Open Heavens Devotional August 20 2020 – THE SPIRITUAL REALM.

MEMORY VERSE:

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of devices” 2 Corinthians 2:11

BIBLE READING: Acts 28:1-6

1•And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

2 •And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

3 •And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4•And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

5 •And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 •Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

A. Many people, because of their high level of secular knowledge, enlightenment and exposure, believe they have answers to everything in life and may thus not believe in the reality of the spiritual realm.

1• They believe there is no hell, no heaven, therefore no God; all things – sickness, accidents, death, infant mortality, business failure, natural disaster, physical disability, barrenness, murder, violent crime and so on, can be explained scientifically.

2• However, we are often confronted with situations that defy any human understanding; cases that are beyond scientific explanation, where an attack in the dream becomes a reality upon awaking, or when a person’s health is suffering but all medical tests reveal nothing wrong. 3• The Bible in Ephesians 6:12 provides some insight into the root of the matter:

4• “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

B. Spiritual activities have become an integral part of this present world, since Satan was thrown out of Heaven unto the earth

1•. Revelation 12:12 “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

2• 1 Peter 5:8 says, “ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

3• The solution to the devil’s rampant attack on humanity is fond in 1 John 3:8,

4• “……For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

C. ALL POWER BELONGS TO JESÚS 1• Matthew 28:1-8 “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2• And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3• His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 4• And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

5• And go quickly, and tell His Disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

6• And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

D. AT HIS NAME, EVEN THE DEVIL TREMBLES

1• James 2:19

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

2• No matter the greatness of learning, research and technology, a very active spiritual realm exists.

3•. If you are born again, congratulations.

4• You have the backing of Jesus to upturn all activities of the enemy against your life and family.

5• However, if you are not yet born again, you are completely open to all the antics of the kingdom of darkness.

6• Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior today so you can destroy the works of the devil in your life and family.

Father, Please reveal the reality of the negative supernatural, and Your superiority over it, in The Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen !

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 41-45

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN: 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 pleasures all forsaken,

Take me, Jesus, take me now. Refrain:

3. All to Jesus I surrender,

Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;

Let me feel the Holy Spirit,

Truly know that Thou art mine. Refrain:

4. All to Jesus I surrender,

Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power,

Let Thy blessing fall on me. Refrain:

5. All to Jesus I surrender,

Now I feel the sacred flame;

Oh, the joy of full salvation!

Glory, glory, to His Name! Refrain:

EMMANUEL=GOD WITH US!