OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 31ST MAY, 2014 TITLED: In View?

TOPIC: IN VIEW?

Memorise: Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:16

READ: Isaiah 49:14-16;         BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 17-19, Psalm 116

Message:
One of the most depressing experiences of life is being forgotten by friends, relatives, family members, and those you really count on. Somehow you hope that you mean enough to people around that they won’t just forget and abandon you when you need them the most. This is so important to the average person that some have joined social clubs and endure inconveniences to attend social functions and ceremonies as a means of building future credit with people in order to guarantee patronage whenever the need arises. The fear of being alone, forgotten, abandoned and separated from loved ones is so genuine and real that Jesus had to cry aloud with much agony when He suffered a similar fate on the cross of cavalry. The Bible in Matthew 27: 46 says,

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR FRIDAY 30TH MAY, 2014

TOPIC: POOR & PRECIOUS

Memorise: But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. Psalm 40:17
 
READ:Psalm 40:14-17;                  BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 15-16; Psalm 115

Message:

Social stratification based on financial status is more pronounced than any other type of stratification in modern society. The wealthy and the poor coexist in all nations of the world today. The rich are associated with wealth, power and fame, while the poor are associated with suffering, obscurity and lack. The rich has many friends, associates and family members. He is an independent fellow who can afford to pay his or her bills and also contribute to the development of the community. The poor on the other hand has few or no friends or associates. He can hardly pay his bills not to talk of contributing to the development of the community. However, it is heart-warming to note that God is personally interested in the cause of the poor. I hereby decree that God will put an end to every form of poverty in your life today in the Name of Jesus.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR THURSDAY 29TH MAY, 2014: The Wisdom Of God

TOPIC: THE WISDOM OF GOD

Memorise: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Romans 11:33

READ:1 Corinthians 1:20-25     BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 12:43-14:31; Psalm 114
Message:
Whenever God decides to reveal deep things about Himself to anyone, the human response is always that of unspeakable awesome surprise. Paul caught some revelations of God and exclaimed in Romans 11:33a that:

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”

This is the cry of someone who has seen beyond the physical realm; obviously God had shown him a little glimpse of the depth of His knowledge and wisdom. The Psalmist in Psalm 139:6 also experienced this and submitted in absolute wonder saying:

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR WEDNESDAY 28TH MAY, 2014: The Wisdom of Men

TOPIC: THE WISDOM OF MEN

Memorise: Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it. Deuteronomy 1:39

READ: Genesis 2: 15-17;       BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 10:21-12:42; Psalm 113  

Message:

In the beginning, God generously permitted man to eat from every herb bearing seed and from every tree bearing fruit. In Genesis 2:17 however, God commanded him to avoid eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The fruit of this tree has been variously interpreted to mean sexual awareness or moral experience among other views. Since sexual interaction between Adam and Eve was allowed (being the only way to multiply the human race in obedience to God’s commandment), moral experience is therefore the most plausible explanation of what this fruit represents. God clearly wanted Adam and Eve to maintain their state of innocence.

 By choosing to obey or disobey, they would come to know good and evil by experience. God set before them a choice, of which obedience would lead to wisdom and blessing, while disobedience would lead to rebellion and punishment. I pray that the Body of Christ will witness great increase in wisdom and blessing as a result of total obedience to God in Jesus’ Name.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TUESDAY 27TH MAY, 2014: The Supernatural Life

TOPIC: THE SUPERNATURAL LIFE

Memorise: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1

READ: 1 Corinthians 2:12-16       BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 9:1-10:20; Psalm 112

Message:
God created the world to be controlled physically by some natural laws and principles, and spiritually by supernatural laws and principles. He then made man in His own image as lord, king and master, to have dominion and rule over everything He created, both in the physical and spiritual dimensions. After Satan successfully deceived Eve, Adam and Eve sinned against God, and their sin attracted judgement from God. The major implication of the judgement pronounced upon them was spiritual death which is the loss of supernatural life. Hence, the dominion and authority of man became limited to the physical world which is controlled by natural laws and principles.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR MONDAY 26TH MAY, 2014: Be Fruitful

TOPIC: BE FRUITFUL

Memorise: And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:28
 
READ: Genesis 1: 27-28        BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 6:14-8:32; Psalm 110-111
 
Message: In Genesis 1:28, “Be fruitful” is presented both as a commandment and a blessing. The blessings that God bestowed on humanity in this passage can therefore be regarded as the source from which the human race has flourished. This passage also defines a very important principle of life: fruitfulness comes before multiplication. A person that is fruitful will automatically multiply and anyone that refuses to be fruitful will never multiply. This theme is repeated about seven times in the book of Genesis alone (9:1, 9:7, 17:20, 28:3, 35:11 & 48:4) to emphasise the significance of this divine principle. Now, since the Lord has spoken and His promises are yea and Amen, why then do we have people that are barren and unfruitful? The answer is in John 15:4-5, it says:

OPEN HEAVENS FOR SUNDAY 25TH MAY, 2014 - Lust: Enemy of Greatness

TOPIC - LUST: ENEMY OF GREATNESS

Memorise: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul       
                   prospereth. 3 John 1:2 
 
READ 1 John 2:15-17                     BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 4:1-6:13; Psalm 109:21-31

Message:
God’s desire for His children is greatness and good success. Greatness denotes being above in all areas. His desire is for all His children to prosper spiritually, mentally, materially, psychologically, financially and health-wise. You should however know that greatness has enemies. It is better not to acquire wealth than to be a formerly rich person. It is better not to win than to be an ex-champion. As Christians, we should be focused and not allow ourselves to be destroyed by the world. We are enjoined in 1 John 2:15 not to love the world.

The greatest enemy of greatness is lust. The most devastating of these lusts is the lust of the flesh. In Genesis 34:1-26, Shechem lost his life and the lives of all the men in his entire tribe to the lust of the flesh. He ravished Dinah and was destroyed by the sons of Jacob. Samson was a judge in Israel, gifted with supernatural physical strength. He however lost his strength, eyes and eventually, his life to the lust of the flesh. 

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 24TH MAY,2014: The Covenant of Total Recovery

TOPIC: THE COVENANT OF TOTAL RECOVERY

Memorise: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

READ: Genesis 17:1-7          BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 1-3; Psalm 109:1-20

Message: ‘Covenant’ literally denotes a contract. A contract is an agreement between two or more parties comprising of specific issues on which they have come to a consensus. At a later time, one of the parties involved may change his mind and that could dissolve the contract. A covenant with God is more than that. It is an eternal arrangement and is eternally binding (Genesis 17:7).

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR 23RD MAY, 2014: Love & Spiritual Gifts

TOPIC: LOVE & SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Memorise: Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 
1 Corinthians 14:1

READ: 1 Corinthians 12:1-2         BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 48-50; Psalm 108

Message:

Our God is the Almighty. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is also good and His mercy endures forever. One character of God that is transmissible through us is love. How do we show that we know God? It is by showing His love (1 John 4:8). Let us love one another. Let’s demonstrate the love of God to our brethren. Let’s show them that we care. The people we are to show love to includes those that are lovable and those that do not deserve our love. Do you love your critics? Do you love your persecutors? Do you love the unlovable? Love or charity has many beautiful attributes (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). Gifts are nothing without love. Love is kind and patient. Love bears long with the weak and needy. How kind are you? Do you demonstrate kindness in all you do? How patient are you? Some Christians are rash. They act before thinking. Such people cannot be said to demonstrate love. Love does not envy others. Jealousy is not in the dictionary of love. It is pathetic that many souls have been destroyed by jealousy. An envious soul does not see anything good in the achievements of others. Are you controlled by love or jealousy?

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR 22ND MAY, 2014 TITLED: Lending to the Lord

TOPIC: LENDING TO THE LORD

Memorise: He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17

READ: 1 Samuel 1:24-28      BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 46-47; Psalm 107:33-43

Message: Many activities in life have a boomerang effect. Sowing for example is an activity that boomerangs with harvest. When you sow bountifully on a fertile ground, all things being equal, your harvest will be in abundance. The Bible enjoins us to give, because our giving will bounce back to us in a greater dimension. Luke 6:38 says:
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR 21ST MAY, 2014 TITLED: Safety in Christian Counselling

TOPIC: SAFETY IN CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING

Memorise: Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
                   Proverbs 11:14

READ: Acts 27:30-37                BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 44-45; Psalm 107:23-32
Message:
Counselling is used to describe the process of giving advice or suggestions to another person in order to help solve their problems. It is a situation where an individual that has problems comes to a person called a counsellor for guidance on what to do. It is true that there are many approaches to counselling. There is for example, the patient-oriented approach to counselling. There is the behavioural or stimulus-response contiguity approach, and there is the humanistic approach which is postulated on the premise that man possesses the capability of moving from a state of maladjustment to a state of adjustment when a threat-free, acceptable and conducive psychological climate is established. However, the safest form of counselling is Christian counselling. This approach involves trusting the Trinity (the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost) as the sole solution to all problems.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY 20TH MAY, 2014: Time For Miracles

TOPIC: TIME FOR MIRACLES

Memorise: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2:4

READ: Mark 4:35-41         BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 42-43; Psalm 107:10-22
Message:

A miracle is an act or event which does not follow the known laws of nature. It simply means a higher law overruling a lower law. The law of the Spirit is higher than natural laws. A miracle involves the suspension of physical laws by divine intervention. It happens when God uses the spiritual law to set aside physical laws. In the first place, God is the one that ordained the natural and physical laws to govern the universe, he can choose to suspend them if He so wishes.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 19, 2014: Works of the Devil

TOPIC: WORKS OF THE DEVIL

Memorise: 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. 1 John 3:8

READ: Deuteronomy 18:9-14   BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 40-41; Psalm 107:1-9

Message:
Joy means deep pleasure or great gladness. It is the opposite of sorrow. It will be stating the obvious to say that everyone on earth wishes to be joyful. Although God’s plan and desire is for us to live in joy, there is an actor in this world working frantically against this. There are two principal actors on the stage of history. These are Jesus Christ and the devil. The devil began to play his part in human history from Genesis 3 until the other actor, Jesus Christ, came with the gospel to destroy his works. Christ was able to overcome the devil through compassion, love and humility. The objectives of Jesus Christ are: to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), to save whosoever believes in Him and to present God as all in all.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR SUNDAY 18TH MAY, 2014: God Hates Divorce

TOPIC: GOD HATES DIVORCE

Memorise: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Matthew 5:32

READ Malachi 2:13-16           BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 37:12-39:23; Psalm 106:32-48
Message:
The Church and the community at large are concerned with the stability of family life. Family instability contributes to human suffering, which can continue to the third and fourth generation. This is crucial because children need two actively involved parents who love them and each other, if they are to be emotionally prepared for future deep, personal relationships necessary for the making of a good marriage. Divorce represents a kind of bereavement because out of it comes severe damage and destruction of important personal relationships. Problems like deep mistrust of others, the fear of close relations and the fear of desertion are the result of divorce. Divorce is not an experience from which a sensitive person easily recovers. Its residual emotional scars may be life-long and may contribute to emotional warping in the next generation. God hates divorce. God’s ideal for marriage is that it be permanent. He stated this in Matthew 19:6 which says,

OPEN HEAVENS FOR SATURDAY 17TH MAY, 2014: ANOINTED VESSEL FOR DIVINE UTTERANCE

                                           TOPIC: ANOINTED VESSEL FOR DIVINE UTTERANCE
 
Memorise: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. Isaiah 61:1

READ: Jeremiah 1:6-10          BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 35:1-37:11; Psalm 106:13-3

Message:
The anointing of God has some similarities with electricity. It flows from God, through man, to men. One major purpose of the anointing as enunciated in Isaiah 10:27 is to destroy the yokes the devil has placed on men:
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”
 
One of the methods through which the anointing flows through a man is by divine utterance. God is the One that anoints or sets aside a man for divine utterances. I pray that you will be anointed for divine utterance in Jesus’ Name. A man is anointed by God to bring solution to the problems of his generation. Anointed vessels are set apart by God for leadership purposes. They are also set apart as watchmen to warn God’s people, like Ezekiel. To be an anointed vessel for divine utterance, you must be sensitive to the voice of God (1 Samuel 3:4) and obedient to both God and your human superiors like Joshua was to Moses. You must also be truthful, faithful and have unfeigned commitment to the work of God. An anointed vessel for divine utterance should be available, teachable, meek, patient, holy, bold, prayerful and should love God. You can be an anointed vessel for divine utterance today if you make up your mind to hear and to speak the voice of God, obey His voice and encourage others to do the same.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 16, 2014: Harzarding Lives For Missions

TOPIC: HAZARDING LIVES FOR MISSIONS

 Memorise: Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 15:26

READ: Matthew 28: 18-20;      BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 32:22-34:31; Psalm 106:1-12

Message:
Within the space of a few years after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the gospel about Him had reached Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and all the great cities in Europe, Africa and Asia. The gospel had made great inroads into the aristocracy and among intellectuals, and had already changed the lives of countless ordinary men and women. How did this happen? Evangelism was a priority among the first followers of Jesus. The Apostles and disciples of old obeyed the Great Commission; they were also missionaries who gave their all to missions.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 15, 2014: Conversion of The Purse

TOPIC: CONVERSION OF THE PURSE

READ: Philippians 4: 13-19       BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 31: 1-32: 21; Psalm 105: 15-45

Memorise:  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38

 Message:

One of the very urgent needs of the Great Commission is financial liberation. For the gospel to reach the ends of the earth, we need liberation from financial bondage. The Body of Christ is in need of freedom from growing debts, little or no savings, inadequate income, lack of financial plans for the future and divorces resulting from financial tension in the home. Some members of the Church are financially strong but in dire need of freedom from suffocating materialism. Definitely as the Body of Christ, we need wisdom to spend our resources in eternally rewarding ways. It is obvious that the church is in need of financial resources to accomplish its assignment; the question is: in what ways are you of help to the Body of Christ today?

The first step to financial freedom is vision. Proverbs 29:18 says,

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

OPEN HEAVENS FOR WEDNESDAY 14TH MAY, 2014: Soaring Beyond The Sky

 

TOPIC: SOARING BEYOND THE SKY

Memorise:  In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. Ecclesiastes 11:6

READ: Genesis 26:8-15                    BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 29-30; Psalm 105:1-15

Message:
You need peace of mind to succeed in life, business and ministry. To enjoy peace of mind, you need to overcome heartache, worry and anxiety. Forget past failures, disappointment and discouragement which can result in soul sickness. Soul sickness is the bane of life. Soul sickness is caused by lust, or as someone describes it, the natural love to do evil. It has been argued that the difference between love and lust is this: love can always wait to give while lust can never wait to get. Human beings have physiological or body needs. We crave food, water, sleep, general activity and sex. Soul sickness occurs when these needs are not met and we begin to lust after them, and as a result, abuse our body. Human beings also have psychological needs. These are our desire for love and acceptance, desire to feel important, special and useful. When these desires are not met, or when they are replaced by lust, one begins to have soul sickness. Soul sickness can be traced to unhealthy or wrong thoughts, unhealthy emotions (such as anger as a result of unattained goals), anxiety (resulting from pursuing foolish goals), and a sense of guilt which can be traced to unreached goals.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR MONDAY 12TH MAY, 2014 TITLED: Trusting in The Lord

TOPIC: TRUSTING IN THE LORD

Memorise: Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

READ: Proverbs 3: 5-8            BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 25-26; Psalm 104: 1-18

Message:

It is imperative to know that God has a plan for your life. This plan takes into consideration your personality, talents, needs, potential and environment (Ephesians 2:10). God has ordained certain specific tasks for each individual Christian (Hebrews 12:1). Paul knew this and was able to say “I have finished my course”, only after he had fulfilled his ministry and his work was completed (2 Timothy 4:7). I pray that you will fulfil your ministry and complete your task in Jesus’ Name. God’s plan for you is very personal. It is just for you. The plan is very detailed with everything worked out step by step (Psalm 37:23). God might not reveal the distant future, but His guidance will be continuous (Isaiah 58:11). God is always ready to reveal the next step to you but as usual you need to ask before you can receive (Psalm 143:8). One thing you can be sure of is that God’s will for you is always good and perfect (Jeremiah 29:11). You must also realise that you are incapable of planning your own life (Jeremiah 10:23). Only God knows the future and He is the only one capable of choosing our vocation, life partner and overall path.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR SUNDAY 11TH MAY, 2014 TITLED: Covetousness is Deadly

TOPIC: COVETOUSNESS IS DEADLY

Memorise: But godliness with contentment is great gain.

READ: 1Kings 21: 1-19 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 24;Psalm 103: 11-22
Message:

One of the commandments of God that must not be neglected is the injunction against covetousness (Exodus 20:17, Luke 12:15). Covetousness denotes having a strong desire for things that belong to other people. This act is condemned in the strongest possible terms in scriptures (Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5). Covetousness can take the form of having a strong desire for another man’s money, goods, properties, spouse, position or title. Covetousness is insidious. It spreads gradually without being noticed, eventually causing serious harm. It is very destructive. Covetousness is organic. It happens in a slow, natural way. It spreads and grows so fast that before a covetous person realises his state, the situation would have almost become irreversible. Covetousness is deadly. It is capable of destroying both the coveter and the person whose properties he or she desires. Covetousness is a spiritual disease, and a contagious one at that. A bosom friend of a covetous person may end up becoming covetous because “can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Many evils and crimes are traceable to covetousness, as seen in our Bible reading today.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR SATURDAY 10TH MAY, 2014: Conscience

TOPIC: CONSCIENCE

Memorise: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself   without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14
   
READ: Romans 1: 18-32   

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:Genesis 21-23; Psalm 103: 1-10 
 
Message:

Conscience is an internal judge examining all that you do or say. It cries out before any wrong-doing. It does not keep quiet during the act and keeps on talking even after the act. Every man has a conscience. This fact is pointed out in 2 Corinthians 4:2. The conscience can exist in different states. These states affect the character exhibited by the conscience. Based on this character, the conscience can manifest itself as any of these: evil conscience, convicted conscience, weak conscience, good conscience and conscience devoid of offence. Consequent upon the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, man’s conscience became darkened and defiled. 

OPEN HEAVENS FOR FRIDAY 9TH MAY, 2014: Maximizing Your Life

TOPIC: MAXIMIZING YOUR LIFE

Memorise: The life is more than meat, and the body is more than
                    raiment. Luke 12:23

READ: Luke 12: 16-23
         
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 18:22-20:18; Psalm 102:16-28
 
Message:

In the context of our current consideration, life is the state of existence as a human being. Life is sweet, but it is also sacred. Life is influential and life is divine. It is so important that it should be managed properly. Life should definitely be maximized. In our Bible reading for today, the rich fool mismanaged his life. He acquired wealth for himself without being rich towards God. To maximize your life means to make the best use of your life. You can maximize your potential and time. You can maximize opportunities available for you to become the person God intends you to be. You can maximize your life, and there are many reasons why you should do so. The fact that life is good is one reason why it should be maximized. If you make the best use of your life, you will enjoy it. You will experience prosperity, fame, peace of mind, good health, security and longevity. Life should be enjoyed and not endured. Another reason you should maximize your life is because life is sacred. It is connected with God and considered to be holy. When you make the most of your life, you will please God and obtain favour in His sight.

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR MAY 8, 2014: Labourer in His Vineyard

                                       TOPIC: LABOURER IN HIS VINEYARD

Memorise: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2

READ: 1 Timothy 3: 1-7                  BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 15:1-18: 21; Psalm 102: 1-15
 
Message:

Are you a Christian worker? If you are not, desire to be one. A Christian worker is a labourer in God’s vineyard. He could be a spiritual leader occupying any of the ministerial offices or an Usher, Chorister etc. In any case, a Christian worker is a steward. A steward can be described as a person employed to manage the property of another, especially a large house or land. Christian stewardship means accepting responsibility to manage all the resources of life for the glory of God, acknowledging God as the provider. As a manager, a Christian worker is a spiritual leader. As a spiritual leader, the work of a Christian worker is an enviable one, and God attaches great importance to it. It is notable and honourable but also tasking, demanding and sacrificial. Faithfulness in this service leads to greater and higher responsibility which attracts fabulous and eternal rewards. 1 Peter 5:4 says:

OPEN HEAVENS FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 7,2014 TITLED: Talking To Jesus

                    TOPIC: TALKING TO JESUS

Memorise: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto 
                   you.  Matthew 7:7

READ: Matthew 6: 5-13                          BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Gen: 11: 10-14: 24; Psalm 101


Message:

Prayer is talking to Jesus. There is nothing as sweet as talking to Jesus because the Most High loves to hear our voices. Prayer is the soul of man talking to God. It is worship addressed to God the Father, in the Name of God the Son, through the power of God the Holy Spirit. John 14:13 says:

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

OPEN HEAVENS FOR MONDAY MAY 5, 2014: Fishers of Men

TOPIC: FISHERS OF MEN
 
Memorise: And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19

READ: John 1: 40-42                     BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 4-7; Psalm 98

Message:

Soul-winning is a must. Few are called to be preachers or evangelists, but every child of God is called to be a fisher of men. Every committed Christian has the opportunity to witness and lead sinners to Christ. Fishing for a soul is a definite effort to lead a particular person to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In our Bible reading for today, Andrew brought Peter to Jesus Christ. This same Peter grew in his relationship with Jesus and became a great preacher and the leader of the Apostles. Soul-winning is mandatory. You should be involved. You may be the means by which a future world preacher would be brought to Christ. Why not start today?

OPEN HEAVENS FOR SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014 IS TITLED: Are You an End-Time Christian?

TOPIC: ARE YOU AN END-TIME CHRISTIAN?

Memorise: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 Timothy 3:1

READ: Luke 21: 32-36                        BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:        
                                                                Genesis 1-3; Psalm 97

Message

Our God is a God of plan and purpose. The creation of man had a beginning (Genesis 1:26-28) and the existence of man on earth will surely have an end. We should not be ignorant of the end-times. The end-time did not start in 1975 neither is it 1975 as some heretical teachers and so-called witnesses falsely teach. The end-time is also not an allegory used in scripture to describe when things are not going on well for an individual. The Bible presents the end-time as the period of time that ushers in the return of Jesus Christ. We should not be deceived; neither should we allow anyone to deceive us. Matthew 24:4 clearly warns us against this:

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”

OPEN HEAVENS FOR SATURDAY MAY 3, 2014 IS TITLED: Secrets of Church Growth

TOPIC: SECRETS OF CHURCH GROWTH

Memorise:Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church    
                  daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47

READ: Acts 4: 32-33 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 19: 11-22: 21

Message:
God is interested in the growth of His church, be it local, national or global; whatever the denominational label. Growth comes as a result of the mercy of God connected with the pastors and ministers developing the mind of Christ. Growth comes to those who allow themselves to be filled more and more with the love of God and who are not willing to let anybody perish. The church of Christ is not a place, a building or an organisation. The church is a living organism. God’s plan for His church is growth - biblical growth. God is not interested in fishing without catching (Luke 5:4-11), lost sheep that are not brought back into the fold (Matthew 18:11-14), a lost coin not sought for (Luke 15:8-10) or of ripe harvest not reaped (Matthew 9:36-38).

OPEN HEAVENS FOR MAY 2, 2014 TITLED: Anointed to Be an Intercessor

 

TOPIC: ANOINTED TO BE AN INTERCESSOR

Memorise: And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to 
                    faint. Luke 18:1

READ: 1 Timothy 2:1-2                                BIBLE IN A YEAR: Revelation 16:1-19:10; Psalm 95
Message:

Prayer is an ordinance of God. It should be noted that both Christians and non-Christians pray. The prayer that God will answer however is one from a sincere outpouring of the heart to God. It should be done through Christ and with the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit. Prayers should be for such things as God has promised according to His word. Prayers should be made for the good of mankind and the church, and should be made in faithful submission to the will of God. Prayer is a requirement which all children of God should give considerable attention to for their joy to be full (John 16:24).

OPEN HEAVENS FOR MAY 1, 2014 IS TITLED: How Prepared Are You?

TOPIC: HOW PREPARED ARE YOU?

READ: Matthew 25: 1-2                  BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 12-15; Psalm 94
Message:

Wisdom has been described as the right application of knowledge. This is reflected in a person’s active and constant preparation for success. A wise man prays when others play, fasts when others feast and plans when others loaf around doing nothing. There is no gainsaying the fact that spiritual and physical success depends on active and constant preparation. One who fails to plan has already planned to fail. How prepared are you?