Port Harcourt Chronicles!

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTION... DATE : WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2016 THEME : MERCY OR JUDGMENT? Memorise: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalms 32:1 Read: John 8:10-11 (KJV) 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. MESSAGE The story of the woman caught in the act of adultery is typical of the mercy of God and it was in direct contradiction with the judgement of the old era which did not give remedy to the spiritual problem of the people. Psalms 130:3-4 says: “If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” This passage is a pointer to the fact that mercy is the preferred alternative to judgment. No matter how perfect you may think you are, ...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29 2016. THEME : FEARLESS MESSENGER. MEMORISE : Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee saith the Lord. JEREMIAH 1 : 8. READ : JEREMIAH 1 : 4 - 10 : 4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 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. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy,...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL... DATE : MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2016 THEME : A FAITHFUL STEWARD? Memorise: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1st Corinthians 4:2 Read: Luke 16:1-8 (KJV) 1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. 3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. 4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. 5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? 6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and s...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL... DATE: FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2016 THEME: GOD'S KIND OF LOVE Memorise: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 Read: John 15:7-13 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. MESSAGE God is love; He dwells in love; He acts in love; He judges ...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.. DATE : WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2016 THEME : DEALING WITH ANCESTRAL CURSES II Memorise:  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:14 Read: Colossians 2:14 (KJV) 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Message  Ancestral curses are said to be in operation when a terrible problem persistently runs through generations with a family. For example, an uncontrollable anger or promiscuity may be noticed in a teenager and on investigation; such is traced to the parents and grandparents.  Many people today live under bondage as a result of their forefathers’ sins. Exodus 34:7 says: “….visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” However, the mome...

Open Heavens 22 November 2016: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Dealing with Ancestral Curses I Topic: Dealing with Ancestral Curses I [Tuesday 22, November 2016] Memorise: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: – Galatians 3:13 Read: Colossians 2:14-18 (KJV) 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.. DATE : FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2016 THEME : ENSLAVED BY FALSEHOOD? Memorise: Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:22 Read: Genesis 3:1-6 (KJV) 1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make o...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL... DATE : THURSDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2016 THEME : MATRIMONIAL ROBBER? Memorise: And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? Proverbs 5:20 Read: Malachi 2:14-16 (KJV) 14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. Message There are some people who never knew what sickness, failure, poverty or stagnation was until they ...

Open Heavens 2 November 2016: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Hater of God? Topic: Hater of God? [Wednesday 2, November 2016] Memorise: Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. – Jeremiah 17:5 Read: Romans 1:28-32 (KJV) 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them ...

Open Heavens 1 November 2016: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Grieve not the Holy Spirit Topic: Grieve not the Holy Spirit [Tuesday 1, November 2016] Memorise: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30 Read: Matthew 12:24-31 (KJV) 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.. DATE : MONDAY 31st OCTOBER 2016 THEME : BE COURAGEOUS Memorise: Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6 Read: 2nd Chronicles 32:7-8 (KJV) 7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. MESSAGE Courage is a virtue that is not optional for children of God who want to fulfil destiny. Without courage, we can’t even say we are images of Living God. This is why God Almighty always emphasizes the need to be courageous in the lives of those who He wants to use for special assignments. In the memory verse for today, Mos...

Open Heavens 30 October 2016: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Godly Sorrow Topic: Godly Sorrow [Sunday 30, October 2016] Memorise: Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. – Matthew 5:4 Read: 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (KJV) 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Bible in One Year: Zechariah 11-14, Psalms 90:1-6 MESSAGE: There are different categories of sorrow; the ungodly sorrow and the godly sorrow. Ungodly sorrow leads to deadly actions that drag its victims to either temporal or eternal perdition. The Bible says that Cain was sorrowful because his offering was not acceptable by God. That type of sorrow was ungodly because it pushed him to commit a great sin against God...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. DATE: SATURDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2016 THEME: NOT REPROBATE Memorise:  But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 2 Corinthians 13:6 Read: 2 Corinthians 13:5-8 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 13:6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.  MESSAGE  To be a reprobate is very dangerous for the society and for the Christian faith in particular.  The reason is not far-fetched; a reprobate does immoral and unethical things without any sense of guilt or remorse because his or her conscience has been seared with a hot iron of defiance. In our memory verse for today, Apostle P...

GOD GETS ANGRY TOO – Friday October 28th 2016 Memorise: For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 30:5 Read: Psalms 30:1-5 (KJV) 1 I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. 3 O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Bible in one year: Zechariah 1:1-6-8, Psalms 86:15-37 MESSAGE A truth catches one’s attention in today’s Bible reading; God can be angry! If this wasn’t the case, the Bible wouldn’t have said; “For this anger endureth but a moment”. Jeremiah 25:6 further corrobor...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.. DATE: WEDNESDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2016 THEME: WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR?  Memorise:  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastical 12:13 Read: Luke 12:15-20 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: ...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. DATE: TUESDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2016 THEME: SPIRITUAL ADULTERY FORBIDDEN!  Memorise:  For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. Isaiah 54:5 Read: Hosea 2:2-5 2:2 Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts; 2:3 Lest I strip her Unclad, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst. 2:4 And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms. 2:5 For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.  MESSAGE  The relationship between God ...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL... DATE : SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER 2016 THEME :  I KNOW YOUR WORKS VII Memorise:  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36 Read: Revelation 3:14-19, (KJV) 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and Unclad: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy unclothedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou m...

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL... DATE : THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER 2016 THEME : I KNOW YOUR WORKS V Memorise:  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 Read: Revelation 3:1-6, (KJV) 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 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. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clo...