The Factors that Unite Nigerians

There are four major things that keep Nigerians united irrespective of the differences we always complain about. I will only discuss three because the fourth one has always generated controversy. I don't always like how the young Nigerians invoke the spirits of failed nationalists in anger when the nation's future is being discussed. Among other things, these three factors are:

1) FOOTBALL MATCHES WHEN NIGERIA IS WINNING:
Whenever Nigeria is winning an international match, Nigerians are always united. However, when the result is unfavourable, the blames are laid on the ethnic nationalities instead of the players. For instance, in 1995 when Nigeria hosted African Youths' championship, Nigeria was three goal down to Guinea. In the Enyimba City, a particular northerner could not hide his frustration as he shouted: "This is Igbo-Yoruba football. I looked at him as he stormed out of the place we were watching this match. Eventually, Nigeria equalized and won that match. In Lagos, in a particular match that gave the Super Eagles ticket for the last nations cup, Ahmad Musa missed a chance to convert an easy goal. One Yoruba youth shouted:"Aboki." If he had his way, he would have pulled Musa out of the game. Eventually, Nigeria won that match and Musa contributed with his goal. Same boy became happier than all of us watching this game together. Do not forget easily how the Super Eagles were called Biafra national team when the crawled in the group stage of the last nations cup. When they eventually won it, everybody became happy. For that reason, if Nigerian unity must be upheld, we must be winning football matches and lifting trophies.

2) FIGHT AGAINST AMERICAN CULTURE OF HOMOSEXUALITY:
I have never seen another factor that makes Nigerian voice to be one as the fight against this American trade. Nigerians of different religions, cultures, geo-political regions have said same thing about the imposition of the same-sex marriage making waves across the globe. Nigerians have also recognize the fact that the victims are helpless and should helped and encouraged to have their freedom. Apart from Fani Kayode, no other Nigerian has criticized Jonathan over this issue. Even Mr Lai has not considered this area as a weak point of the embattled President. This shows that Nigerians are reasonable and can actually live in peace.

3) THE CRUDE OIL OF NIGER DELTA:
The crude oil has also played a big role to unite Nigerians. Although this unity has not really brought about the equity and fairness required for all stake holders to be happy. However, diversification of the economy will make this unity more practicable.

The fourth factor is still reserved. The reason is simple, while preparing a medicine with which to cure an eye disease, pepper is not required.

God bless Nigerians and Nigeria....

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - FRIDAY - 17/1/2014 - THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

MEMORISE

And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 13:52

READ

John 14:16-17

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

MESSAGE

Do you know that it is possible for a man to become the house of God? 1 Corinthians 6:19 says:

“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?”

You can be the temple where the Holy Spirit lives. Your home can also become the house of God, if for instance, you have a house fellowship centre in your house. From time to time, we find Paul writing to someone and telling the person to greet the Church in his house. If there is a Church in your house, you can be sure that the Almighty God will be there. Wherever God is, there will be light there. Where light is, darkness cannot stay. Whenever God comes to visit, He does not come empty handed. When He is dwelling in your heart, you can be sure that He will not come empty handed. As a matter of fact, in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, the Bible lists for us at least 9 gifts that the Holy Spirit will bring along when He comes to dwell in us. These gifts can be classified into three groups: The Revelation gifts, The Inspiration gifts and The Power gifts. When you have these gifts available to you at any moment, you will find out that it becomes easy for you to win souls. In Acts 2:41, Peter preached one sermon and he won 3,000 souls. I am sure there are many Christians who will be extremely happy if in one year they are able to win 3,000 converts. By the time Peter preached his second sermon in Acts 4:4, 5,000 souls were saved.

Once the Holy Ghost begins to dwell in you, you have the potential that everyone you touch will receive a healing, as it happened in Acts 3:1-8. If the Holy Spirit is dwelling in you, the heat coming out of you will be anointed like it was with Paul in Acts 19:11-12. With this kind of power, you will be able to tear into pieces every spiritual lion, witch and wizard that wants to attack you or your loved ones as was the case with Samson in Judges 14:5-6. In the case of David, it was the anointing of the Holy Spirit that made it possible for him to kill two wild animals - a lion and a bear, with bare hands (1 Samuel 17:34-36). When you are full of the Holy Spirit, it becomes easy for you to live a holy life. You will just discover that holiness is as easy as breathing. The Holy Spirit will then begin to produce His fruit in you. When you are full of the Holy Spirit, people will begin to discover certain new things happening in your life, patterned after Galatians 5:22-23:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

I pray that you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Receive this baptism now in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, I am ready, please cleanse me and fill me with your Holy Spirit NOW in Jesus’ Name.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - WEDNESDAY - 8/1/2014 - PROVOKING SIGNS & WONDERS I BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

PROVOKING SIGNS & WONDERS I

MEMORISE
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
John 11:40

READ
Matthew 8:8-10

Matthew 8:8  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.

Matthew 8:9 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.

Matthew 8: 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.

MESSAGE
You must follow some spiritual principles if you want signs and wonders to become daily occurrences in your life. God is so generous to all that He has made it easy for all men to provoke His signs and wonders. Every record of signs and wonders in the Bible and in modern times can be traced to certain factors which were responsible for their occurrence. One of such factors is prayer. Prayers come in different forms. The prayer of the centurion is the model I want us to consider as a typical prayer that provokes signs and wonders. If there is an example of a prayer that was answered instantly with commendation, it is the prayer of the centurion. The prayer of this man made the wonder-working Saviour to marvel! This prayer manifests something I must draw your attention to: it was a prayer of humility. The man said: “I am not worthy”. When you listen to some people praying to God, you begin to wonder whether they are talking to their houseboy or maid. With every sense of arrogance, they begin to issue commands after listing the reasons for which they believe God must answer them! May your prayer-life receive a fresh sense of humility, coupled with an assurance that will provoke signs and wonders in Jesus’ Name.

Another spiritual principle that provokes signs and wonders is the principle of praise and worship. When I see some people who think they are too good to worship the King of kings I begin to wonder what they think themselves to be. Do you know that even if God wanted to say no to your request and you worship Him, the ‘no’ can become ‘yes’? The Syro-phenician woman in Matthew 15:21-28 came to Jesus and said: “Have mercy on me; my daughter is grievously vexed of the devil”. Jesus didn’t answer her a word. This woman persisted in asking, yet Jesus seemed not to pay attention to her. He even said He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The Bible says the woman came and worshipped Him saying: “I know I don’t qualify for a miracle but look at me, I am on my knees”. At the end of the day, she got her miracle. So when you hear me eulogising God with names such as: Rock of ages, Ancient of days, the Lion of the tribe of Judah etc, I know what I am doing. I am provoking signs and wonders. How many people get up in the morning and say: “Thank you Lord” on a daily basis? When you do so, you are provoking signs and wonders that will greet the day you are going into. As from today, learn how to use the weapons of prayer, praise and worship to provoke the needed signs and wonders in your life.

ACTION POINT
Before you begin to bombard God with your requests, thank Him, worship Him and praise Him for all His benefits you have received in the past.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY - 7/1/2014 - MIRACLE-PRODUCING EXPECTATIONS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

MIRACLE-PRODUCING EXPECTATIONS

MEMORISE
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

READ
Matthew 9:20-22

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:

21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

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.

MESSAGE
Having expectations depends on many variables, particularly if we are talking about having expectations of God. One of these variables is the promise. If God has made you a promise, then you have the right to expect that the promise will be fulfilled. In Genesis 8:22, the Almighty God made a promise. It is based on this promise that the expectation of a farmer rests. He said as long as the earth remains, seed time and harvest shall never cease. This promise of God is the basis on which a farmer planting a seed expects that there will be a harvest. Another variable which expectations depend upon is the integrity of the one giving the promise. If you are dealing with a man who doesn’t keep his promises, you don’t expect anything from him. If you are dealing with a man who in the past said “I am going to the right” and you discovered he went to the left, the next time he says “I am coming”, you will know he is going. Thank God that Numbers 23:19 says clearly that our God is not a man that He should lie. Once He makes a promise, you can go to bed knowing it will be fulfilled. The resources and ability of the one who has made a promise is another foundation upon which an expectation depends. There was a time I visited my village and a little boy ran to me asking for a pair of shoes for Christmas. I promised to buy him one. The young boy started spreading the news that he would soon own a brand new pair of shoes. His mates did not believe him until he told them that it was “Lagos Daddy” (as I was being called then) that promised him a pair of shoes. The reason being that, apart from the fact that they all knew that whatever “Daddy from Lagos” promised to do he would do; they also knew that God had blessed him with the wherewithal to keep his promises.

In our Bible reading for today, the woman with the issue of blood had a miracle-producing expectation. This woman sought Jesus Christ with great expectation and she got what she wanted – a miracle of healing. It is unfortunate that many people go to the presence of God without an iota of expectation, whereas the Bible in Isaiah 45:19a says:

“I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain:”

I want to encourage you to begin to seek and trust the miracle-working God with great expectations for salvation, healing and astonishing breakthrough. I prophesy to your life that the mouth-opening miracle you have been expecting will come your way this season in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, my expectation is to have blessings that will overflow unto many nations; please bring this to fulfilment in the Name of Jesus.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY - 7/1/2014 - MIRACLE-PRODUCING EXPECTATIONS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

MIRACLE-PRODUCING EXPECTATIONS

MEMORISE
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

READ
Matthew 9:20-22

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:

21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

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.

MESSAGE
Having expectations depends on many variables, particularly if we are talking about having expectations of God. One of these variables is the promise. If God has made you a promise, then you have the right to expect that the promise will be fulfilled. In Genesis 8:22, the Almighty God made a promise. It is based on this promise that the expectation of a farmer rests. He said as long as the earth remains, seed time and harvest shall never cease. This promise of God is the basis on which a farmer planting a seed expects that there will be a harvest. Another variable which expectations depend upon is the integrity of the one giving the promise. If you are dealing with a man who doesn’t keep his promises, you don’t expect anything from him. If you are dealing with a man who in the past said “I am going to the right” and you discovered he went to the left, the next time he says “I am coming”, you will know he is going. Thank God that Numbers 23:19 says clearly that our God is not a man that He should lie. Once He makes a promise, you can go to bed knowing it will be fulfilled. The resources and ability of the one who has made a promise is another foundation upon which an expectation depends. There was a time I visited my village and a little boy ran to me asking for a pair of shoes for Christmas. I promised to buy him one. The young boy started spreading the news that he would soon own a brand new pair of shoes. His mates did not believe him until he told them that it was “Lagos Daddy” (as I was being called then) that promised him a pair of shoes. The reason being that, apart from the fact that they all knew that whatever “Daddy from Lagos” promised to do he would do; they also knew that God had blessed him with the wherewithal to keep his promises.

In our Bible reading for today, the woman with the issue of blood had a miracle-producing expectation. This woman sought Jesus Christ with great expectation and she got what she wanted – a miracle of healing. It is unfortunate that many people go to the presence of God without an iota of expectation, whereas the Bible in Isaiah 45:19a says:

“I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain:”

I want to encourage you to begin to seek and trust the miracle-working God with great expectations for salvation, healing and astonishing breakthrough. I prophesy to your life that the mouth-opening miracle you have been expecting will come your way this season in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, my expectation is to have blessings that will overflow unto many nations; please bring this to fulfilment in the Name of Jesus.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY - 7/1/2014 - MIRACLE-PRODUCING EXPECTATIONS BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

MIRACLE-PRODUCING EXPECTATIONS

MEMORISE
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

READ
Matthew 9:20-22

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:

21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

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.

MESSAGE
Having expectations depends on many variables, particularly if we are talking about having expectations of God. One of these variables is the promise. If God has made you a promise, then you have the right to expect that the promise will be fulfilled. In Genesis 8:22, the Almighty God made a promise. It is based on this promise that the expectation of a farmer rests. He said as long as the earth remains, seed time and harvest shall never cease. This promise of God is the basis on which a farmer planting a seed expects that there will be a harvest. Another variable which expectations depend upon is the integrity of the one giving the promise. If you are dealing with a man who doesn’t keep his promises, you don’t expect anything from him. If you are dealing with a man who in the past said “I am going to the right” and you discovered he went to the left, the next time he says “I am coming”, you will know he is going. Thank God that Numbers 23:19 says clearly that our God is not a man that He should lie. Once He makes a promise, you can go to bed knowing it will be fulfilled. The resources and ability of the one who has made a promise is another foundation upon which an expectation depends. There was a time I visited my village and a little boy ran to me asking for a pair of shoes for Christmas. I promised to buy him one. The young boy started spreading the news that he would soon own a brand new pair of shoes. His mates did not believe him until he told them that it was “Lagos Daddy” (as I was being called then) that promised him a pair of shoes. The reason being that, apart from the fact that they all knew that whatever “Daddy from Lagos” promised to do he would do; they also knew that God had blessed him with the wherewithal to keep his promises.

In our Bible reading for today, the woman with the issue of blood had a miracle-producing expectation. This woman sought Jesus Christ with great expectation and she got what she wanted – a miracle of healing. It is unfortunate that many people go to the presence of God without an iota of expectation, whereas the Bible in Isaiah 45:19a says:

“I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain:”

I want to encourage you to begin to seek and trust the miracle-working God with great expectations for salvation, healing and astonishing breakthrough. I prophesy to your life that the mouth-opening miracle you have been expecting will come your way this season in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, my expectation is to have blessings that will overflow unto many nations; please bring this to fulfilment in the Name of Jesus.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - MONDAY - 6/1/2014 - SIGNS & WONDERS III BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

SIGNS & WONDERS III

MEMORISE
They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
John 6:30

READ
Exodus 4:9

Exodus 4:9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.

MESSAGE
We vividly saw from yesterday’s study that people required a sign from Jesus to prove He is the Messiah. If people required that Jesus should prove that He is the Messiah through a sign, it is then expected that people would expect anyone who claims to be a minister of God to confirm his or her calling with signs and wonders. As a servant of God, the ministry God has called you to is designed for signs and wonders. Your ministry is your area of service to the Lord. It may be singing, teaching, evangelising, counselling, or just any definite area of service for which you have received special grace and anointing. For you to function effectively in your area of calling, you need signs and wonders to follow you. This will attest to the fact that God actually sent you and that you are not an impostor. Some people desire academic, theological or ministerial titles; there is nothing wrong with titles if God gives you the grace to acquire them legitimately to His glory. However, in the service of God, titles without signs and wonders backing them up are inappropriate. Show me your works and not your titles. You need signs and wonder-working anointing to make it in your business life and to establish your calling among the people.

There was a time we used to have a Bible study meeting in a living room at the University of Ibadan (Nigeria). We were quite few in number then. Later on, we moved to the rear of the building for the meeting. There was an occasion where it began to rain when we were about to start the Bible study. Surprisingly, the rain fell on every part of the campus but did not drop at the building where we were gathered for the meeting. Another time, I was in Abuja (Nigeria) for the Abuja Holy Ghost Service. Then I went to visit the Christian Ecumenical Centre under construction. When I got there, the white man handling the project said to me: “Sir, I was told you are connected with the Man at the top”. I thought he was talking about Mr. President, and so, I asked him: “You mean the President?” He said “No, I mean the Man at the top”. Then I knew he was talking about God. I said “O yes, by His special grace.” He then asked me to talk to God that there would be no rain during the day so that he could complete the job before Sunday. I told him there would be no rain during the day”. After I said that, I remembered we were to have the Abuja Holy Ghost Service on Friday! On Friday, the cloud of rain covered everywhere in Abuja and soon, it began to rain everywhere except the stadium where the programme was held. As you read this devotional, your life shall be filled with signs and wonders in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT
Father, for all those asking where my God is, show yourself mighty in my life for them to see.

BIBLE IN ONE  YEAR

1 Corinthians 5-7; Psalm 9:1-10
              

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