Triumphant Life Ministries International

09/01/2024

09/01/2024

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY JANUARY 9TH 2024

TOPIC: IT SHALL BE WELL 1

MEMORISE:
“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” - (Psalm 92:12)

READ: ISAIAH 3:10 (KJV)

10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

MESSAGE:

The old year has just passed with all its ups and downs. There is a tendency to think that things will remain the same or even become worse based on man's projections and forecasts. However, according to our Bible reading today, I speak into your life and declare that, "It shall be well with you!"

As assuring as this prophetic message from the Lord is, we must not lose sight of the truth embedded in our Bible reading: it is the righteous that will be singled out for wellness. Our memory verse for today affirms this as well. Beloved, I encourage you to live righteously in this new year if you want it to be well with you, your family, your business, your finances, and everything that concerns you.

One question you might, however, be asking yourself is, "How can one be righteous in this perverse generation when the Bible says in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God?" The answer to this question is very simple; the Bible tells us in (1 John 1:9) that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, will cleanse us from all sin. Isaiah 64:6 also says:

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

The above scriptures establish the truth that we cannot cleanse ourselves and become acceptable to God by our own efforts; only the righteousness of God, which is obtainable through Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, is acceptable to God (Philippians 3:3-9).

Truly, many forecasts have projected that the year may be challenging, but I assure you that those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under His shadow (Psalm 91:1), and they will be shielded from any evil that may be lurking ahead. The Bible, however, clearly says that God cannot behold iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). This implies that you must have the righteousness of God through Christ if you want to access the secret place of the Most High.

As you surrender your life to Jesus and walk in His righteousness all through this year and beyond, I decree once again that all shall be well with you.

KEY POINT:
Those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High will enjoy all-round well-ness for the rest of their lives.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: GENESIS 29-31

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 29 - WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER ATTENDETH MY WAY

1 When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well with my soul."

Refrain (may be sung after final stanza only):
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.

2 Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul. Refrain

3 My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! Refrain

4 O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul. Refrain

26/10/2022

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26TH 2022

THEME: SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS

MEMORISE: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4

READ: 2 Corinthians 6:14 -18

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

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.

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,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

MESSAGE

It is important to have friends who are also Children of God - people with whom you can discuss the Bible and things of God. You will spend two hours discussing the Bible with such persons and it would seem as if you have only been together for five minutes. They are friends with whom you discuss what God is currently teaching you in the scriptures, they do likewise and then you just keep going deeper into Scriptural teachings about different issues. This is what the Bible refers to as iron sharpening iron and friends sharpening each other"s countenance (Proverbs 27:17).

You need your spiritual countenance sharpened regularly and these conversations go a long way in doing that. In these kinds of conversations, you are not been preached to, so,it is a two-way thing. As you and your friend or friends study the Bible together, you begin to see more clearly some hitherto blurry areas of the Scriptures or even understand better some of the things happening in your life. In the process of doing this, your spiritual countenance and outlook are sharpened.

These conversation have a way of impacting you differently from the message being preached from the altar would. This is one of the great benefits of the House Fellowship system which we operate in The Redeemed Christian Church of God. There is no Pastor in the House Fellowship, just a leader to coordinate things; everyone is just to discuss the word of God from their own perspective.

If you don't have such people with whom you discuss Scriptures, you need to either change your friends or make new ones. If you are so busy that you don't have much time to spend with friends, at least have such conversation with your spouse. Even now, my wife and l still have such conversations. I remember not so long ago when we were discussing the great power that must have been in the meal Elijah ate in 1Kings 19:5-8 which gave him strength for 40 straight days. It was always very interesting when you can find someone who is more knowledgeable in Scriptures than you; you are likely to leave such a meeting really charged up.

REFLECTION

What do you discuss with your friends when you are together? Is it spiritual things or just carnal issues?

BIBILE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 16- Luke 1

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: DEEPER DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS

1 Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.

REFRAIN:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher ev'ry day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy word.

2 Deeper, deeper! blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.

3 Deeper, deeper! tho' it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.

4 Deeper, higher, ev'ry day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.

For prayers and counselling, one on one/family deliverance; Contact +237696117103. Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever! He still answers prayer.

21/10/2022

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL

DATE: FRIDAY OCTOBER 21ST 2022

THEME: THE WORD III

MEMORISE: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2

READ: Psalms 119:127

127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

MESSAGE

There is the tendency for Christians, especially ministers of God to put the gift of the Spirit before the word of God in their lives. They want people to see the signs because they believe that it authenticate them in their eyes, after all John 4:48 says:

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

Such people, therefore, work the gifts more than they preach the word. Any ministry where this is done will not stand the test of time. Everything you do or say must be based on the word of God and you must project it to everyone you meet. God referred to the people he has sent to you to lead as sheep (John 21:15-17) and they can only be led to grow with the word of God. 1 Peter 2:2 says:

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

In John 6:25-35, when the people were looking for Jesus because He had power to multiply food, He rebuked them, saying that they should have been looking for the Bread of life - the Word of God, instead. If a person forces a prophecy out when God is not speaking, just because people are expecting one, such a fellow will not last long in the Christian race.

Someone asked me to tell him his future. I asked if he was born again and he said "No". I then responded, "Your future will not be good because the word of God says that it shall be ill with the wicked" (Isaiah 3:11). He then asked, "What if l had said l was born again?" I said, "Then l would have told you that your future will be glorious because the word of God says, "Say ye to the righteous, it shall be well with him" (Isaiah 3:10). Everything must be based on the word of God.

It is the entrance of God's word, not the miracle or prophecies, that brings light to the souls that you are ministering to (Psalm 119:130). If you base your ministry on spiritual gifts rather than the word of God, it will not last. I have been in ministry for over 45 years now, I have seen many ministries rise and then fall, just because of this mistake.

ACTION POINT

Live by the word.

BIBILE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 6-7

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 10: JESUS MY LORD MY GOD MY ALL

1 Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,
hear me, blest Savior, when I call;
hear me, and from thy dwelling place
pour down the riches of thy grace.

Refrain:
Jesus, my Lord, I thee adore;
O make me love thee more and more.

2 Jesus, too late I thee have sought;
how can I love thee as I ought?
And how extol thy matchless fame,
the glorious beauty of thy name? [Refrain]

3 Jesus, what didst thou find in me
that thou hast dealt so lovingly?
How great the joy that thou hast brought,
so far exceeding hope or thought! [Refrain]

4 Jesus, of thee shall be my song;
to thee my heart and soul belong;
all that I have or am is thine,
and thou, blest Savior,

For prayers and counselling, one on one/family deliverance; Contact +237696117103. Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever! He still answers prayer.

16/10/2022

Amen

16/10/2022

Happy Sunday to you all.
Have a blessed week

16/10/2022

*Church Ethics:*

*1. Stop going to church with bathroom slippers, short knickers, and hair nets.* You will not just look unsightly, you will make the church look unsightly. It gives you a presentation before others.

*2. Always carry a Bible to church.* It is not about the Bible, it is you supporting your convictions and telling the world where you stand. You may not read from your Bible in church because of the one on the screen, but never leave it at home when you go to church. There are things God will want to tell you from the Bible that may not be on the one displayed on the screen.

*3. When you go to give testimony, please, use your allotted time.* keep to time, don't preach another sermon. Stop telling unnecessary stories, go straight to the point.

*4. Don't disobey the ushers.* Any seat they give to you, go there and sit down. Stop sizing ushers and insisting on a particular or favorite place to sit! The ushers are like the angels of the Lord that knows where you will actually be well positioned to get your blessing from the service. When you disrespect them, you disrespect the leader of the church.

*5. Offering time is not a time to ease yourself or meditate.* It is not a good thing to appear before God without an offering in your hands, except you don't have. Also ensure you give your children their offering before you send them to their classes so they won't be left out.

*6. When it is time for praise and worship, get up, rejoice and dance.* It is foolishness to assume you are bigger than God or you are doing God a favor by worshipping him. Don't make yourself look like a statute when others are shouting with joy and excitement when praising God. You can shout and dance in parties but when you come to church you will be forming. Who are you forming for?

*7. When the preacher is preaching, concentrate.* Stop re-preaching and rehearsing how you would have delivered the sermon better in your mind. Be excited at the entrance of the word of God. Receive the word with joy and make amends when necessary. If the message touches some areas you don't like, see it as God speaking to you, not that somebody went to tell pastor about you.

*8. After service, go home.* You can fellowship with the brethren before leaving, but Stop hanging around to gossip, after the grace, exchange pleasantries with people and go home!

*9. Stop Forming Cliques/Cartels And Gangs.* Exchange greetings with new faces. Stop making people feel neglected. Flow with everyone in the church, they are your brothers and sisters in Christ.

*10. If you drive to church, on your way home, go along with church members THAT YOU KNOW.* Don't just drive as if you will loose fuel by going home with them. It is wickedness and not a fruit of the spirit. Some people will even bring down their windscreen and exchange greetings with a brother trekking under the sun instead of them to pick them up! Repent!

When there is program in the church, go to church.
Don't say you will stream online, Jesus died for you at Calvary and not on a website!

Ensure you are in the church on time, don't be late.

*BEING IN CHURCH IS NOT FOR THE GOOD OF GOD NOR FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR PASTOR, BUT FOR YOUR OWN GOOD:THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE ATMOSPHERE IN CHURCH THAT YOU CAN'T GET ON MEDIA OR TV. HEB.10:25:PSALM 133.JOHN 15:5 & 5:30/ PSALM 125:3.

For prayers and counselling, one on one/family deliverance; Contact +237696117103. Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever! He still answers prayer.

16/10/2022

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SUNDAY OCTOBER 16TH 2022

THEME: FEAR GOD

MEMORISE: And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28:28

READ: Psalms 25:14
14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

MESSAGE

I have heard some funny theories concerning the fear of God. Some people believe that when the Bible says, "Fear God", it doesn't really mean you should fear Him, it actually means that you should reverence Him. I don't know which Bible they are reading, but my Bible says, "Fear God", period. Hebrews 12:29 says that He is a consuming fire. Who is not afraid of fire? Even a mad dog, when he sees fire, will run. The Bible says in proverbs 1:7 that:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7

The Bible verse above is saying that if there is any iota of wisdom in you at all, you will fear this God. Thus, if you see someone who doesn't fear God yet claims to be wise, he is only deceiving himself.

Now my question to you is: do you fear God? I want you to think about that question very well before you answer. Do you really fear Him? If you truly fear Him, you will not be disobeying His commandments.
‘Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD and depart from evil.’ Proverbs 3:7
The moment you dip your hands into sin. You are telling God that you don't fear Him, that you are wise in your own eyes. It may look as if God is powerless now because you committed sin and He did nothing, but l advise you to stop it because His wrath is coming for all sinners.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Romans 1:18

Don't be among fools who have chosen not to fear God. You want to be wise? You want God to share secrets with you? You want to avoid God's wrath? Fear Him and show this in your complete and prompt obedience to His word.

KEY POINT
If you have any iota of wisdom at all, you will fear God and stay away from sin henceforth.

BIBILE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 23-24

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 19: O WORSHIP THE KING ALL GLORIOUS ABOVE
1 O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

2 O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

3 Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

4 Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

5 O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!

For prayers and counselling, one on one/family deliverance; Contact +237696117103. Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever! He still answers prayer.

12/10/2022

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12TH 2022

THEME: FEAR NOT 1

MEMORISE: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

READ: Psalms 23:1 -6

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

MESSAGE

Fear not. Fear not because the devil is merely like a roaring lion. The only time he his able to bite is when he has instilled fear into a person with his roars. In other words, when you do not fear the devil as a child of God, he cannot harm you. 2 Timothy 1:7 says:

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind.

As a child of God, the assurance you have from God is that you are free from the spirit of fear. God has set you in a place that is above every contrary spirit because you are now in Christ Jesus. Imagine that you have a son who obeys you and loves to spend time with you; can any enemy whom you have power over, come to harass that son in your presence? It is not possible. God always keep His own children safe because He is a good Father. Thus when the devil brings crazy imaginations to put fear in your heart, let the knowledge of who you are in Christ give you boldness. The Bible says that you must cast down any imagination that tries to exact itself in your heart against the knowledge of God.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:5

Let your knowledge in God rise above every fearful imagination that the devil brings to you. Fear is just a tool of the devil to keep you in bo***ge, you just not allow it in your heart.

Romans 8:15 says:

For ye have not received the spirit of bo***ge again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Almighty God is your Daddy; you have absolutely no reason to fear because there is no one,stronger than He. I say to you today: so long as you are a child of God, no matter what the situation may be fear not.

PRAYER POINT

Father, I bring to captivity every spirit of fear in my life right now. I say that I am free from the bo***ge of fear because I know that You, oh Lord, are my shield.

BIBILE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 13-14

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW WE ARE

1 Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory,
If the Lord be for us, we can never fail;
Nothing ‘gainst his mighty pow’r can e’er prevail.

Refrain:
Conquerors are we, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood;
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood,
Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.

2 In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press,
Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;
Not to us, but unto him the praise shall be,
For salvation and for blood-bought victory. [Refrain]

3 Unto him that overcometh shall be giv’n
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from heav’n;
Over yonder he the victor’s palm shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear. [Refrain]

08/10/2022

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SATURDAY OCTOBER 8TH 2022

THEME: TREAT THE POOR RIGHT

MEMORISE: He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. Proverbs 14:31

READ: Psalms 10:1 -15

1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

MESSAGE

God is very passionate about poor people and He does not like them being oppressed at all. In fact, in our memory verse today, the Bible says that whoever oppress the poor is reproaching God Himself.

In Matthew 25:45, God put Himself in the shoes of the poor and said whatever you do to them, you have done to Him. God is passionate about the poor and if you treat them badly, He will punish you for it. In our Bible reading for today, verse two says that the wicked who persecutes the poor will be taken in his own devices, in other words, the same persecution that he is giving to the poor will be given to him also.

He hath said in his heart, l shall not be moved:for l shall never be in adversity.
Psalm 10:6

The above verse is the thought of those who oppress the poor. They think that because they are high up there now, they can never become like one of the poor people, but that is a big lie. There are stories upon stories of people who are very wealthy, but somehow found themselves without any possessions after some time. Many of such people were brought down from their high positions because they did not treat the poor around them well.

Another thing that God can do is to leave the rich fellow where he is and then lift up the poor to become so great that the former would be like servant. ISamuel 2:8 and Psalm 113:7-8 say the same thing: that God can take the poor out of the dust and set him to be amongst the princes of the land. This is what God did to the Potiphars. Mrs. Potiphar accused Joseph wrongly and because Joseph was too poor to get a lawyer to argue his case. Mr. Potiphar just threw him in prison without any trial. Before long, God raised Joseph up to be greater than the Potiphar in the same land.

Don't ever oppress those who don't have as much as you do, feeling that things will always be the way they are now. God is not sleeping, He is watching all that you are doing and says that, as long as you are oppressing the poor, you are reproaching Him. Don't call for God's wrath.

KEY POINT

If you keep oppression the poor, God may make you their servant tomorrow.

BIBILE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 1-4

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 16: O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

2 Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

4 A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

6 O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.

24/09/2022

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH 2022

THEME: YOU CAN'T COMMAND YOUR MASTER

MEMORISE: Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16

READ: Mark 3:23 -27
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?

24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.

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.

MESSAGE

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

That Bible passage above is not for everybody, it is for only those who live holy. Psalm 24:3-4 says:
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a, pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity; nor sworn deceitfully.

If you don't live holy, you cannot ascend to God not to talk of sitting with Him. Thus those who don't live holy cannot be seated with Christ and since Ephesians 1:20-21 says that Christ is seated above principalities and powers, they cannot command principalities and powers. In a crusade, when the person leading prayers is asking people to bind the devil and his agents, and the ones who are still living in sin are also binding, what the devil does is torment and oppress them even more. If you don’t believe me, ask the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:11-16). They were not children of God, and they were trying to command demons. The demons taught them a lesson that day. If you want to command demons, if you want the devil to leave you alone, then you must be holy.

1 John 3:8 says:
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Who your father is determines who you can command. If your father is the house help of a great man, you cannot command the great man's children because they are indirectly your bosses. Rather, the children will command you. However, if you break free from their hold and you become greater than they, then you can command them.

I am giving you an invitation today to join those of us who are seated with Jesus Christ, far above principalities and powers. For us, the devil and his agents are our servants, we command them as we wish, and they cannot oppress us.

REFLECTION
With your current lifestyle, can you command demons and have them obey?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Daniel 6-8

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER
1 All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

Refrain
I surrender all, I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

2 All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow;
Worldly pleasure all forsaken.
Take me, Jesus, take me now

Refrain

3 All to Jesus, I surrender Lord,
I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Your love and power
Let Your blessing fall on me

Refrain

4 All to Jesus I surrender
Now I feel the sacred flame
O the joy of full salvation
Glory, glory, to Your name

Refrain