.003+01:002015-05-20T23:33:48.205+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (THURSDAY 21 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Thursday May 21</div>
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THE POWER OF SIGHT I</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.</div>
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Proverbs 29:18</div>
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Read: John 9:1-7</div>
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1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. </div>
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2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? </div>
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3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. </div>
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4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. </div>
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5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. </div>
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6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, </div>
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7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.</div>
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Message</div>
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There are 3 categories of sight, all of which are very important. These categories include: physical, mental and spiritual. Today's memory verse rightly summarizes the risk a person without the power of sight is taking in life. The story of the man born blind in our Bible reading shows us some of the challenges a person without the power of sight faces. For as long as he was blind, this man had to be content with sitting on one spot, begging (John 9:8). Before Jesus met this man, he was already on the verge of frustration and despondency, but after his encounter with Jesus, many things took place in his life. His life was transformed for good, such that the one who had been a liability to his parents suddenly could go out and work for a living. Also, those who had been passing black to him as white before his miraculous experience would desist from doing so, because he could now see. Moreover, the danger of falling into ditches was now history in his life. The Bible in Luke 11:34a says:</div>
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"The light of the body is the eye:"</div>
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It is a great thing to have physical sight. More often than not, what we see affects our personality and our perception of life generally. For example, because my father never saw a house fitted with a modern toilet or bathtub, he never aspired to build a house with such facilities till he died.</div>
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However, some people with physical sight lack the power of mental sight. Lack of mental sight leads to lack of knowledge which in turn leads to lack of wisdom, and as we know, wisdom is the principal thing (Proverbs 4:7). Wisdom has been defined as the correct application of knowledge, but it is only the knowledge that you have that you can apply. I pray that you will not lack mental sight in Jesus' Name. I am praying this prayer for you because of what the Bible says in Proverbs 17:25:</div>
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"A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him."</div>
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In addition to physical and mental sight, we most importantly need spiritual sight. Having spiritual sight is the bedrock of all good success. Spiritual sight exposes you to deeper truths in the word of God. Every word of God suddenly becomes meaningful to you (2 Timothy 3:16). Those who don't have spiritual sight to illuminate their understanding cherry-pick only those areas of scripture that favour their easy-going Christianity. You need to pray for all three categories of sight today so that you can fulfil your destiny here on earth.</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, open my physical, mental and spiritual eyes to see and buy into the great future You have for me.</div>
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Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 7:18-10:19 & Mark 12:13-27... Read after the cut:</div>
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2 Samuel 7:18-10:19; </div>
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2Sa 7:18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? </div>
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2Sa 7:19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? </div>
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2Sa 7:20 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant. </div>
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2Sa 7:21 For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. </div>
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2Sa 7:22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. </div>
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2Sa 7:23 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? </div>
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2Sa 7:24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God. </div>
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2Sa 7:25 And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. </div>
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2Sa 7:26 And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. </div>
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2Sa 7:27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. </div>
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2Sa 7:28 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: </div>
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2Sa 7:29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever. </div>
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2 Samuel 8</div>
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2Sa 8:1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines. </div>
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2Sa 8:2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts. </div>
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2Sa 8:3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. </div>
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2Sa 8:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots. </div>
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2Sa 8:5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. </div>
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2Sa 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. </div>
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2Sa 8:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. </div>
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2Sa 8:8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass. </div>
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2Sa 8:9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, </div>
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2Sa 8:10 Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass: </div>
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2Sa 8:11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; </div>
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2Sa 8:12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. </div>
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2Sa 8:13 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. </div>
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2Sa 8:14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. </div>
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2Sa 8:15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people. </div>
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2Sa 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; </div>
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2Sa 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; </div>
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2Sa 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers. </div>
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2 Samuel 9; </div>
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2Sa 9:1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? </div>
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2Sa 9:2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. </div>
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2Sa 9:3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. </div>
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2Sa 9:4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. </div>
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2Sa 9:5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. </div>
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2Sa 9:6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! </div>
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2Sa 9:7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. </div>
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2Sa 9:8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? </div>
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2Sa 9:9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. </div>
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2Sa 9:10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. </div>
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2Sa 9:11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons. </div>
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2Sa 9:12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. </div>
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2Sa 9:13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet. </div>
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2 Samuel 10:19; </div>
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2Sa 10:1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. </div>
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2Sa 10:2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. </div>
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2Sa 10:3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? </div>
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2Sa 10:4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. </div>
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2Sa 10:5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return. </div>
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2Sa 10:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men. </div>
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2Sa 10:7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. </div>
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2Sa 10:8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field. </div>
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2Sa 10:9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: </div>
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2Sa 10:10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon. </div>
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2Sa 10:11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. </div>
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2Sa 10:12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good. </div>
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2Sa 10:13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. </div>
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2Sa 10:14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. </div>
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2Sa 10:15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. </div>
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2Sa 10:16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them. </div>
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2Sa 10:17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. </div>
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2Sa 10:18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there. </div>
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2Sa 10:19 And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more. </div>
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Mark 12:13-27</div>
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Mar 12:13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. </div>
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Mar 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? </div>
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Mar 12:15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. </div>
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Mar 12:16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. </div>
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Mar 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. </div>
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Mar 12:18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, </div>
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Mar 12:19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. </div>
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Mar 12:20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. </div>
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Mar 12:21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. </div>
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Mar 12:22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. </div>
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Mar 12:23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. </div>
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Mar 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? </div>
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Mar 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. </div>
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Mar 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? </div>
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Mar 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-8485200687854286462015-05-20T18:17:00.002+01:002015-05-20T18:17:33.413+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Wednesday May 20</div>
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THE TURNING POINT IV</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.</div>
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Ecclesiastes 5:10</div>
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Read: 2 Kings 5:15-20</div>
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15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. </div>
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16 But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. </div>
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17 And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD. </div>
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18 In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing. </div>
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19 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way. </div>
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20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.</div>
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Gehazi was the servant of Prophet Elisha. He was privileged to be the apprentice of a great prophet and had the potential of inheriting at least the double portion of Elijah's power that was upon Elisha. However, his covetousness ruined his destiny as a would-be great prophet. He decided to go after the material things of this world at the expense of his prophetic calling. He was so determined to go after worldly things that he even swore by God that he must "possess his possessions". Like present-day worldly preachers, he seemed to be saying: "...after all, he that labours by the altar must feed by the altar". Consider his words in 2 Kings 5:20:</div>
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"But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him."</div>
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Once his sin of covetousness was found out by his master, the leprosy of Naaman was transferred to him and all his generations after him (2 Kings 5:27). </div>
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Judas Iscariot is another individual we should learn from. He had almost the same moral and spiritual problem as Gehazi: covetousness and greed. The Bible says he was a thief, and being the treasurer of Jesus' ministry, he often stole from the purse (John 12:4-6). His greed got to the level where he took a decision that condemned him to eternal perdition: he decided to sell his Master, the King of glory (Matthew 26:14-16). Before Judas Iscariot realised his folly, he had already ruined the opportunity of having himself numbered among the twelve apostles. He ended up committing suicide.</div>
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"Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,...And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself."</div>
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Matthew 27:3&5</div>
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Children of God in the 21st century must be wary of materialism. It is deadly, though it may not look that way. This is why John the Beloved warned us against worldliness, as if he knew what would become of the Church in the end-times (1 John 2:15-17).</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, guide me never to take a wrong decision that will blight my future in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 5:1-7:17 & Mark 11:20-12:12... Read after the cut:</div>
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2 Samuel 5:1-7:17; </div>
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2Sa 5:1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. </div>
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2Sa 5:2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. </div>
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2Sa 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. </div>
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2Sa 5:4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. </div>
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2Sa 5:5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. </div>
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2Sa 5:6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. </div>
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2Sa 5:7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. </div>
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2Sa 5:8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. </div>
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2Sa 5:9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. </div>
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2Sa 5:10 And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. </div>
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2Sa 5:11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. </div>
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2Sa 5:12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake. </div>
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2Sa 5:13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. </div>
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2Sa 5:14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, </div>
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2Sa 5:15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, </div>
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2Sa 5:16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet. </div>
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2Sa 5:17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. </div>
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2Sa 5:18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. </div>
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2Sa 5:19 And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. </div>
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2Sa 5:20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim. </div>
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2Sa 5:21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them. </div>
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2Sa 5:22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. </div>
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2Sa 5:23 And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. </div>
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2Sa 5:24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. </div>
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2Sa 5:25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer. </div>
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2 Samuel 6</div>
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2Sa 6:1 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. </div>
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2Sa 6:2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. </div>
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2Sa 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. </div>
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2Sa 6:4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. </div>
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2Sa 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. </div>
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2Sa 6:6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. </div>
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2Sa 6:7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. </div>
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2Sa 6:8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. </div>
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2Sa 6:9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? </div>
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2Sa 6:10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. </div>
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2Sa 6:11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household. </div>
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2Sa 6:12 And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness. </div>
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2Sa 6:13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. </div>
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2Sa 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. </div>
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2Sa 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. </div>
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2Sa 6:16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. </div>
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2Sa 6:17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. </div>
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2Sa 6:18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. </div>
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2Sa 6:19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. </div>
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2Sa 6:20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! </div>
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2Sa 6:21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. </div>
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2Sa 6:22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. </div>
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2Sa 6:23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. </div>
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2 Samuel 7:17;</div>
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2Sa 7:1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; </div>
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2Sa 7:2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. </div>
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2Sa 7:3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. </div>
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2Sa 7:4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, </div>
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2Sa 7:5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? </div>
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2Sa 7:6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. </div>
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2Sa 7:7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? </div>
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2Sa 7:8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: </div>
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2Sa 7:9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. </div>
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2Sa 7:10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, </div>
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2Sa 7:11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. </div>
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2Sa 7:12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. </div>
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2Sa 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. </div>
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2Sa 7:14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: </div>
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2Sa 7:15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. </div>
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2Sa 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. </div>
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2Sa 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. </div>
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Mark 11:20-12:12</div>
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Mar 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. </div>
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Mar 11:21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. </div>
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Mar 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. </div>
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Mar 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. </div>
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Mar 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. </div>
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Mar 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. </div>
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Mar 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. </div>
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Mar 11:27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, </div>
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Mar 11:28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? </div>
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Mar 11:29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. </div>
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Mar 11:30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. </div>
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Mar 11:31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? </div>
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Mar 11:32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. </div>
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Mar 11:33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. </div>
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Mark 12:12</div>
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Mar 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. </div>
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Mar 12:2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. </div>
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Mar 12:3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. </div>
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Mar 12:4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. </div>
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Mar 12:5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. </div>
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Mar 12:6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. </div>
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Mar 12:7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. </div>
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Mar 12:8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. </div>
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Mar 12:9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. </div>
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Mar 12:10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: </div>
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Mar 12:11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? </div>
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Mar 12:12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-82546609681818841722015-05-19T00:31:00.000+01:002015-05-19T00:31:04.106+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (TUESDAY 19 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Tuesday May 19</div>
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THE TURNING POINT III</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?</div>
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Genesis 25:32</div>
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Read: Genesis 25:29-34</div>
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29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: </div>
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30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. </div>
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31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. </div>
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32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? </div>
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33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. </div>
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34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.</div>
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While the decisions made at crossroads resulted in a great future for Moses, Elisha, Daniel, Peter, Paul and Ruth, the decision of Esau at such a moment blighted his future. Esau found himself at a crossroads when his brother, Jacob, offered him food (a present need) in exchange for his birthright (a future asset). He experienced a negative turning point when he chose to sell his birthright. He filled his stomach with bread and pottage of lentils, gulped some drinks, rose up and went his way, but he forever lived to regret it. The Bible in Hebrews 12:16-17 says:</div>
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"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, though he sought it carefully with tears."</div>
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Another figure who took a decision that led to a negative turning point was Reuben, the first son of Jacob. He defiled the bed of his father by sleeping with his father's concubine. When Reuben was taking this decision to humiliate his father, little did he know that he was destroying his own future. Our Father in heaven deserves our honour and not humiliation. We humiliate our Heavenly Father when we offer Him worship that is polluted with sinful habits (Malachi 1:6-7). As priests of God (Revelation 1:6), when we lift up unholy hands in worship to God, we are offering polluted "bread" on His altar. This is the reason why the Bible in Romans 12:1 says:</div>
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"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."</div>
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The most fearful thing in the story of Reuben is that after he did the abominable act, he did not realise that his father knew about it, because his father never even mentioned it (Genesis 35:22). However, on the day of reckoning, his father placed a curse on him (Genesis 49:3-4). I will therefore encourage you to pray that the Lord will, through the blood of Jesus Christ, undo whatever you have done wrong in the past that is troubling you now even as a Christian. </div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, please undo whatever I have done in the time of ignorance that has placed a curse on me.</div>
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Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 3-4 & Mark 11:1-19... Read after the cut:</div>
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2 Samuel 3-4; </div>
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2Sa 3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. </div>
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2Sa 3:2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; </div>
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2Sa 3:3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; </div>
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2Sa 3:4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; </div>
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2Sa 3:5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron. </div>
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2Sa 3:6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. </div>
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2Sa 3:7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine? </div>
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2Sa 3:8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman? </div>
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2Sa 3:9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; </div>
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2Sa 3:10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba. </div>
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2Sa 3:11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him. </div>
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2Sa 3:12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee. </div>
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2Sa 3:13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face. </div>
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2Sa 3:14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. </div>
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2Sa 3:15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. </div>
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2Sa 3:16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned. </div>
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2Sa 3:17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: </div>
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2Sa 3:18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. </div>
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2Sa 3:19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin. </div>
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2Sa 3:20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. </div>
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2Sa 3:21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. </div>
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2Sa 3:22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. </div>
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2Sa 3:23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. </div>
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2Sa 3:24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? </div>
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2Sa 3:25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. </div>
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2Sa 3:26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. </div>
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2Sa 3:27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. </div>
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2Sa 3:28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: </div>
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2Sa 3:29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread. </div>
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2Sa 3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. </div>
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2Sa 3:31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. </div>
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2Sa 3:32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. </div>
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2Sa 3:33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? </div>
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2Sa 3:34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. </div>
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2Sa 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down. </div>
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2Sa 3:36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. </div>
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2Sa 3:37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. </div>
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2Sa 3:38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? </div>
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2Sa 3:39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. </div>
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2 Samuel 4;</div>
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2Sa 4:1 And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. </div>
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2Sa 4:2 And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin: </div>
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2Sa 4:3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.) </div>
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2Sa 4:4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. </div>
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2Sa 4:5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. </div>
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2Sa 4:6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. </div>
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2Sa 4:7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night. </div>
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2Sa 4:8 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. </div>
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2Sa 4:9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, </div>
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2Sa 4:10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: </div>
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2Sa 4:11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? </div>
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2Sa 4:12 And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron. </div>
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Mark 11:1-19</div>
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Mar 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, </div>
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Mar 11:2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. </div>
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Mar 11:3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. </div>
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Mar 11:4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. </div>
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Mar 11:5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? </div>
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Mar 11:6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. </div>
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Mar 11:7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. </div>
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Mar 11:8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. </div>
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Mar 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: </div>
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Mar 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. </div>
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Mar 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. </div>
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Mar 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: </div>
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Mar 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. </div>
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Mar 11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. </div>
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Mar 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; </div>
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Mar 11:16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. </div>
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Mar 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. </div>
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Mar 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. </div>
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Mar 11:19 And when even was come, he went out of the city. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-4557232550808827312015-05-18T05:28:00.000+01:002015-05-18T05:28:08.168+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (MONDAY 18 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Monday May 18</div>
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THE TURNING POINT II</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:</div>
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Ruth 1:16</div>
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Read: Ruth 1:11-16</div>
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11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? </div>
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12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; </div>
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13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. </div>
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14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. </div>
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15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. </div>
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16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:</div>
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Message</div>
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After Ruth lost her husband early in life and there was no child to show for the relationship, she could never have dreamt that she would be a mother of many nations through Jesus Christ our Lord (Matthew 1:5). Ruth would have been long forgotten but for a turning point in her life when she made the decision in today's memory verse. Her sister-in-law, Orpah, kissed their mother-in-law goodbye and left, but Ruth refused to let go. She was resolute in her decision to stay with Naomi.</div>
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After moving to the land of Israel with her mother-in-law, Ruth eventually remarried Boaz, who was a distant relation of her late husband. This union produced an ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ, Obed (Ruth 4:13-17). Anytime I remember the decision I made to serve the Lord in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, after the founder personally followed up on me by visiting my residence just after my first visit to the Church, I give glory to God. When I was making the decision to turn away from my self-righteousness and academic pride, little did I know that I was entering into a lifetime of joy in the service of the Lord. I am grateful to the Holy Spirit who helped me make that decision. </div>
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I pray for you that the Lord will help you to make the decision that will turn your life around for the best today, in Jesus' Name. You will decide to serve God in spirit and in truth as from today in Jesus' Name. The last mention of Orpah in the Bible was when she was at a crossroads, and she made the decision to return to her idols. </div>
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"And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law."</div>
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Ruth 1:14-15</div>
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Beloved, what type of situation are you passing through now, and what decisions are you making? Have you weighed the decision you are making, and is God being brought into the picture? Think about this and go into prayer as you go about your business today. </div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Holy Spirit Divine, please lead me aright in my decision-making process at all times.</div>
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Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 1-2 & Mark 10:32-52... Read after the cut:</div>
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2 Samuel 1-2; </div>
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2Sa 1:1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; </div>
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2Sa 1:2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. </div>
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2Sa 1:3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. </div>
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2Sa 1:4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. </div>
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2Sa 1:5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? </div>
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2Sa 1:6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. </div>
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2Sa 1:7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. </div>
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2Sa 1:8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. </div>
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2Sa 1:9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. </div>
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2Sa 1:10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. </div>
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2Sa 1:11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: </div>
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2Sa 1:12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. </div>
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2Sa 1:13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. </div>
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2Sa 1:14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed? </div>
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2Sa 1:15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. </div>
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2Sa 1:16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed. </div>
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2Sa 1:17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: </div>
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2Sa 1:18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) </div>
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2Sa 1:19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! </div>
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2Sa 1:20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. </div>
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2Sa 1:21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. </div>
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2Sa 1:22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. </div>
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2Sa 1:23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. </div>
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2Sa 1:24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. </div>
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2Sa 1:25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. </div>
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2Sa 1:26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. </div>
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2Sa 1:27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! </div>
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2 Samuel 2; </div>
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2Sa 2:1 And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. </div>
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2Sa 2:2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. </div>
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2Sa 2:3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. </div>
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2Sa 2:4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. </div>
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2Sa 2:5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. </div>
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2Sa 2:6 And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. </div>
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2Sa 2:7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. </div>
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2Sa 2:8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; </div>
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2Sa 2:9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. </div>
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2Sa 2:10 Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. </div>
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2Sa 2:11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. </div>
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2Sa 2:12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. </div>
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2Sa 2:13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. </div>
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2Sa 2:14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. </div>
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2Sa 2:15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. </div>
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2Sa 2:16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon. </div>
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2Sa 2:17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David. </div>
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2Sa 2:18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. </div>
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2Sa 2:19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. </div>
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2Sa 2:20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. </div>
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2Sa 2:21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. </div>
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2Sa 2:22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? </div>
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2Sa 2:23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. </div>
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2Sa 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. </div>
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2Sa 2:25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. </div>
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2Sa 2:26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? </div>
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2Sa 2:27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. </div>
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2Sa 2:28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. </div>
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2Sa 2:29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. </div>
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2Sa 2:30 And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. </div>
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2Sa 2:31 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died. </div>
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2Sa 2:32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day. </div>
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Mark 10:32-52</div>
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Mar 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, </div>
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Mar 10:33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: </div>
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Mar 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. </div>
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Mar 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. </div>
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Mar 10:36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? </div>
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Mar 10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. </div>
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Mar 10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? </div>
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Mar 10:39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: </div>
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Mar 10:40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. </div>
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Mar 10:41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. </div>
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Mar 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. </div>
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Mar 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: </div>
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Mar 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. </div>
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Mar 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. </div>
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Mar 10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. </div>
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Mar 10:47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. </div>
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Mar 10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. </div>
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Mar 10:49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. </div>
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Mar 10:50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. </div>
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Mar 10:51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. </div>
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Mar 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-70432494857729686412015-05-16T23:01:00.003+01:002015-05-16T23:02:16.262+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (SUNDAY 17 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye<br />
Sunday May 17</div>
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THE TURNING POINT I</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.</div>
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Exodus 3:3</div>
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Read: Exodus 3:1-6</div>
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1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. </div>
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2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. </div>
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3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. </div>
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4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. </div>
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5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. </div>
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6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.</div>
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Message</div>
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A turning point is a defining moment; it is a moment of decision that either makes or mars the life of a person. In life's journey, there are always crossroads where you have to decide whether to go to the right or to the left. At such moments, if you make the right call, glory to God, but if you make the wrong decision, may God have mercy on you. The Bible contains several examples of people who took either positive or negative turns while at crossroads. Moses is one of such persons. In today's Bible reading, Moses made a turn that sealed not only his destiny but also that of the Jews for good. I pray for you today that God will guide you to always make the right call when you are at a crossroads in your life, in Jesus' Name. When Moses turned to see the great sight of the burning bush, the Bible says it was then the Almighty God spoke. There are some necessary turns you must make in order to fulfil your destiny. There are steps you must take to make progress. The Bible in Exodus 3:4 says:</div>
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"And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I."</div>
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From that moment, a dialogue ensued, followed by a commissioning for an assignment of eternal value (Exodus 3:10).</div>
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Another example of someone who took the right turn was Elisha. His decision to answer the call of God to the office of a prophet made kings call him "my father" (1 Kings 19:19-21, 2 Kings 6:21). Also, the decision of Daniel, that he and his colleagues would not defile themselves with the king's meat, made him outlast several kings and serve as a reference point of excellence to them all (Daniel 1:8, Daniel 1:21, Daniel 5:11-12). The day Peter forsook his big catch of fish at the lake of Gennesaret, he sealed his destiny as a foremost apostle whose shadow would heal the sick (Luke 5:10-11, Acts 5:15). The turning point Paul experienced on the road to Damascus resulted in him writing more than a third of the entire New Testament, not to mention the special miracles the Lord performed through him (Acts 9:3-8, Acts 19:11-12).</div>
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I encourage you to prayerfully decide what you want to do with your life today. Are you born-again, sanctified and Spirit-filled? Your decision today will determine if you will partake of these experiences or not. God will take over your life from the moment you make up your mind to serve Him in spirit and truth.</div>
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Action Point:</div>
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Make a lasting, positive decision on what you want to do with the remaining years you have to spend on earth, and pray that God will help you stand by this decision in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 29-31 & Mark 10:1-31... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 29-31; </div>
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1Sa 29:1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel. </div>
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1Sa 29:2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish. </div>
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1Sa 29:3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day? </div>
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1Sa 29:4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men? </div>
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1Sa 29:5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands? </div>
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1Sa 29:6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not. </div>
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1Sa 29:7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines. </div>
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1Sa 29:8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king? </div>
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1Sa 29:9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle. </div>
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1Sa 29:10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart. </div>
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1Sa 29:11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel. </div>
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1 Samuel 30;</div>
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1Sa 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; </div>
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1Sa 30:2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. </div>
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1Sa 30:3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. </div>
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1Sa 30:4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. </div>
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1Sa 30:5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. </div>
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1Sa 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. </div>
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1Sa 30:7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. </div>
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1Sa 30:8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. </div>
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1Sa 30:9 So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed. </div>
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1Sa 30:10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor. </div>
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1Sa 30:11 And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water; </div>
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1Sa 30:12 And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights. </div>
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1Sa 30:13 And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick. </div>
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1Sa 30:14 We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire. </div>
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1Sa 30:15 And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company. </div>
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1Sa 30:16 And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah. </div>
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1Sa 30:17 And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled. </div>
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1Sa 30:18 And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. </div>
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1Sa 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all. </div>
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1Sa 30:20 And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil. </div>
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1Sa 30:21 And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them. </div>
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1Sa 30:22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart. </div>
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1Sa 30:23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. </div>
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1Sa 30:24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. </div>
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1Sa 30:25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day. </div>
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1Sa 30:26 And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD; </div>
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1Sa 30:27 To them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir, </div>
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1Sa 30:28 And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa, </div>
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1Sa 30:29 And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites, </div>
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1Sa 30:30 And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach, </div>
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1Sa 30:31 And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt. </div>
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1 Samuel 31;</div>
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1Sa 31:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. </div>
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1Sa 31:2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons. </div>
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1Sa 31:3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. </div>
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1Sa 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. </div>
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1Sa 31:5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. </div>
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1Sa 31:6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together. </div>
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1Sa 31:7 And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them. </div>
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1Sa 31:8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa. </div>
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1Sa 31:9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people. </div>
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1Sa 31:10 And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan. </div>
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1Sa 31:11 And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; </div>
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1Sa 31:12 All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. </div>
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1Sa 31:13 And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. </div>
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Mark 10:1-31</div>
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Mar 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; </div>
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Mar 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. </div>
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Mar 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. </div>
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Mar 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. </div>
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Mar 1:5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. </div>
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Mar 1:6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; </div>
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Mar 1:7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. </div>
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Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. </div>
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Mar 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. </div>
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Mar 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: </div>
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Mar 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. </div>
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Mar 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. </div>
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Mar 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. </div>
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Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, </div>
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Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. </div>
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Mar 1:16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. </div>
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Mar 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. </div>
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Mar 1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. </div>
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Mar 1:19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. </div>
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Mar 1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. </div>
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Mar 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. </div>
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Mar 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. </div>
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Mar 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, </div>
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Mar 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. </div>
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Mar 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. </div>
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Mar 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. </div>
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Mar 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. </div>
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Mar 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. </div>
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Mar 1:29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. </div>
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Mar 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. </div>
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Mar 1:31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-14247806845500109812015-05-16T04:47:00.002+01:002015-05-16T04:47:32.746+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (SATURDAY 16 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Saturday May 16</div>
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CHILD OF DESTINY</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.</div>
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Jeremiah 1:5</div>
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Read: Exodus 1:15-17</div>
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15 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: </div>
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16 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. </div>
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17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.</div>
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Message</div>
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A child who must fulfil destiny can never be destroyed by the enemy. The fact that you are alive today is a pointer to the fact that you have a destiny to fulfil, and this destiny is a good one (Jeremiah 29:11). By Pharaoh's calculations, Moses was born to die. He orchestrated a diabolical arrangement with the midwives so that even before Moses was born, death was already waiting for him. However, the plan of God for Moses was quite different from Pharaoh's plan. The good news is that God's plan for you supersedes that of any human entity (Lamentations 3:37). Always be conscious of the fact that you are created for a divine purpose.</div>
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Although the children of God are a specially selected group of people (Ephesians 1:4-5), there are serious questions they must ask themselves and provide answers to in order to fulfil their destiny. Such questions include: will the plan of God for my life be fulfilled? The answer to this question is yes; that is if you are in good standing with God, because the counsel of God shall forever stand (Psalm 33:10-11). However, every child of God must remember that they can ignorantly upturn the plan of God for their lives as seen from the life-story of Eli the priest (1 Samuel 2:30). </div>
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Another question a child of God must ask if he or she would fulfil destiny is: can the plan of God for my life be completely fulfilled? The answer to this question may be positive for some and negative for some others. For example, God's plan for Joshua was unfortunately not fulfilled completely. In Joshua 1:3-4, God declared that He would help Joshua to fully capture the whole of the Promised Land. God even spelt out its boundaries to him. But alas, at the twilight of Joshua's life, God said this to him in Joshua 13:1:</div>
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"Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed."</div>
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What a disappointment. For you to fully realise God's purpose for your life, you must make up your mind to be completely obedient to Him in everything He commands. When you consider the devastating effects of partial obedience on King Saul (1 Samuel 15:17-23), and the failure of King Joash of Israel who was asked to strike his arrow on the ground severally but stopped after the third strike (2 Kings 13:18-19), you will learn how to obey God completely.</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, help me to completely obey You in all areas, so that I may fulfil Your divine purpose for my life.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 26-28 & Mark 9:30-50... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 26-28; </div>
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1Sa 26:1 And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? </div>
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1Sa 26:2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. </div>
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1Sa 26:3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. </div>
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1Sa 26:4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed. </div>
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1Sa 26:5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him. </div>
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1Sa 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee. </div>
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1Sa 26:7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him. </div>
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1Sa 26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. </div>
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1Sa 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless? </div>
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1Sa 26:10 David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. </div>
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1Sa 26:11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go. </div>
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1Sa 26:12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them. </div>
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1Sa 26:13 Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them: </div>
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1Sa 26:14 And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king? </div>
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1Sa 26:15 And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. </div>
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1Sa 26:16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster. </div>
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1Sa 26:17 And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. </div>
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1Sa 26:18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? </div>
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1Sa 26:19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods. </div>
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1Sa 26:20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains. </div>
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1Sa 26:21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. </div>
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1Sa 26:22 And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. </div>
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1Sa 26:23 The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed. </div>
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1Sa 26:24 And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. </div>
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1Sa 26:25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place. </div>
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1 Samuel 27</div>
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1Sa 27:1 And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand. </div>
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1Sa 27:2 And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath. </div>
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1Sa 27:3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife. </div>
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1Sa 27:4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him. </div>
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1Sa 27:5 And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee? </div>
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1Sa 27:6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day. </div>
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1Sa 27:7 And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. </div>
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1Sa 27:8 And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt. </div>
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1Sa 27:9 And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish. </div>
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1Sa 27:10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites. </div>
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1Sa 27:11 And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines. </div>
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1Sa 27:12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever. </div>
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1 Samuel 28; </div>
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1Sa 28:1 And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men. </div>
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1Sa 28:2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever. </div>
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1Sa 28:3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. </div>
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1Sa 28:4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. </div>
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1Sa 28:5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. </div>
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1Sa 28:6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. </div>
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1Sa 28:7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. </div>
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1Sa 28:8 And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee. </div>
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1Sa 28:9 And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die? </div>
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1Sa 28:10 And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. </div>
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1Sa 28:11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. </div>
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1Sa 28:12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. </div>
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1Sa 28:13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. </div>
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1Sa 28:14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. </div>
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1Sa 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. </div>
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1Sa 28:16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? </div>
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1Sa 28:17 And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: </div>
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1Sa 28:18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. </div>
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1Sa 28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. </div>
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1Sa 28:20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night. </div>
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1Sa 28:21 And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me. </div>
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1Sa 28:22 Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way. </div>
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1Sa 28:23 But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed. </div>
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1Sa 28:24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof: </div>
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1Sa 28:25 And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night. </div>
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Mark 9:30-50</div>
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Mar 9:30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. </div>
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Mar 9:31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. </div>
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Mar 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him. </div>
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Mar 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? </div>
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Mar 9:34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. </div>
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Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. </div>
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Mar 9:36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, </div>
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Mar 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. </div>
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Mar 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. </div>
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Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. </div>
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Mar 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part. </div>
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Mar 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. </div>
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Mar 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. </div>
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Mar 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: </div>
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Mar 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. </div>
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Mar 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: </div>
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Mar 9:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. </div>
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Mar 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: </div>
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Mar 9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. </div>
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Mar 9:49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. </div>
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Mar 9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-90777420363786221312015-05-15T07:56:00.001+01:002015-05-15T07:56:20.994+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (FRIDAY 15 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye </div>
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Friday May 15</div>
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UNCIRCUMCISED IN HEART?</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.</div>
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Acts 7:51</div>
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Read: Romans 6:1-10</div>
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1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? </div>
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2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? </div>
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3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? </div>
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4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. </div>
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5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: </div>
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6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. </div>
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7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. </div>
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8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: </div>
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9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. </div>
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10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.</div>
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Message</div>
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In his sermon just before he was killed, Stephen spoke to a Jewish audience made up of people who were circumcised in the flesh as required by God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:10). However, Stephen revealed to them that there exists a circumcision beyond that of the flesh: the circumcision of heart and ears (Acts 7:51). This circumcision is spiritual. He admonished them to accept it in order to belong to the new dispensation of grace. They rejected his message and held tenaciously to the old order, which Paul declared as irrelevant under this new dispensation. 1 Corinthians 7:19 says:</div>
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"Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God."</div>
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Those of us who claim to know God and claim to be born-again must be careful not to fall into the same error as the Jews to whom the gospel was first preached. The circumcision of our heart and ears must not be one professed by mouth only. Our Pentecostalism must not turn to lawlessness. We must truly be circumcised in our heart and hearing, so that the message of the gospel may always have a place in our lives. We must heed the warning of Hebrews 12:15-16:</div>
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"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; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."</div>
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We tend to glory in many things as Pentecostals, as if attending a Pentecostal Church is the main ticket to heaven. Many of us have become docile in spiritual matters. The enemy is taking advantage of this passive attitude to penetrate and adulterate Pentecostal beliefs. This is why homosexuality, lesbianism and the reconstruction of the Bible doctrines handed to us by the apostles and prophets are being considered. What we must do as individuals and as a family is to retrace our steps back to our first love for the Bible and the sound teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, such as these in Revelation 3:2-3:</div>
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"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Pray for God to send revival upon His Church, especially among Pentecostals who are now growing lukewarm.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 24-25 & Mark 9:2-29... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 24-25; </div>
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1Sa 24:1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. </div>
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1Sa 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. </div>
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1Sa 24:3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. </div>
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1Sa 24:4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. </div>
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1Sa 24:5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. </div>
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1Sa 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 24:7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. </div>
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1Sa 24:8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. </div>
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1Sa 24:9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? </div>
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1Sa 24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed. </div>
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1Sa 24:11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. </div>
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1Sa 24:12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. </div>
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1Sa 24:13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. </div>
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1Sa 24:14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. </div>
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1Sa 24:15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. </div>
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1Sa 24:16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. </div>
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1Sa 24:17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. </div>
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1Sa 24:18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. </div>
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1Sa 24:19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. </div>
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1Sa 24:20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. </div>
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1Sa 24:21 Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house. </div>
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1Sa 24:22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold. </div>
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1 Samuel 25;</div>
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1Sa 25:1 And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran. </div>
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1Sa 25:2 And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. </div>
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1Sa 25:3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb. </div>
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1Sa 25:4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep. </div>
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1Sa 25:5 And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: </div>
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1Sa 25:6 And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast. </div>
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1Sa 25:7 And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. </div>
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1Sa 25:8 Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David. </div>
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1Sa 25:9 And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. </div>
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1Sa 25:10 And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. </div>
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1Sa 25:11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? </div>
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1Sa 25:12 So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings. </div>
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1Sa 25:13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff. </div>
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1Sa 25:14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. </div>
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1Sa 25:15 But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: </div>
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1Sa 25:16 They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. </div>
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1Sa 25:17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. </div>
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1Sa 25:18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. </div>
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1Sa 25:19 And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal. </div>
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1Sa 25:20 And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them. </div>
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1Sa 25:21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good. </div>
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1Sa 25:22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. </div>
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1Sa 25:23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, </div>
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1Sa 25:24 And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. </div>
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1Sa 25:25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. </div>
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1Sa 25:26 Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. </div>
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1Sa 25:27 And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. </div>
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1Sa 25:28 I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. </div>
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1Sa 25:29 Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling. </div>
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1Sa 25:30 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; </div>
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1Sa 25:31 That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid. </div>
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1Sa 25:32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: </div>
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1Sa 25:33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. </div>
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1Sa 25:34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. </div>
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1Sa 25:35 So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person. </div>
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1Sa 25:36 And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light. </div>
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1Sa 25:37 But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. </div>
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1Sa 25:38 And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died. </div>
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1Sa 25:39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife. </div>
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1Sa 25:40 And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife. </div>
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1Sa 25:41 And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord. </div>
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1Sa 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. </div>
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1Sa 25:43 David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives. </div>
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1Sa 25:44 But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim. </div>
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Mark 9:2-29</div>
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Mar 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. </div>
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Mar 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. </div>
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Mar 9:4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. </div>
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Mar 9:5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. </div>
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Mar 9:6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. </div>
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Mar 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. </div>
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Mar 9:8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. </div>
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Mar 9:9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. </div>
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Mar 9:10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. </div>
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Mar 9:11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? </div>
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Mar 9:12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. </div>
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Mar 9:13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. </div>
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Mar 9:14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. </div>
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Mar 9:15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. </div>
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Mar 9:16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? </div>
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Mar 9:17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; </div>
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Mar 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. </div>
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Mar 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. </div>
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Mar 9:20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. </div>
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Mar 9:21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. </div>
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Mar 9:22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. </div>
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Mar 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. </div>
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Mar 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. </div>
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Mar 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. </div>
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Mar 9:26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. </div>
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Mar 9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. </div>
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Mar 9:28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? </div>
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Mar 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-55800248451627986832015-05-13T23:29:00.002+01:002015-05-13T23:29:37.073+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (THURSDAY 14 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye</div>
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Thursday May 14</div>
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YOU NEED THE DIVINE TOUCH</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.</div>
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Matthew 9:21</div>
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Read: Matthew 9:20-22</div>
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20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: </div>
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21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. </div>
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22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole And the woman was made whole from that hour.</div>
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Message</div>
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The entrance of sin into this world destroyed so many things about humanity. It provoked God to pronounce a curse on the ground and banish mankind to a life of sorrow and pain in Genesis 3:16-17:</div>
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"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;"</div>
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The unifying theme of God's pronouncements on Adam and Eve was sorrow. From that moment onwards, sorrow has been a heritage of humanity. But praise God, because whatever the Almighty God touches is bound to be good, irrespective of its initial condition. This is why every man born of a woman needs the divine touch of God. Only the regeneration of a man's spirit through God's divine touch can put an end to his heritage of sorrow.</div>
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In today's Bible reading, we see a woman in whom the heritage of sorrow manifested as an issue of blood for twelve years! In Luke 8:43, the Bible says she had spent all she had in seeking healing from physicians to no avail. At this point in her life, only a divine touch could put an end to her years of agony and sorrow. Then one day, she came across the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. Her faith was so strong; she believed in her heart that all she needed from Him was a passive divine touch. She believed that based on the power in the divine touch, she did not need an active touch for her to be made whole. This singular act of faith was commended by Jesus Himself. I pray for someone using this devotional that your day of deliverance is here in Jesus' Name. The Almighty God will touch and perfect everything concerning you in Jesus' Name.</div>
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It is most unfortunate that the divine touch of God is going around the world today through the power of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, but it is being rejected in many quarters. No wonder Jesus wept and lamented in Luke 19:41-42. The woman with the issue of blood recognised the person of Jesus. She knew her contact with His divinity would solve her problem, and so it was. Once, again may the Lord touch you today as you yield to Him in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, please touch me with your mighty power of deliverance today in Jesus Name.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 21:10-23:29 & Mark 8:22-9:1... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 21:10-23:29; </div>
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1Sa 21:10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. </div>
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1Sa 21:11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? </div>
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1Sa 21:12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. </div>
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1Sa 21:13 And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. </div>
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1Sa 21:14 Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? </div>
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1Sa 21:15 Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house? </div>
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1 Samuel 22</div>
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1Sa 22:1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. </div>
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1Sa 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. </div>
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1Sa 22:3 And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. </div>
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1Sa 22:4 And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold. </div>
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1Sa 22:5 And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth. </div>
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1Sa 22:6 When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;) </div>
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1Sa 22:7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; </div>
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1Sa 22:8 That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? </div>
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1Sa 22:9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. </div>
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1Sa 22:10 And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine. </div>
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1Sa 22:11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king. </div>
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1Sa 22:12 And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. </div>
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1Sa 22:13 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? </div>
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1Sa 22:14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? </div>
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1Sa 22:15 Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. </div>
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1Sa 22:16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. </div>
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1Sa 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 22:18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. </div>
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1Sa 22:19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. </div>
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1Sa 22:20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. </div>
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1Sa 22:21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests. </div>
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1Sa 22:22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house. </div>
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1Sa 22:23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard. </div>
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1 Samuel 23:29;</div>
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1Sa 23:1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors. </div>
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1Sa 23:2 Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. </div>
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1Sa 23:3 And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? </div>
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1Sa 23:4 Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand. </div>
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1Sa 23:5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. </div>
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1Sa 23:6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. </div>
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1Sa 23:7 And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars. </div>
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1Sa 23:8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. </div>
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1Sa 23:9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. </div>
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1Sa 23:10 Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. </div>
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1Sa 23:11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down. </div>
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1Sa 23:12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up. </div>
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1Sa 23:13 Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth. </div>
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1Sa 23:14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. </div>
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1Sa 23:15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. </div>
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1Sa 23:16 And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. </div>
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1Sa 23:17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. </div>
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1Sa 23:18 And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. </div>
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1Sa 23:19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? </div>
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1Sa 23:20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand. </div>
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1Sa 23:21 And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. </div>
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1Sa 23:22 Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly. </div>
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1Sa 23:23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah. </div>
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1Sa 23:24 And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. </div>
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1Sa 23:25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. </div>
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1Sa 23:26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. </div>
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1Sa 23:27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. </div>
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1Sa 23:28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. </div>
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1Sa 23:29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi. </div>
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Mark 8:22-9:1</div>
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Mar 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. </div>
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Mar 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. </div>
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Mar 8:24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. </div>
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Mar 8:25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. </div>
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Mar 8:26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town. </div>
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Mar 8:27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? </div>
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Mar 8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. </div>
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Mar 8:29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. </div>
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Mar 8:30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. </div>
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Mar 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. </div>
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Mar 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. </div>
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Mar 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. </div>
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Mar 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. </div>
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Mar 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. </div>
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Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? </div>
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Mar 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? </div>
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Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. </div>
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Mark 9:1</div>
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Mar 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-88520917189449868932015-05-13T02:47:00.004+01:002015-05-13T02:47:48.448+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (WEDNESDAY 13 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye</div>
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Wednesday May 13</div>
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YOU CAN BE REPLACED!</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.</div>
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Revelation 3:11</div>
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Read: Esther 7:9-8:2</div>
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9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.</div>
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2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.</div>
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Message</div>
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It is great folly to contend with God. This is why I pity those societies that have become anti-God and are challenging His commandments. God spoke about such people in Isaiah 45:9, saying:</div>
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"Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?"</div>
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God can enthrone and dethrone at will. He does whatever pleases Him. You are blessed when God acts positively towards you, but if He decides to move against you, pray for His mercy. The Bible in Daniel 2:21 says:</div>
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"And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:"</div>
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It is a grievous experience when God decides to replace an individual. Haman the Agagite experienced this, and you can see the result in our Bible reading today. King Ahasuerus promoted Haman above all his fellow princes. However, he thought it was by his own making that the promotion came. Little did he know that promotion does not come from the east or west, but from the Almighty God alone (Psalm 75:6-7). So, he began to misuse his highly exalted position to victimise the people of God. He continued to misbehave along this line until the Almighty God who ordained his promotion decided not only to demote him, but also to replace him. I pray for you as a child of God, that whosoever is using his or her position to victimise you shall be replaced in Jesus' Name.</div>
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For God not to replace you, you must learn from those He has replaced. You can be replaced if you don't make the best of the position of authority you are given to serve God's people. Beware of divine replacement because it can affect your future generations. Eli was replaced, and his house lost the priesthood forever. God categorically said that although He was the One who said Eli's house would walk before Him as priests forever, He had changed His mind about this (1 Samuel 2:30). Please run away from whatever will make God replace you. If you have done such things, you must repent quickly before he removes your candlestick (Revelation 2:5).</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Dear Holy Spirit, nudge my heart away from doing anything that will make the Father replace me in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 20:1-21:9 & Mark 8:1-21... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 20:1-21:9; </div>
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1Sa 20:1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? </div>
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1Sa 20:2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so. </div>
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1Sa 20:3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death. </div>
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1Sa 20:4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee. </div>
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1Sa 20:5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. </div>
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1Sa 20:6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. </div>
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1Sa 20:7 If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him. </div>
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1Sa 20:8 Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father? </div>
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1Sa 20:9 And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee? </div>
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1Sa 20:10 Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly? </div>
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1Sa 20:11 And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field. </div>
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1Sa 20:12 And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee; </div>
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1Sa 20:13 The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father. </div>
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1Sa 20:14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: </div>
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1Sa 20:15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. </div>
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1Sa 20:16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies. </div>
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1Sa 20:17 And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul. </div>
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1Sa 20:18 Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. </div>
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1Sa 20:19 And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel. </div>
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1Sa 20:20 And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. </div>
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1Sa 20:21 And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth. </div>
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1Sa 20:22 But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away. </div>
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1Sa 20:23 And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever. </div>
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1Sa 20:24 So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat. </div>
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1Sa 20:25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty. </div>
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1Sa 20:26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean. </div>
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1Sa 20:27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day? </div>
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1Sa 20:28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: </div>
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1Sa 20:29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table. </div>
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1Sa 20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? </div>
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1Sa 20:31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die. </div>
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1Sa 20:32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? </div>
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1Sa 20:33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. </div>
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1Sa 20:34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame. </div>
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1Sa 20:35 And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him. </div>
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1Sa 20:36 And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. </div>
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1Sa 20:37 And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee? </div>
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1Sa 20:38 And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master. </div>
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1Sa 20:39 But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter. </div>
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1Sa 20:40 And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city. </div>
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1Sa 20:41 And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. </div>
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1Sa 20:42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city. </div>
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1 Samuel 21:9; </div>
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1Sa 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? </div>
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1Sa 21:2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. </div>
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1Sa 21:3 Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. </div>
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1Sa 21:4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. </div>
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1Sa 21:5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. </div>
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1Sa 21:6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away. </div>
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1Sa 21:7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul. </div>
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1Sa 21:8 And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. </div>
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1Sa 21:9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me. </div>
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Mark 8:1-21</div>
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Mar 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, </div>
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Mar 8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: </div>
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Mar 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. </div>
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Mar 8:4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? </div>
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Mar 8:5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. </div>
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Mar 8:6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. </div>
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Mar 8:7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. </div>
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Mar 8:8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. </div>
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Mar 8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. </div>
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Mar 8:10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. </div>
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Mar 8:11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. </div>
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Mar 8:12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. </div>
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Mar 8:13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side. </div>
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Mar 8:14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. </div>
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Mar 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. </div>
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Mar 8:16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. </div>
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Mar 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? </div>
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Mar 8:18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? </div>
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Mar 8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. </div>
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Mar 8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. </div>
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Mar 8:21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand? </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-82465498759604632252015-05-12T00:47:00.001+01:002015-05-12T00:47:18.697+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (TUESDAY 12 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye</div>
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Tuesday May 12</div>
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DIVINE INVOLVEMENT COMPARED</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.</div>
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Numbers 11:17</div>
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Read: Exodus 2:13-15; Exodus 3:7-8</div>
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13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? </div>
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14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. </div>
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15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.</div>
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Exodus 3:7-8</div>
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7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; </div>
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8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.</div>
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Message</div>
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When God is involved in your matter, you can go to bed and sleep with your two eyes closed; the simple reason being that He can handle any situation better than you. When Moses attempted to deliver the Israelites by his own might, he ended up fleeing and leaving a mess behind, but when the Almighty God Himself got involved in the project of delivering His people, Egypt was never the same again. I prophesy to someone using this devotional, that the Almighty God will get involved in your situation today in Jesus' Name. At the end of God's intervention in Egypt, the Bible records this in Exodus 12:30-31:</div>
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"And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said."</div>
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Now, let us compare the difference between the result of Moses' attempt at deliverance and the result achieved after God got directly involved. The Bible says Moses went out one day to see the affliction of his brethren. Moved with compassion, he decided to take up the role of "self-made hero". Before he knew it, he became a fugitive, because after he had killed a man, Pharaoh sought to take his own life also. So, Moses ran for dear life. But when God got involved, it was a different ball-game. After thousands of Egyptians were slain in one night, Pharaoh was the one begging Moses to leave his land in peace! Divine involvement made the difference. If you are one of those who believe in human connections in high places, I encourage you to invite God into that situation that is almost causing embarrassment to you and your family. Once God gets involved, the results will make you think you are day-dreaming. Psalm 126:1 says: </div>
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"When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream."</div>
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To enjoy divine involvement in your situation, you must be numbered among the people of the Lord of Hosts. You don't have to fight the battle of life alone if you are one of His. Call on Him today. He will get involved, and you will glorify Him.</div>
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Action Point:</div>
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Cry to God and report all those afflicting you to Him. He will get involved if you belong to Him.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 17:55-19:24 & Mark 7:14-37... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 17:55-19:24; </div>
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1Sa 17:55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. </div>
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1Sa 17:56 And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is. </div>
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1Sa 17:57 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. </div>
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1Sa 17:58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite. </div>
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1 Samuel 18</div>
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1Sa 18:1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. </div>
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1Sa 18:2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. </div>
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1Sa 18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. </div>
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1Sa 18:4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. </div>
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1Sa 18:5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. </div>
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1Sa 18:6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. </div>
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1Sa 18:7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. </div>
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1Sa 18:8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? </div>
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1Sa 18:9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. </div>
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1Sa 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand. </div>
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1Sa 18:11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. </div>
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1Sa 18:12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. </div>
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1Sa 18:13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. </div>
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1Sa 18:14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. </div>
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1Sa 18:15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. </div>
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1Sa 18:16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. </div>
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1Sa 18:17 And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him. </div>
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1Sa 18:18 And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king? </div>
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1Sa 18:19 But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife. </div>
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1Sa 18:20 And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. </div>
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1Sa 18:21 And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain. </div>
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1Sa 18:22 And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law. </div>
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1Sa 18:23 And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed? </div>
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1Sa 18:24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David. </div>
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1Sa 18:25 And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. </div>
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1Sa 18:26 And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired. </div>
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1Sa 18:27 Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife. </div>
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1Sa 18:28 And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him. </div>
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1Sa 18:29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually. </div>
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1Sa 18:30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by. </div>
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1Sa 19:1 And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. </div>
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1Sa 19:2 But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: </div>
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1Sa 19:3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. </div>
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1Sa 19:4 And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: </div>
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1Sa 19:5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? </div>
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1Sa 19:6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain. </div>
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1Sa 19:7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past. </div>
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1Sa 19:8 And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him. </div>
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1Sa 19:9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. </div>
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1Sa 19:10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night. </div>
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1Sa 19:11 Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain. </div>
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1Sa 19:12 So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped. </div>
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1Sa 19:13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth. </div>
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1Sa 19:14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick. </div>
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1Sa 19:15 And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him. </div>
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1Sa 19:16 And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster. </div>
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1Sa 19:17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee? </div>
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1Sa 19:18 So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth. </div>
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1Sa 19:19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah. </div>
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1Sa 19:20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. </div>
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1Sa 19:21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. </div>
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1Sa 19:22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah. </div>
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1Sa 19:23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. </div>
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1Sa 19:24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? </div>
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Mark 7:14-37</div>
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Mar 7:14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: </div>
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Mar 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. </div>
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Mar 7:16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. </div>
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Mar 7:17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. </div>
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Mar 7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; </div>
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Mar 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? </div>
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Mar 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. </div>
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Mar 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, </div>
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Mar 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: </div>
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Mar 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. </div>
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Mar 7:24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. </div>
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Mar 7:25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: </div>
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Mar 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. </div>
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Mar 7:27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. </div>
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Mar 7:28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. </div>
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Mar 7:29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. </div>
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Mar 7:30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed. </div>
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Mar 7:31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. </div>
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Mar 7:32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. </div>
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Mar 7:33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; </div>
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Mar 7:34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. </div>
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Mar 7:35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. </div>
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Mar 7:36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; </div>
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Mar 7:37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-81877376390613877122015-05-10T21:53:00.000+01:002015-05-10T21:53:12.478+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (MONDAY 11 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye</div>
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Monday May 11</div>
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PRESS INTO YOUR DAY OF FAVOUR</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.</div>
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Psalm 5:12</div>
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Read: Esther 5:1-3</div>
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1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. </div>
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2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. </div>
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3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.</div>
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Message</div>
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Queen Esther is one person who pressed into her day of favour. Her experience should serve as a template for us all. She obtained favour in the sight of the king because it was the day of her favour. Be aware that the law of the land during this period was that nobody could go into the king's inner court uninvited. Disobeying this law was equivalent to a suicide mission. But Esther went to the king in his inner court uninvited, and she lived because of favour.</div>
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The first lesson to take note of from our template is that Queen Esther did not go to the inner court of the king's house until after three days of fasting and prayers were over. Secondly, she went into the inner court in her royal apparel, not in kitchen aprons. What does this suggest to us? It shows us that righteousness must be the garment of any person who desires God's favour, just as stated in our memory verse. The third lesson to note is that the Queen was found standing in the court. Are you still in good standing with God, or have you for one reason or the other backslidden? To be favoured of men, you must be in good standing with God. Carefully consider the location of the king on the day of Esther's favour. </div>
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This is the fourth lesson to note. Esther 5:1 says that:</div>
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"...and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house."</div>
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Is the King of kings on the throne of your life? Do not expect the day of His favour to come if He is not. Note that the king sat against the gate of the house, overseeing everything. What will God find in you when He looks towards your direction today? Will He find filthy garments of sin or royal garments of righteousness? Imagine Esther in a kind of attire that was unbecoming, the story would have been different. A lot of people go to the sanctuary of the King of kings half-naked in the name of fashion. This they do contrary to the Lord's directive in Exodus 20:26:</div>
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"Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." </div>
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The key message here is that your nakedness must not be seen by other worshippers, thereby distracting them. The Almighty God is at the gate of your heart knocking (Revelation 3:20). Will you open for Him to come in and show you His favour today? You have agonised enough; surrender your life to the One who can grant you favour today. I prophesy to your life that today is your day of favour in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, let all men and all things work together for my favour today in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 17:1-54 & Mark 6:53-7:13... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 17:1-54; </div>
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1Sa 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. </div>
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1Sa 17:2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. </div>
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1Sa 17:3 And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. </div>
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1Sa 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. </div>
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1Sa 17:5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. </div>
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1Sa 17:6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. </div>
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1Sa 17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. </div>
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1Sa 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. </div>
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1Sa 17:9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. </div>
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1Sa 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. </div>
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1Sa 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid. </div>
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1Sa 17:12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul. </div>
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1Sa 17:13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. </div>
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1Sa 17:14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul. </div>
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1Sa 17:15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. </div>
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1Sa 17:16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. </div>
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1Sa 17:17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; </div>
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1Sa 17:18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. </div>
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1Sa 17:19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. </div>
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1Sa 17:20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. </div>
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1Sa 17:21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. </div>
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1Sa 17:22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. </div>
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1Sa 17:23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them. </div>
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1Sa 17:24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. </div>
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1Sa 17:25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel. </div>
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1Sa 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? </div>
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1Sa 17:27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him. </div>
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1Sa 17:28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. </div>
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1Sa 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? </div>
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1Sa 17:30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner. </div>
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1Sa 17:31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him. </div>
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1Sa 17:32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. </div>
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1Sa 17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. </div>
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1Sa 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: </div>
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1Sa 17:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. </div>
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1Sa 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. </div>
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1Sa 17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. </div>
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1Sa 17:38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. </div>
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1Sa 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. </div>
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1Sa 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. </div>
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1Sa 17:41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. </div>
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1Sa 17:42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. </div>
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1Sa 17:43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. </div>
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1Sa 17:44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. </div>
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1Sa 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. </div>
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1Sa 17:46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. </div>
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1Sa 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. </div>
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1Sa 17:48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. </div>
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1Sa 17:49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. </div>
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1Sa 17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. </div>
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1Sa 17:51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. </div>
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1Sa 17:52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. </div>
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1Sa 17:53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents. </div>
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1Sa 17:54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent. </div>
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Mark 6:53-7:13</div>
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Mar 6:53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. </div>
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Mar 6:54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, </div>
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Mar 6:55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. </div>
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Mar 6:56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. </div>
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Mark 7:13</div>
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Mar 7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. </div>
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Mar 7:2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. </div>
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Mar 7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. </div>
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Mar 7:4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. </div>
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Mar 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? </div>
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Mar 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. </div>
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Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. </div>
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Mar 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. </div>
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Mar 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. </div>
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Mar 7:10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: </div>
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Mar 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. </div>
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Mar 7:12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; </div>
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Mar 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-60049085319722563072015-05-09T22:30:00.001+01:002015-05-09T22:30:04.782+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (SUNDAY 10 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye</div>
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Sunday May 10</div>
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SIGNS OF HIS PRESENCE</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.</div>
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Psalm 100:2</div>
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Read: 2 Samuel 6:10-12</div>
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10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. </div>
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11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household. </div>
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12 And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.</div>
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Message</div>
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When Moses tenaciously requested that the presence of the Almighty God should follow them in their journey to the Promised Land, he knew what he was doing (Exodus 33:14-16). Many children of God don't value the presence of God, and so they don't bother to ensure that they are in His presence or that He is present in their situations. The proof of this observation can be seen in what some so-called children of God do in supposedly secret places. If such people had formed the habit of craving God's presence wherever they go, they would not indulge in such things. Nobody would steal or fornicate if he or she desires or carries God's presence wherever he or she might be.</div>
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From today's Bible reading, the signs of God's presence in the household of Obed-Edom were apparent. David, out of fear of death, rejected the presence of the Lord symbolised by the Ark of the Covenant, because Uzzah died suddenly when he erroneously touched it. An adage in my native tongue says: "Cutting off the head is not the right cure for a headache." This was exactly what David did; he rejected the presence of the Lord instead of finding out how to behave in God's presence. A lot of people don't want to come to Church because they feel sad whenever they come. They feel sad because the pastor makes them feel guilty by his sermons! Such people don't know what they are missing when they run away from God's presence. Psalm 16:11says:</div>
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"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."</div>
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Three months after David had shunned the presence of the Lord as represented by the Ark, God had so blessed the house of Obed-Edom who accepted the Ark, that David himself heard about it. David then realised his folly in rejecting the presence of the Lord. The Bible in 2 Samuel 6:12 says:</div>
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"And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness."</div>
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When I encourage some of my children to surrender their houses for use as House Fellowship meeting points, some do not realise that I'm only trying to bring God's presence into their homes for blessings and protection. God will not allow evil in any house being used as a meeting place for His praise. I pray that God's presence shall be upon you and you will rejoice in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, just like You did for Moses, let Your presence follow me all the days of my life in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 15-16 & Mark 6:30-52... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 15-16; </div>
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1Sa 15:1 Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 15:2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. </div>
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1Sa 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. </div>
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1Sa 15:4 And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. </div>
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1Sa 15:5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. </div>
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1Sa 15:6 And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. </div>
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1Sa 15:7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. </div>
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1Sa 15:8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. </div>
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1Sa 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. </div>
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1Sa 15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, </div>
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1Sa 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. </div>
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1Sa 15:12 And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. </div>
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1Sa 15:13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 15:14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? </div>
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1Sa 15:15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. </div>
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1Sa 15:16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. </div>
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1Sa 15:17 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? </div>
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1Sa 15:18 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. </div>
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1Sa 15:19 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? </div>
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1Sa 15:20 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. </div>
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1Sa 15:21 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. </div>
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1Sa 15:22 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. </div>
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1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. </div>
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1Sa 15:24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. </div>
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1Sa 15:25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 15:26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. </div>
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1Sa 15:27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. </div>
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1Sa 15:28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. </div>
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1Sa 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. </div>
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1Sa 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. </div>
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1Sa 15:31 So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 15:32 Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. </div>
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1Sa 15:33 And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal. </div>
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1Sa 15:34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. </div>
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1Sa 15:35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. </div>
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1 Samuel 16; </div>
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1Sa 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. </div>
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1Sa 16:2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 16:3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. </div>
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1Sa 16:4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? </div>
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1Sa 16:5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. </div>
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1Sa 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him. </div>
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1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. </div>
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1Sa 16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. </div>
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1Sa 16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. </div>
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1Sa 16:10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. </div>
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1Sa 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. </div>
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1Sa 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. </div>
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1Sa 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. </div>
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1Sa 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. </div>
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1Sa 16:15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. </div>
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1Sa 16:16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. </div>
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1Sa 16:17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. </div>
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1Sa 16:18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. </div>
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1Sa 16:19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. </div>
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1Sa 16:20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. </div>
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1Sa 16:21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. </div>
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1Sa 16:22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. </div>
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1Sa 16:23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. </div>
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Mark 6:30-52</div>
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Mar 6:30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. </div>
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Mar 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. </div>
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Mar 6:32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. </div>
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Mar 6:33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. </div>
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Mar 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. </div>
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Mar 6:35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: </div>
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Mar 6:36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. </div>
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Mar 6:37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? </div>
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Mar 6:38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. </div>
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Mar 6:39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. </div>
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Mar 6:40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. </div>
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Mar 6:41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. </div>
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Mar 6:42 And they did all eat, and were filled. </div>
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Mar 6:43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. </div>
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Mar 6:44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. </div>
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Mar 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. </div>
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Mar 6:46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. </div>
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Mar 6:47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. </div>
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Mar 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. </div>
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Mar 6:49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: </div>
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Mar 6:50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. </div>
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Mar 6:51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. </div>
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Mar 6:52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-34791465181940921012015-05-08T23:18:00.002+01:002015-05-09T15:14:12.485+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye</div>
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Saturday May 9</div>
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ENGAGE IN WONDER-WORKING PRAISE</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.</div>
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Psalm 22:3</div>
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Read: Acts 16:25-26</div>
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25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. </div>
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26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.</div>
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Message</div>
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Praise directed towards God is a lethal weapon of spiritual warfare. This is so because God inhabits the praises of His people. Children of God must not joke with their praise life. It would be logical to say that if prayer is the "master key", then praise is the "principal key". You need to catch the revelation of what the Psalmist is saying in Psalm 22:3: </div>
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"But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel."</div>
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In other words, God, the wonder-working Father, dwells in the praises of His people. The implication of this revelation is that wherever God is, the supernatural is always present. In the habitation of the Almighty, wonder-working power is present and breakthrough is commonplace. However, we must get it right; it is the praise we channel towards God that He receives. God will only take what you give to Him. Those who sing the praise of pastors or of themselves, particularly during testimony time, are missing a great point without knowing it. It is not your prayer or the prayer of your pastor that did the wonders; rather, it is the mercy of God in action upon your life. He alone deserves your praise.</div>
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Although Paul and Silas were kept in prison, they did something unusual of people in trouble. Even when people know that they are the architect of their own problems, they still try to justify themselves by raining curses on their tormentors. This was not the attitude of Paul and Silas. Their case was different because they were apprehended for preaching the gospel. They were thoroughly beaten and cast into prison. While they sang praises, the Almighty God came to inhabit their praises. This should not be surprising, because the promises of God are Yea and Amen. He had already promised that He would inhabit the praises of His people. Since this is true, what prison gate could have resisted the coming of the King of glory? None! It is written:</div>
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"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in."</div>
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Psalm 24:7</div>
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Paul and Silas engaged in wonder-working praise and they experienced wonders in their ministries. God is no respecter of persons; what He did for them, He can do for you also. Learn to engage in the praise of God to unleash His wonder-working power. I pray that as you engage in the praise of the Almighty God, you shall receive the wonders of a life-time in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Action Point:</div>
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Devote at least one hour to the praise of God the Almighty without asking for anything.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 14 & Mark 6:7-29... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 14; </div>
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1Sa 14:1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father. </div>
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1Sa 14:2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men; </div>
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1Sa 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. </div>
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1Sa 14:4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. </div>
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1Sa 14:5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. </div>
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1Sa 14:6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. </div>
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1Sa 14:7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. </div>
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1Sa 14:8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. </div>
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1Sa 14:9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. </div>
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1Sa 14:10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. </div>
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1Sa 14:11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. </div>
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1Sa 14:12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. </div>
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1Sa 14:13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. </div>
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1Sa 14:14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. </div>
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1Sa 14:15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. </div>
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1Sa 14:16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. </div>
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1Sa 14:17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there. </div>
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1Sa 14:18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. </div>
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1Sa 14:19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand. </div>
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1Sa 14:20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. </div>
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1Sa 14:21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. </div>
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1Sa 14:22 Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. </div>
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1Sa 14:23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven. </div>
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1Sa 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. </div>
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1Sa 14:25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. </div>
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1Sa 14:26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. </div>
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1Sa 14:27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. </div>
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1Sa 14:28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint. </div>
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1Sa 14:29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. </div>
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1Sa 14:30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? </div>
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1Sa 14:31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. </div>
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1Sa 14:32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood. </div>
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1Sa 14:33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. </div>
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1Sa 14:34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. </div>
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1Sa 14:35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 14:36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. </div>
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1Sa 14:37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. </div>
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1Sa 14:38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. </div>
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1Sa 14:39 For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. </div>
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1Sa 14:40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee. </div>
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1Sa 14:41 Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. </div>
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1Sa 14:42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. </div>
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1Sa 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die. </div>
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1Sa 14:44 And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. </div>
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1Sa 14:45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. </div>
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1Sa 14:46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place. </div>
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1Sa 14:47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. </div>
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1Sa 14:48 And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. </div>
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1Sa 14:49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: </div>
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1Sa 14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. </div>
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1Sa 14:51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. </div>
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1Sa 14:52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him. </div>
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Mark 6:7-29</div>
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Mar 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; </div>
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Mar 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: </div>
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Mar 6:9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. </div>
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Mar 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. </div>
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Mar 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. </div>
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Mar 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. </div>
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Mar 6:13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. </div>
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Mar 6:14 And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. </div>
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Mar 6:15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. </div>
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Mar 6:16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. </div>
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Mar 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. </div>
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Mar 6:18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. </div>
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Mar 6:19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: </div>
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Mar 6:20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. </div>
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Mar 6:21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; </div>
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Mar 6:22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. </div>
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Mar 6:23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. </div>
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Mar 6:24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. </div>
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Mar 6:25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. </div>
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Mar 6:26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. </div>
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Mar 6:27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, </div>
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Mar 6:28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. </div>
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Mar 6:29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-81810695799781225082015-05-07T23:43:00.000+01:002015-05-09T15:14:25.996+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (FRIDAY 8 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye</div>
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Friday May 8</div>
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PRAYING WONDER-WORKING PRAYERS</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.</div>
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Luke 6:12</div>
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Read: John 11:41-44</div>
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41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. </div>
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42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. </div>
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43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. </div>
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44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.</div>
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Message</div>
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When we sing the song "Prayer is the master key", I sometimes wonder whether we really understand what we are singing about. For some people, prayer is a religious routine, but there is a type of prayer that has wonder-working powers. Our Lord Jesus Christ set a good example of this type of prayer in our Bible reading today. Let us look at His prayer in detail to better understand how to engage in prayers that produce wonders.</div>
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When Jesus got to the tomb of Lazarus, the first thing He did was to give thanks to His Father for two wonderful reasons: that the Father had heard Him, even before praying, and that the Father always hears Him! Moreover, Jesus Christ did not pray the "gentleman's prayer" that is common in many so-called elitist Christian organisations. The Bible in John 11:43 says:</div>
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"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth."</div>
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I always tell my children in the Redeemed Christian Church of God that the intensity of your prayer will tell God how urgently you want your miracle. Whether you believe it or not, God will listen to the one who cries aloud to Him for help before He listens to those who whisper their requests. If you don't believe me, ask blind Bartimaeus. Among all those following Jesus on His way out of Jericho, only the one who cried out got his need met (Mark 10:47-52).</div>
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Also, in the prayer of our Lord at the tomb of Lazarus, we can see Him expressing His faith in what His Father is capable of doing. We can also perceive the cordial relationship between the Son and the Father in this prayer. This relationship gave the Son the confidence to ask the Father what He knew would glorify the Father. Jesus would not ask for anything that did not bring glory to His Father. Many times, we pray and receive no answer. Some might think that God is on holiday at such times; not at all. The Bible gives us one reason why we do not receive answers to our prayers in James 4:3:</div>
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"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."</div>
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Another reason is that a life of sin robs us of the confidence we need to ask God in faith. Beloved, how is your relationship with the Almighty God? Remember, your prayer can work wonders today.</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, grant me the grace to maintain a cordial relationship with You, so that my prayers to You may continue to produce wonders to the glory of Your Name.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 12-13 & Mark 5:21-6:6... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 12-13; </div>
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1Sa 12:1 And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. </div>
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1Sa 12:2 And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day. </div>
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1Sa 12:3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. </div>
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1Sa 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand. </div>
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1Sa 12:5 And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness. </div>
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1Sa 12:6 And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. </div>
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1Sa 12:7 Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers. </div>
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1Sa 12:8 When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place. </div>
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1Sa 12:9 And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. </div>
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1Sa 12:10 And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee. </div>
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1Sa 12:11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe. </div>
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1Sa 12:12 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king. </div>
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1Sa 12:13 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. </div>
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1Sa 12:14 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: </div>
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1Sa 12:15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers. </div>
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1Sa 12:16 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. </div>
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1Sa 12:17 Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. </div>
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1Sa 12:18 So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. </div>
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1Sa 12:19 And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. </div>
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1Sa 12:20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; </div>
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1Sa 12:21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. </div>
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1Sa 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. </div>
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1Sa 12:23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: </div>
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1Sa 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. </div>
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1Sa 12:25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. </div>
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1 Samuel 13;</div>
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1Sa 13:1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, </div>
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1Sa 13:2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. </div>
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1Sa 13:3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. </div>
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1Sa 13:4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal. </div>
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1Sa 13:5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven. </div>
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1Sa 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. </div>
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1Sa 13:7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. </div>
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1Sa 13:8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. </div>
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1Sa 13:9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. </div>
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1Sa 13:10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. </div>
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1Sa 13:11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; </div>
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1Sa 13:12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. </div>
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1Sa 13:13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. </div>
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1Sa 13:14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee. </div>
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1Sa 13:15 And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. </div>
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1Sa 13:16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. </div>
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1Sa 13:17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: </div>
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1Sa 13:18 And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. </div>
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1Sa 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: </div>
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1Sa 13:20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. </div>
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1Sa 13:21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. </div>
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1Sa 13:22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. </div>
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1Sa 13:23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash. </div>
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Mark 5:21-6:6</div>
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Mar 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. </div>
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Mar 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, </div>
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Mar 5:23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. </div>
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Mar 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. </div>
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Mar 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, </div>
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Mar 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, </div>
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Mar 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. </div>
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Mar 5:28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. </div>
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Mar 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. </div>
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Mar 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? </div>
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Mar 5:31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? </div>
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Mar 5:32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. </div>
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Mar 5:33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. </div>
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Mar 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. </div>
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Mar 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? </div>
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Mar 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. </div>
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Mar 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. </div>
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Mar 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. </div>
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Mar 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. </div>
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Mar 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. </div>
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Mar 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. </div>
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Mar 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. </div>
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Mar 5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat. </div>
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Mark 6:6</div>
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Mar 6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. </div>
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Mar 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? </div>
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Mar 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. </div>
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Mar 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. </div>
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Mar 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. </div>
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Mar 6:6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-56972997314561257712015-05-06T23:18:00.001+01:002015-05-09T15:14:46.057+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (THURSDAY 7 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye</div>
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Thursday May 7</div>
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WHAT'S IN A NAME?</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.</div>
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Luke 24:47</div>
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Read: Luke 1:30-35</div>
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30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. </div>
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31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. </div>
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32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: </div>
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33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. </div>
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34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? </div>
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35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.</div>
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Message</div>
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God attaches great significance to names. It is unfortunate that many people don't pay attention to the importance of the names they bear or the names they give to their children. Africans, like the Jews, consider the meaning of a name before they give it to their children or to someone else. The Name that the Almighty God chose to give to His only begotten Son is very significant. It is a wonder-working Name. In Matthew 1:21, we are told the reason why the miracle child Mary would give birth to should bear the Name Jesus:</div>
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"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."</div>
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Salvation from sin is the greatest wonder in the history of mankind because the Bible expressly declares sin as a plague affecting all men. Romans 3:23 says that:</div>
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"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"</div>
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The Name Jesus therefore proclaims to the world thus: "Behold the Man who came to achieve the greatest wonder the world needs." </div>
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This is where practitioners of some other religions get confused. They wonder how the Name of one Man can save another man; not to talk of the claim that this same Name can save all who believe in it. They wonder silently and loudly; they try to rationalise the workability of this declaration which God Almighty Himself made concerning His only begotten Son. Beloved, I encourage you not to bother about how it works. Evidence abounds as to how on the merit of this Name, souls have received and are receiving the forgiveness of sin. Not only that, the positive transformation that occurs in those who believe in this Name is indisputable proof of the wonders the Name of Jesus performs from generation to generation. </div>
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One of my sons testified that when he believed in the Name of Jesus, not only was he forgiven, he was also miraculous transformed. He experienced the disappearance of curses and abusive words from his vocabulary. He testified that "The curse words could just not come out anymore even when I tried." To have this same experience, I encourage you to surrender your life totally to Him today. You need to identify with the Owner of this Name before it can work for you. God bless you as you do so today in Jesus' Name.</div>
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Action Point:</div>
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Make sure you know and belong to the Owner of the Name, JESUS. By this, you will experience transformational wonders, not only in your spiritual life but also in your family and business.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 10-11 & Mark 5:1-20... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 10-11; </div>
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1Sa 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? </div>
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1Sa 10:2 When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? </div>
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1Sa 10:3 Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: </div>
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1Sa 10:4 And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands. </div>
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1Sa 10:5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: </div>
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1Sa 10:6 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. </div>
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1Sa 10:7 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. </div>
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1Sa 10:8 And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do. </div>
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1Sa 10:9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. </div>
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1Sa 10:10 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. </div>
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1Sa 10:11 And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? </div>
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1Sa 10:12 And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? </div>
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1Sa 10:13 And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place. </div>
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1Sa 10:14 And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel. </div>
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1Sa 10:15 And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you. </div>
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1Sa 10:16 And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not. </div>
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1Sa 10:17 And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh; </div>
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1Sa 10:18 And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you: </div>
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1Sa 10:19 And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands. </div>
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1Sa 10:20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken. </div>
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1Sa 10:21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found. </div>
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1Sa 10:22 Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff. </div>
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1Sa 10:23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. </div>
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1Sa 10:24 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king. </div>
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1Sa 10:25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. </div>
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1Sa 10:26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched. </div>
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1Sa 10:27 But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace. </div>
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1 Samuel 11; </div>
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1Sa 11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee. </div>
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1Sa 11:2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel. </div>
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1Sa 11:3 And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee. </div>
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1Sa 11:4 Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept. </div>
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1Sa 11:5 And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh. </div>
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1Sa 11:6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. </div>
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1Sa 11:7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. </div>
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1Sa 11:8 And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. </div>
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1Sa 11:9 And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. </div>
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1Sa 11:10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you. </div>
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1Sa 11:11 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together. </div>
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1Sa 11:12 And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death. </div>
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1Sa 11:13 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel. </div>
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1Sa 11:14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there. </div>
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1Sa 11:15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. </div>
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Mark 5:1-20</div>
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Mar 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. </div>
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Mar 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, </div>
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Mar 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: </div>
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Mar 5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. </div>
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Mar 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. </div>
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Mar 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, </div>
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Mar 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. </div>
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Mar 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. </div>
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Mar 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. </div>
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Mar 5:10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. </div>
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Mar 5:11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. </div>
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Mar 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. </div>
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Mar 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. </div>
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Mar 5:14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. </div>
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Mar 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. </div>
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Mar 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. </div>
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Mar 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. </div>
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Mar 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. </div>
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Mar 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. </div>
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Mar 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-88739564739532331032015-05-06T19:03:00.001+01:002015-05-09T15:14:58.347+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye</div>
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Wednesday May 6</div>
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POWER IN THE SPOKEN WORD</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.</div>
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Matthew 8:8</div>
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Read: Matthew 8:8-13</div>
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8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. </div>
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9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. </div>
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10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. </div>
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11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. </div>
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12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. </div>
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13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.</div>
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Message</div>
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There is power in the spoken Word of God, and this power produces unspeakable wonders. In fact, the entire universe was formed by the spoken Word of God (2 Peter 3:5). Hence, we must give more earnest heed to the spoken Word of God emanating from genuine men of God. Many people have missed their miracles because they mistook the Word of God for the words of a pastor. They fail to realise that God will not come down to speak His word, but He speaks through His genuine servants. The onus is now on whoever wants God's Word to perform wonders in his or her life to identify genuine ministers of God through whom God speaks. The Bible in 2 Chronicles 20:20b says:</div>
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"Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper."</div>
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How then do you identify a word as being genuinely spoken by God through His servants? The written word, which is the Bible, authenticates and must align with the spoken word (John 16:13, Galatians 1:8). After you have ascertained that the source of a spoken word is clean, and that the word is directly from God, it is your responsibility to believe it. Only then will you receive the miracle you so much desire from God, as it is written in Psalm 107:20:</div>
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"He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."</div>
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Without controversy, there is power in the word of God as spoken by His genuine ministers. However, this power can have a positive or negative effect. We must therefore comport ourselves with wisdom so that the spoken word does not affect us negatively. The spoken word of God which came to the widow of Zarephath through Elijah in 1 Kings 17:14 is a case in point; it says:</div>
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"For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth."</div>
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We see the power in this spoken word, working positively in 1 Kings 17:16:</div>
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"And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah."</div>
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Elijah also spoke concerning the shameful death of the wicked King Ahab in 1 Kings 21:19, and the wonder-working power of the spoken word produced the negative effect of Ahab's death in 1 Kings 22:38.</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, grant me grace to live my life in such a way that it will attract the positive wonders of Your spoken Word.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 8-9 & Mark 4:21-41... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 8-9; </div>
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1Sa 8:1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. </div>
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1Sa 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. </div>
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1Sa 8:3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. </div>
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1Sa 8:4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, </div>
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1Sa 8:5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. </div>
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1Sa 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. </div>
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1Sa 8:8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. </div>
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1Sa 8:9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. </div>
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1Sa 8:10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. </div>
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1Sa 8:11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. </div>
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1Sa 8:12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. </div>
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1Sa 8:13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. </div>
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1Sa 8:14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. </div>
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1Sa 8:15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. </div>
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1Sa 8:16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. </div>
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1Sa 8:17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. </div>
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1Sa 8:18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. </div>
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1Sa 8:19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; </div>
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1Sa 8:20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. </div>
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1Sa 8:21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 8:22 And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city. </div>
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1 Samuel 9; </div>
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1Sa 9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. </div>
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1Sa 9:2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. </div>
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1Sa 9:3 And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses. </div>
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1Sa 9:4 And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. </div>
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1Sa 9:5 And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us. </div>
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1Sa 9:6 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. </div>
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1Sa 9:7 Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? </div>
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1Sa 9:8 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. </div>
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1Sa 9:9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) </div>
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1Sa 9:10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was. </div>
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1Sa 9:11 And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here? </div>
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1Sa 9:12 And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: </div>
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1Sa 9:13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him. </div>
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1Sa 9:14 And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place. </div>
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1Sa 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying, </div>
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1Sa 9:16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. </div>
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1Sa 9:17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people. </div>
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1Sa 9:18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is. </div>
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1Sa 9:19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart. </div>
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1Sa 9:20 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? </div>
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1Sa 9:21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? </div>
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1Sa 9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons. </div>
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1Sa 9:23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee. </div>
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1Sa 9:24 And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. </div>
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1Sa 9:25 And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house. </div>
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1Sa 9:26 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. </div>
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1Sa 9:27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God. </div>
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Mark 4:21-41</div>
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Mar 4:21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? </div>
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Mar 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. </div>
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Mar 4:23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. </div>
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Mar 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. </div>
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Mar 4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. </div>
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Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; </div>
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Mar 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. </div>
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Mar 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. </div>
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Mar 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. </div>
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Mar 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? </div>
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Mar 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: </div>
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Mar 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. </div>
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Mar 4:33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. </div>
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Mar 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. </div>
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Mar 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. </div>
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Mar 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. </div>
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Mar 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. </div>
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Mar 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? </div>
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Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. </div>
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Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? </div>
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Mar 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-23874405170734827382015-05-05T10:13:00.001+01:002015-05-09T15:15:40.741+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (TUESDAY 5 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tuesday May 5</div>
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TRANSFORMED BY THE NEW CREATION</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.</div>
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1 Corinthians 6:11</div>
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Read: Luke 8:1-3</div>
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1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, </div>
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2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, </div>
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3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. </div>
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Message</div>
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One of the most profound wonders you will find anywhere in the world is the wonder of a transformed life. When a person who was demon-possessed suddenly becomes a vessel unto honour, what wonder can be greater than this? Such a person remains a wonder throughout his or her lifetime. This was the testimony of Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2). It is wonderful for a demoniac to become a financial backer of God's Kingdom. Another example of a transformed life that became a wonder is the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well (John 4:28-30). From being a promiscuous person, she became a lady evangelist. The Bible in John 4:39 says this about her impact:</div>
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"And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did."</div>
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Apostle Paul in today's memory verse, after listing the evil characteristics of the old creation, testified to the transforming wonder of the new creation experience as seen in some members of the Church at Corinth. After I received the grace of God for the salvation of my soul, and I became a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, a woman came to the church with her child who had a problem that only a miracle could solve. She requested to see the pastor and to her surprise, it was her ex-boyfriend! On discovering that I was the pastor who would pray for the healing of her child, she said, "You? It cannot be!" However, I told her that what she was seeing was nothing but the transforming wonder of the new creation. I told her of how God saved me, and that the same God could save her also. She believed me, I prayed a simple prayer of faith, and the child got healed. This is the transforming wonder of the new creation. Have you experienced this wonder? If not, today is the day of salvation for you. The Bible in 2 Corinthians 6:2 says:</div>
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"(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.)"</div>
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Let today be the day you experience the transforming wonder of the new creation, and all things, including your worn-out hope, will be renewed.</div>
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Action Point:</div>
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Take a bold step of faith by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour indeed, and you will experience the transforming wonders of the new creation.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 5-7 & Mark 3:31-4:20... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 5-7; </div>
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1Sa 5:1 And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod. </div>
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1Sa 5:2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. </div>
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1Sa 5:3 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. </div>
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1Sa 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. </div>
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1Sa 5:5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day. </div>
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1Sa 5:6 But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof. </div>
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1Sa 5:7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god. </div>
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1Sa 5:8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither. </div>
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1Sa 5:9 And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts. </div>
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1Sa 5:10 Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people. </div>
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1Sa 5:11 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. </div>
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1Sa 5:12 And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven. </div>
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1 Samuel 6 </div>
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1Sa 6:1 And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months. </div>
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1Sa 6:2 And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place. </div>
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1Sa 6:3 And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you. </div>
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1Sa 6:4 Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords. </div>
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1Sa 6:5 Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land. </div>
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1Sa 6:6 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed? </div>
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1Sa 6:7 Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them: </div>
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1Sa 6:8 And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go. </div>
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1Sa 6:9 And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us. </div>
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1Sa 6:10 And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home: </div>
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1Sa 6:11 And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods. </div>
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1Sa 6:12 And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh. </div>
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1Sa 6:13 And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it. </div>
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1Sa 6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 6:15 And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 6:16 And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day. </div>
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1Sa 6:17 And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one; </div>
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1Sa 6:18 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite. </div>
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1Sa 6:19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter. </div>
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1Sa 6:20 And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us? </div>
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1Sa 6:21 And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you. </div>
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1 Samuel 7; </div>
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1Sa 7:1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 7:2 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 7:3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. </div>
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1Sa 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. </div>
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1Sa 7:5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. </div>
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1Sa 7:7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. </div>
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1Sa 7:8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. </div>
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1Sa 7:9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. </div>
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1Sa 7:10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. </div>
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1Sa 7:11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. </div>
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1Sa 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. </div>
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1Sa 7:13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. </div>
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1Sa 7:14 And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. </div>
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1Sa 7:15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. </div>
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1Sa 7:16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. </div>
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1Sa 7:17 And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD. </div>
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Mark 3:31-4:20</div>
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Mar 3:31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. </div>
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Mar 3:32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. </div>
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Mar 3:33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? </div>
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Mar 3:34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! </div>
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Mar 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. </div>
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Mark 4:20</div>
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Mar 4:1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. </div>
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Mar 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, </div>
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Mar 4:3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: </div>
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Mar 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. </div>
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Mar 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: </div>
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Mar 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. </div>
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Mar 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. </div>
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Mar 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. </div>
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Mar 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. </div>
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Mar 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. </div>
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Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: </div>
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Mar 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. </div>
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Mar 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? </div>
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Mar 4:14 The sower soweth the word. </div>
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Mar 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. </div>
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Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; </div>
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Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. </div>
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Mar 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, </div>
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Mar 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. </div>
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Mar 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2646595106248209895.post-4206207420912962812015-05-04T06:23:00.004+01:002015-05-09T15:33:24.648+01:00OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL (MONDAY 4 MAY 2015)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye</div>
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Monday May 4</div>
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THE MIND OF JESUS</div>
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Memorise:</div>
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Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:</div>
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Philippians 2:5</div>
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Read: Matthew 11:28-30</div>
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28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. </div>
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29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. </div>
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30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. </div>
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Message</div>
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The Lord Jesus Christ invites us into His rest in today's Bible text. However, before we can obtain His rest, we must have the same mind as His. To have the same mind as Jesus, we must learn of Him. Many would-be Christians fail to realise that what makes Christ unique is not His complexion or stature, but the life that He lived while on the earth - a sanctified life of love, compassion, holiness and perfect obedience to His Father. He said in John 17:19 that:</div>
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"And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."</div>
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This statement reveals His mind, and the guiding principle of His lifestyle. </div>
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Some people desire to know God without first knowing about Him. How can one have the mind of Jesus and get to know Him without first learning about Him? Jesus in John 7:17 says,</div>
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"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."</div>
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We are called to learn of Jesus Christ. We should allow Him to teach us through His human agents under the guidance of the Holy Ghost. This is why Bible Study services and Sunday School classes are very necessary. Daily study of God's word in devotionals like this will enhance your knowledge of Jesus Christ in order to know and have His mind. </div>
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What then is the mind of Christ? The mind of Christ is the mind of humility (Philippians 3:5-8). This is an all-encompassing Christian virtue that takes root from the very first day of your conversion. As a matter of fact, the acceptance of the gospel lays the foundation of humility, because you cannot accept that you are a sinner without a humble heart. The natural man tends to either rationalise his evil deeds or assume that sin is not so bad because "everyone else is doing it". However, when the Spirit of Christ comes upon an individual, He convicts him of his sins (John 16:8-11). This leads to repentance and sets the stage for the process that brings about the formation of the mind of Christ in that individual, even as he or she continues to learn of Christ. Learning of Christ entails imbibing His ideals, which many so-called brilliant theologians and churchmen think are no longer valid for the 21st century Church. My prayer for you is that any knowledge which will invalidate the ideals of Christ as contained in the Bible will not come your way in Jesus' Name. For you to find rest for your soul, you must have the mind of Jesus Christ.</div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, give me the same mind You gave to Your Son Jesus, and help me, in this evil and perverse generation, to live by the ideals He brought to this world.</div>
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Monday May 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
THE MIND OF JESUS</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Memorise:</div>
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Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:</div>
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Philippians 2:5</div>
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Bible in one year:</div>
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1 Samuel 2:27-4:22; Mark 3:1-30</div>
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<br /></div>
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Read:</div>
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Matthew 11:28-30</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Lord Jesus Christ invites us into His rest in today's Bible text. However, before we can obtain His rest, we must have the same mind as His. To have the same mind as Jesus, we must learn of Him. Many would-be Christians fail to realise that what makes Christ unique is not His complexion or stature, but the life that He lived while on the earth - a sanctified life of love, compassion, holiness and perfect obedience to His Father. He said in John 17:19 that:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This statement reveals His mind, and the guiding principle of His lifestyle. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some people desire to know God without first knowing about Him. How can one have the mind of Jesus and get to know Him without first learning about Him? Jesus in John 7:17 says,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are called to learn of Jesus Christ. We should allow Him to teach us through His human agents under the guidance of the Holy Ghost. This is why Bible Study services and Sunday School classes are very necessary. Daily study of God's word in devotionals like this will enhance your knowledge of Jesus Christ in order to know and have His mind. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What then is the mind of Christ? The mind of Christ is the mind of humility (Philippians 3:5-8). This is an all-encompassing Christian virtue that takes root from the very first day of your conversion. As a matter of fact, the acceptance of the gospel lays the foundation of humility, because you cannot accept that you are a sinner without a humble heart. The natural man tends to either rationalise his evil deeds or assume that sin is not so bad because "everyone else is doing it". However, when the Spirit of Christ comes upon an individual, He convicts him of his sins (John 16:8-11). This leads to repentance and sets the stage for the process that brings about the formation of the mind of Christ in that individual, even as he or she continues to learn of Christ. Learning of Christ entails imbibing His ideals, which many so-called brilliant theologians and churchmen think are no longer valid for the 21st century Church. My prayer for you is that any knowledge which will invalidate the ideals of Christ as contained in the Bible will not come your way in Jesus' Name. For you to find rest for your soul, you must have the mind of Jesus Christ.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Prayer Point:</div>
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Father, give me the same mind You gave to Your Son Jesus, and help me, in this evil and perverse generation, to live by the ideals He brought to this world.</div>
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Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 2:27-4:22 & Mark 3:1-30... Read after the cut:</div>
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1 Samuel 2:27-4:22; </div>
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1Sa 2:27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? </div>
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1Sa 2:28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? </div>
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1Sa 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? </div>
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1Sa 2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. </div>
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1Sa 2:31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house. </div>
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1Sa 2:32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever. </div>
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1Sa 2:33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age. </div>
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1Sa 2:34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them. </div>
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1Sa 2:35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever. </div>
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1Sa 2:36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread. </div>
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1 Samuel 3</div>
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1Sa 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. </div>
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1Sa 3:2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; </div>
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1Sa 3:3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; </div>
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1Sa 3:4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. </div>
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1Sa 3:5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. </div>
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1Sa 3:6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. </div>
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1Sa 3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. </div>
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1Sa 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. </div>
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1Sa 3:9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. </div>
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1Sa 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. </div>
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1Sa 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. </div>
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1Sa 3:12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. </div>
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1Sa 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. </div>
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1Sa 3:14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. </div>
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1Sa 3:15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. </div>
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1Sa 3:16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. </div>
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1Sa 3:17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. </div>
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1Sa 3:18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. </div>
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1Sa 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. </div>
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1Sa 3:20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. </div>
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1Sa 3:21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD. </div>
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1 Samuel 4:22;</div>
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1Sa 4:1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. </div>
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1Sa 4:2 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. </div>
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1Sa 4:3 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. </div>
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1Sa 4:4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. </div>
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1Sa 4:5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. </div>
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1Sa 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp. </div>
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1Sa 4:7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. </div>
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1Sa 4:8 Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. </div>
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1Sa 4:9 Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight. </div>
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1Sa 4:10 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. </div>
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1Sa 4:11 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain. </div>
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1Sa 4:12 And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head. </div>
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1Sa 4:13 And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out. </div>
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1Sa 4:14 And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli. </div>
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1Sa 4:15 Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. </div>
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1Sa 4:16 And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son? </div>
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1Sa 4:17 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. </div>
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1Sa 4:18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. </div>
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1Sa 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her. </div>
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1Sa 4:20 And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. </div>
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1Sa 4:21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. </div>
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1Sa 4:22 And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken. </div>
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Mark 3:1-30</div>
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Mar 3:1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. </div>
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Mar 3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. </div>
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Mar 3:3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. </div>
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Mar 3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. </div>
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Mar 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. </div>
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Mar 3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. </div>
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Mar 3:7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, </div>
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Mar 3:8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. </div>
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Mar 3:9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. </div>
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Mar 3:10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. </div>
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Mar 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. </div>
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Mar 3:12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known. </div>
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Mar 3:13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. </div>
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Mar 3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, </div>
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Mar 3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: </div>
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Mar 3:16 And Simon he surnamed Peter; </div>
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Mar 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: </div>
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Mar 3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, </div>
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Mar 3:19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house. </div>
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Mar 3:20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. </div>
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Mar 3:21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. </div>
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Mar 3:22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. </div>
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Mar 3:23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? </div>
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Mar 3:24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. </div>
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Mar 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. </div>
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Mar 3:26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. </div>
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Mar 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. </div>
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Mar 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: </div>
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Mar 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: </div>
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Mar 3:30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. </div>
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