Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 30th December, 2015: YIELD TO GOD

YIELD TO GOD – Wednesday December 30th 2015

Memorise: Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:13

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 29th December, 2015: EFFECTIVE TRACKING DEVICE

EFFECTIVE TRACKING DEVICE – Tuesday December 29th 2015

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

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 28th December, 2015: THE EXCLUSIVE DOOR

THE EXCLUSIVE DOOR – Monday December 28th 2015

Memorise: I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9

DEBTORS OF GRATITUDE - Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 24th December, 2015

DEBTORS OF GRATITUDE – Thursday December 24th 2015

Memorise: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Psalm 103:2

WHOSE VOICE? - Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 22nd December, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

WHOSE VOICE? – Tuesday December 22nd 2015

Memorise: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

NOT ORDINARY HANDS - Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 21st December, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

NOT ORDINARY HANDS – Monday December 21st 2015

Memorise: I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1st Timothy 2:8

BEARING FALSE WITNESS II - Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 20th December, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BEARING FALSE WITNESS II – Sunday December 20th 2015

Memorise: A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Proverbs 19:9

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED - Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 19th December, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED – Saturday December 19th 2015

Memorise: So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and stote the Philistine, and stew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 1st Samuel 17:50

COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE - Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 15th December, 2015

COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE – Tuesday December 15th 2015

Memorise: Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season. Job 5:26

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 14th December, 2015: LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES

LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES – Monday December 14th 2015

Memorise: Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

BEARING FALSE WITNESS I - Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 12th December, 2015

BEARING FALSE WITNESS I – Sunday December 13th 2015

Memorise: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Exodus 20:16

LOVE IS SOMETIMES TESTED- Open Heavens Devotional for Today 12th December, 2015

LOVE IS SOMETIMES TESTED – Saturday December 12th 2015

Memorise: No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:18

DIVINE VISITATION - Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 11th December, 2015

DIVINE VISITATION – Friday December 11th 2015

Memorise: Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. Joshua 10:12

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 10th December, 2015: YE ARE MY WITNESSES

YE ARE MY WITNESSES – Thursday December 10th 2015

Memorise: Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. Isaiah 43:10

THE GOD OF PURPOSE - Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 2nd December, 2015

THE GOD OF PURPOSE – Wednesday December 2nd 2015

Memorise: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Ephesians 1:11

OVERCOMING BY PRAYER : Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday Decmber 1st, 2015

OVERCOMING BY PRAYER – Tuesday December 1st 2015

Memorise: And when he was at the place, he said unto them, pray that ye enter not into temptation. Luke 22:40

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday, November 29th, 2015: PERMANENT CONNECTION

PERMANENT CONNECTION – Sunday November 29th 2015

Memorise: And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. Hebrews 1:7

Read: Philippians 1:20-21
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Bible in one year: Psalm 45-50, Hebrews 4:8-5:10

MESSAGE
For God to us you as a minister for manifesting His signs and wonders to the world, you must be totally consecrated and committed. In addition, you must be permanently connected to Jesus. In Philippians 1:21, Paul declared that if he would be alive at all, the essence of his living must be Christ. Many of us are still living for ourselves, our families and for others. Until you get to that point of deciding to live for Christ like Paul did, you may not be chosen by God for the manifestation for His signs and wonders. If you take a piece of hot iron and you drop it into a bucket of cold water, what will happen to the water? It will heat up immediately, but as the water gets warm, the iron loses it heat. If you are connected to the Holy Spirit and you become red hot, but then you later jump into the cold water of the world, you will still be healing, delivering people and casting out demons initially, but at some point, because you are no longer connected with the fire of the Holy Spirit, you will begin to lose heat until you becomes as cold as the world.

Have you observed the life of Jesus Christ? Every time Jesus performed a major miracle, He would immediately set Himself apart from men unto God on a mountain, in order to recharge His battery. You need to be permanently connected to the Holy Spirit. When a water heater containing cold water is connected to a power source, the water will start boiling after some time. If the water heater is not disconnected, at some point, evaporation of the water will follow. If after evaporation has commenced, the water heater continues to receive power, a fire outbreak will likely happen. The illustrates that as long as you remain connected to the Holy Spirit and His fire continues to flow through you, at some point, you will manifest His very nature, especially in the dimension of being a consuming fire. No wonder Hebrew 1:7 says:

“And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

God want you to manifest His very nature. This is only possible when the link between you and the Holy Spirit is unbroken. How is that connection today? Do you once in a while dabble into sin? If you do, you break the connection and move away from manifesting as a flame of fire.

Action point: You cannot afford to lose your link with God. Consciously ensure you are permanently connected to Him.

SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 15, 2015

SEEK REVELATION - Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 28th November, 2015

SEEK REVELATION – Saturday November 28th 2015

Memorise: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ephesians 1:17

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 27th November, 2015: DO YOU RECOGNISE THESE VOICES

DO YOU RECOGNISE THESE VOICES – Friday November 27th 2015

Memorise: And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. John 10:4

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 26th November, 2015: THE GOOD SHEPHERD

THE GOOD SHEPHERD – Thursday November 26th 2015

Memorise: I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. John 10:14

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 25th November, 2015: REJECTING EVIL WRITINGS

REJECTING EVIL WRITINGS – Wednesday November 25th 2015

Memorise: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross - Colossians 2:14

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 24th November, 2015: FRAUD IN BUSINESS DEALINGS

FRAUD IN BUSINESS DEALINGS – Tuesday November 24th 2015

Memorise: Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Leviticus 19:11

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 22nd November, 2015: TOTAL COMMITMENT: A MUST

TOTAL COMMITMENT: A MUST – Sunday November 22nd 2015

Memorise: Simon Peter saith unto them, I go fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. John 21:3

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 21st November, 2015: ENTERING HIS PRESENCE

ENTERING HIS PRESENCE – Saturday November 21st 2015

Memorise: He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Psalm 24:4

Open Heavens Devotional for Today Friday, 20th November, 2015: HOW PROPHETIC ARE YOUR NAMES?

HOW PROPHETIC ARE YOUR NAMES? – Friday November 20th 2015

Memorise: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

Open Heavens for Tuesday 17th November, 2015: FRAUD IN RELATIONSHIP

FRAUD IN RELATIONSHIP – Tuesday November 17th 2015

Memorise: Thou art snared with the words of thy month, thou are taken with the words of thy mouth. Proverbs 6:2

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 15th November, 2015: AM I FOREVER SAVED?

AM I FOREVER SAVED? – Sunday November 15th 2015

Memorise: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 9th November, 2015: WHY HE WAS GIVEN

WHY HE WAS GIVEN – Monday November 9th 2015

Memorise: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 8th November, 2015: BEFORE THE MANIFESTATION OF SIGNS

BEFORE THE MANIFESTATION OF SIGNS – Sunday November 8th 2015

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? Hebrew 2:4

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 7th November, 2015: TREADING ON SERPENTS

TREADING ON SERPENTS – Saturday November 7th 2015

Memorise: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 6th November, 2015: FINISHING THE RACE

FINISHING THE RACE – Friday November 6th 2015

Memorise: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2nd Timothy 4:7

Open Heavens devotional for Thursday 5th November, 2015: HELP FROM UNWILLING HELPERS

HELP FROM UNWILLING HELPERS – Thursday November 5th 2015

Memorise: Arises, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 1st Kings 17:9

FREED BY THE TRUTH : Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 4th November, 2015

FREED BY THE TRUTH – Wednesday November 4th 2015

Memorise: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 2nd November, 2015: IS YOUR LOVE FOR GOD PROVEN?

IS YOUR LOVE FOR GOD PROVEN? – Monday November 2nd 2015

Memorise: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1st John 4:8

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 1st November, 2015: CONNECTED TO THE SPIRIT?

CONNECTED TO THE SPIRIT? – Sunday November 1st 2015

Memorise: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:4-7

Open Heavens Devotional for Today, Wednesday 28th October, 2015: DANGER OF ENVY I

DANGER OF ENVY I – Wednesday October 28th 2015

Memorise: A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 27th October, 2015: HE STILL SENDS ANGELS

HE STILL SENDS ANGELS –Tuesday October 27th 2015

Memorise: Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 1:14

Open Heavens for Monday 26th October, 2015: HELP AFTER LOSING HOPE

HELP AFTER LOSING HOPE – Monday October 26th 2015

Memorise: For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. Ecclesiastes 9:4

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 24th October, 2015: INSTRUMENTS OF DELIVERANCE

INSTRUMENTS OF DELIVERANCE – Saturday October 24th 2015

Memorise: 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. Jeremiah 1:7

Open Heavens for Friday 23rd October, 2015: WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES?

WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES? – Friday October 23rd 2015

Memorise; Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Psalm 3:7

WEALTH TRANSFER - Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 18th October, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

WEALTH TRANSFER – Sunday October 18th 2015

Memorise: A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Proverbs 13:22

CLAIMING UNCLAIMED HARVESTS :- Open Heavens for Thursday 15th October, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

CLAIMING UNCLAIMED HARVESTS – Thursday October 15th 2015

Memorise: I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. John 4:38

OBEY OR LOSE YOUR CHANCE - Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 11th October, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

OBEY OR LOSE YOUR CHANCE – Sunday October 11th 2015

Memorise: While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Hebrews 3:15

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 7th October, 2015: PRAYER AND JOY

PRAYER AND JOY – Wednesday October 7th 2015

Memorise: Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be fall. John 16:24

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 5th October, 2015: SCEPTRE OF HIS POWER

SCEPTRE OF HIS POWER – Monday October 5th 2015

Memorise: But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Hebrews 1:8

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 4th October, 2015: ONLY A PRIVILEGE

ONLY A PRIVILEGE – Sunday October 4th 2015

Memorise: The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:8

STEALING FROM GOD: Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 2nd October, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

STEALING FROM GOD – Friday October 2nd 2015

Memorise: For ye are brought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1st Corinthians 6:20

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 1st October, 2015: HOLD THE FORT!

HOLD THE FORT! – Thursday October 1st 2015

Memorise: Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:16

Open Heavens for Monday 28th September, 2015: RUN! DON’T REST

RUN! DON’T REST – Monday September 28th 2015

Memorise: For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Hebrews 13:14

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 27th September, 2015: FROM DEBTOR TO CREDITOR

FROM DEBTOR TO CREDITOR – Sunday September 27th 2015

Memorise: For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. 
 Psalm 72:12

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 26th September, 2015: CHILDREN ARE YOUR TOMORROW

CHILDREN ARE YOUR TOMORROW – Saturday September 26th 2015

Memorise: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 25th September, 2015: BEWARE OF MANIPULATORS

BEWARE OF MANIPULATORS – Friday September 25th 2015

Memorise: A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. Proverbs 22:3

Open Heaven Devotional for Thursday 24th September, 2015: INSTRUCTION RESCUES

INSTRUCTION RESCUES – Thursday September 24th 2015

Memorise: He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:20

ENDURING HARDSHIP - Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 21st September, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye of RCCG

ENDURING HARDSHIP – Monday September 21st 2015

Memorise: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:11

Read: Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Bible in one year: Leviticus 6:8-7:38, 1st Corinthians 5:1-6:11

MESSAGE
The devil knows the glorious tomorrow that awaits every believer in Christ when they cross the finish line of the Christian race. This is why he fights tooth and nail to derail us from reaching our goal. He was a part of the heavenly bliss that will be our reward, but he lost his place due to evil thoughts (Isaiah 14:12-15). He does not want us to taste what he lost; hence he works through wiles to bring us down (Ephesians 6:11). One of the wiles that Satan uses in making believers in Christ abandon the Christian race is hardship. Some people have pulled out of heaven’s marathon before getting to the finish line, due to their inability to endure hardship. Our Lord Jesus Christ described such people in Mark 4:17

“And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.”
The expectations you had when you entered the Christian faith matter a lot. The Christian faith is not a bed of roses. The way of the cross that leads to Heaven is not a path laden with gold and easy to take. If anyone tells you that once you believe in Jesus, all your problems will disappear and everything will always go well, you are being deceived. The day you signed up as a believer in Christ, the die was cast and the battle line was drawn between you and the kingdom of darkness. From that day, you become a sworn enemy of the forces of darkness. They will surely attack you and try to make you feel miserable.

You are expected to endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ (2nd Timothy 2:3). The inability to endure difficult and trying times makes one a bad soldier of the cross. Even when God blesses you, He still leaves room for you to be persecuted, tried and ridiculed. Your faith in Christ may be tested through lack, hunger, unanswered prayers, false accusations, ill health, and so on. Jesus in our Bible reading taught that if you can take persecution, being reviled by men and false accusation in good faith, you are blessed and on the path to Heaven. On the other hand, if you easily get offended by these, if nothing is done to correct your attitude, you may become derailed from the faith. Are you offended in Christ? Towards the end of his stay on earth, John the Baptist began to doubt if the same Person he had declared to be the Son of God was the true Messiah (Matthew 11:2-6). In His reply to John’s questions, the Lord told him not to be offended in Him. It is a good thing to suffer persecution for your faith in Christ. Never get to the point of being offended in Him.

Prayer Point: Father, let patience have its perfect work in my life, so that I will be wanting in nothing.

SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 15, 2015

THE BEGINNING OF BEGINNINGS - Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 20th September, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

THE BEGINNING OF BEGINNINGS – Sunday September 20th 2015

Memorise: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

DESTINIES CAN CHANGE - Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 19th September, 2015

DESTINIES CAN CHANGE – Saturday September 19th 2015

Memorise: Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. Hebrews 4:1

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 18th September, 2015: POPULARITY CAN EBB

POPULARITY CAN EBB - Friday 18th September, 2015

Memorise: There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. Proverbs 21:30

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 16th September, 2015: THE REAL FIX YOU NEED!

THE REAL FIX YOU NEED! – Wednesday September 16th 2015

Memorise: Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 15th September, 2015: AFRAID OF YOUR MIRROR IMAGE?

AFRAID OF YOUR MIRROR IMAGE? – Tuesday September 15th 2015

Memorise: For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a door, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: James 1:23

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 14th September, 2015: THE RIGHT ROOT

THE RIGHT ROOT – Monday September 14th 2015

Memorise: And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. Mark 4:17

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 13th September, 2015: HE GRAFTS IN

HE GRAFTS IN – Sunday September 13th 2015

Memorise: Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Romans 11:19

YOUR DESTINY IS UNSTOPPABLE: Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 12th September, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

TOPIC: YOUR DESTINY IS UNSTOPPABLE - Saturday 12 September, 2015

Memorise: Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? - Romans 9:19.

Open Heavens Devcotional for Friday 11th September, 2015: SCHEMING: NOT ALLOWED

SCHEMING: NOT ALLOWED – Friday September 11th 2015

Memorise: But all these woreth that one and the selfsame spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 1st Corinthians 12:11

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 10th September, 2015: GOD: AN ENCOURAGER

TOPIC: GOD: AN ENCOURAGER - Thursday 10 September, 2015

Memorise: I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. - Psalm 85:8

DEMONS HINDER DESTINIES: Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 8th September, 2015

TOPIC: DEMONS HINDER DESTINIES - Tuesday 8 September, 2015

Memorise: But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. - Mathew 15:13

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 7th September, 2015: THE LONG WAIT

TOPIC: THE LONG WAIT - Monday 7 September, 2015

Memorise: And saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. - 2 Peter 3:4

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 6th September, 2015: HE CONTROLS TIME AND SEASONS

TOPIC: HE CONTROLS TIME AND SEASONS – Sunday September 6th 2015

Memorise: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: Daniel 2:21

SHINE IN PROSPERITY: Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 5thSeptember, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

TOPIC:SHINE IN PROSPERITY - Saturday September 5, 2015

Memorise: Cry yet, saying, thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.- Zechariah 1:17

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 4th September, 2015: KNOW YOUR PLACE

KNOW YOUR PLACE – Friday September 4th 2015

Memorise: But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judge of no man - 1st Corinthians 2:15

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 3rd September, 2015: GOD'S GOODNESS IS COMING

GOD'S GOODNESS IS COMING – Thursday September 3rd, 2015

Memorise: I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday, September 1st, 2015: TOLERATING DEMONS?

TOPIC: TOLERATING DEMONS?

Memorise: Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 31st August, 2015: PRAYER NEUTRALISES FEAR

TOPIC: PRAYER NEUTRALISES FEAR - Monday August 31, 2015

Memorise: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 30th August, 2015: UNDERSTANDING THE ABRAHAMIC BLESSING

TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING THE ABRAHAMIC BLESSING - Sunday August 30, 2015

Memorise: Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. - Numbers 23:20

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 29th August, 2015: WHEN HE BECKONS TO YOU

TOPIC: WHEN HE BECKONS TO YOU - Saturday August 29, 2015

Memorise: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. - John 7:37

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 28th August, 2015: HE STILL SENDS BIRDS

TOPIC: HE STILL SENDS BIRDS - Friday August 28, 2015

Memorise: And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook: and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. - 1 Kings 17:4.

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 27th August, 2015: WEAPONS FOR GOD'S SERVANTS

TOPICS: WEAPONS FOR GOD'S SERVANTS - Thursday August 27, 2015

Memorise: And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. - 1 Samuel 3:19

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 26th August, 2015: TOPIC: CRUELTY, EXPLOITATION & STEALING

TOPIC: CRUELTY, EXPLOITATION & STEALING - Wednesday August 26, 2015

Memorise: Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. - Ephesians 4:28

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 25th August, 2015: TIME TO FAST

TIME TO FAST – Tuesday August 25th 2015

Memorise: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 

Bible in one year: Genesis 39:1-41:36

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 24th August, 2015: INSANITY TERMINATED INSTANTLY

INSANITY TERMINATED INSTANTLY – Monday August 24th 2015

Memorise: God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her and that right early.
 Psalm 46:5

Bible in one year: Genesis 37-38

Read: Mark 5:1-15

HEAVEN AT LAST - Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 23rd August, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

TOPIC: HEAVEN AT LAST - Sunday August 23, 2015

Memorise: In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so l would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. -John 14:2

Read: Revelation 21:1-8
 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Bible in one year: Genesis 35-36; John 18:33-19:16

Open Heavens for Saturday 22nd August, 2015: RECOVERING YOUR HEALTH

TOPIC: RECOVERING  YOUR HEALTH - Saturday August 22, 2015

Memorise: Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. - 2 Kings 5:14

Read: 2 Kings 5:14
14. Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Bible In One Year: Genesis 32:22-34:31; John 18:15-32

MESSAGE:
"And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all." - 1 Samuel 30:18-19

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 21st August, 2015: RENEWED BY A LITTLE CAKE

RENEWED BY A LITTLE CAKE - Friday 21st August, 2015

Memorise: And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 1st Kings 19:7

Read: John 6:5-13 
 5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 20th August, 2015: THE WORD AS A WEAPON

THE WORD AS A WEAPON – Thursday August 20th 2015

Memorise: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrew 4:12

Read: Matthew 4:1-11

MESSAGE
Besides shouting, praising God, the Name of Jesus and the Blood of Jesus, another very important weapon available to believers in Christ is the word of God. Psalm 1:2-3 reveals that the word of God is a weapon against physical and financial dryness. Psalm 1:3 says:

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

This is simply great. The word of God fights against every anti-progressive element it comes in contact with. If you delight in God’s word and meditate daily on it, you create the opportunity for it to work for your prosperity. How often do you spend quality time feasting on God’s word? Some people think they are doing other people a favour by reading the Bible. No! You are only doing yourself a favour. If you fail to create time for the word, you are only doing yourself a disservice.

CURE FOR WRINKLES - 4 Steps to Cure Wrinkles

There are some easy ways to cure wrinkles on your skin that will not require you spending a fortune. The only thing is that you will need to carry out the exercises regularly. Below is a step by step method consisting of four way

4 Step by Step Ways to Cure Wrinkles
1. Daily Cleansing: The face should be cleansed with a cleanser every morning. The use of soap and water may some times do more harm than good because the chemicals used in producing some of the soaps may react with your skin.

The best practice therefore is to look for a cleanser that is suitable for your skin depending on your type of skin. Get a very soft cotton wool and soak it in the cleanser. Use this to clean your face, at least, twice every morning. Make sure you use another cotton wool if the first one is dirty.

Some cleansers are also used on the body generally. You can get any good cream cleanser and use it on your body. You will be surprised at the result as the wrinkles on your skin will be disappearing gradually.

2. Exfoliation: Exfoliation is the process of getting rid of dead skin from the body. It is advisable to do this, at least two times in a week to get good results.

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 19th August, 2015: STEALING FROM YOUR EMPLOYER?

STEALING FROM YOUR EMPLOYER? – Wednesday August 19th 2015

Memorise: Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart - Ephesians 6:6

Read: Ephesians 6:5-8

MESSAGE
One aspect of Christian character that is often neglected is our place of paid employment. Some people out-rightly steal things kept in their care by their employer; such should not even be mentioned among Christians. However, there are other subtle ways people steal from their employers. When you accept to work for an organisation, there is an understanding or even a written agreement regarding your working hours. If you are to resume at 7:30 AM but you get late to work, you are stealing time from your employer. If you are to close at 5:00 PM but you leave at 4:00 PM, you are a thief. There are even situations where an employee will resume and close at the normal time, but while in the office, instead of concentrating on the assignment at hand, he or she will spend a good portion of time browsing the internet for personal leisure, watching television or videos, or just gallivanting and gossiping from desk to desk. If you are engaged in any of these, you are equally stealing time from your employer. In addition, taking or using for personal purposes any material or property that belongs to your organisation with permission amounts to stealing.

WRINKLES : The Basic Causes

A fold or ridge on the skin is called a wrinkle. Wrinkles, they say, are road maps to your life because we all have wrinkles when we continue to grow old.

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 18th August, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye: LIFE MORE ABUNDANT

LIFE MORE ABUNDANT – Tuesday August 18th 2015

Memorise: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Read: John 10:9-11

MESSAGE
God’s plan for His children is that they do not become sick at all (3rd John 2). All through His years on earth, our Lord Jesus Christ was never sick. If you believe in Him and fully obey Him, it is possible for you to never be sick again. Sickness is alien to God’s temple – your body. It is a stranger, an invader and a tool of the enemy. John 10:10 says the mission of the devil is to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to steal your health, kill your body and destroy you. But thank God, 1st John 3:8 Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Every work of darkness operating in your life shall be destroyed in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 17th August, 2015: PROGRESS WITH SPEED

PROGRESS WITH SPEED – Monday August 17th 2015

Memorise: Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Psalm 124:7

Read: Psalm 126:1-4

MESSAGE
Promotion can come to you through either human or divine assistance. The assisted state of progress attained through this promotion moves you to a level where you are not supposed to be. The greatest promotion of all is that which transforms a sinner into a saint. This is only made possible through divine assistance. Because man could not attain this spiritual promotion by his own efforts, God came in to help us. This season, the Lord will assist you and move you to a level you are not qualified to occupy in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavnes Devotional for Sunday 16th August, 2015: PEACE THROUGH HIS PRESENCE

PEACE THROUGH HIS PRESENCE – Sunday August 16th 2015

Memorise: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 5:1

Read: Exodus 14:13-14

MESSAGE
The assurance that God is on the side of the righteous and not against them, give peace to their life. It is commonly said that “One with God is majority.” Even if the whole world is against you, as long as you know that God is on your side, you will not be afraid. As a child of God, because God has justified and cleansed you, there is now peace between you and Him (Romans 5:1). The rift of separation is gone! Condemnation is also gone! Praise God! As long as God stands by you, nobody can withstand you (Romans 8:31). If God is for you, it means that He loves you, and if He loves you, then you are more than a conqueror. If God is for you, He will personally take over the battles of your life. As you simply praise and worship Him, He will arise and engage your enemies in battle. You can be certain He will bring the victory back to you. While facing the Red Sea with no visible way to cross it, the children of Israel suddenly had the Egyptian army rushing furiously towards them. Faced with this impossible situation, Moses said this to them in Exodus 14:14:

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 15th August, 2015: FAVOUR UPROOTS OBSTACLES

FAVOUR UPROOTS OBSTACLES – Saturday August 15th 2015

Memorise: Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. Job 10:12

Read: Zachariah 4:6-9

MESSAGE
In the journey of life, the enemy can place obstacles in the way of a man to prevent the actualisation of his destiny. Zerubbabel was a man commissioned by God to rebuild the ruins of Jerusalem and to restore the worship of God at His temple. The Word of the Lord concerning this came expressly to him through several prophets and scribes, including Zechariah, Haggai and Ezra (Haggi 1:1-2, Zechariah 4:9, Ezra 2:1-2). In spite of these facts, the enemy still put difficulties along his way to prevent him from fulfilling God’s divine destiny for his life (Ezra 4:3-5). However, Zrubbabel found favour before God, and the unmerited favour of God was sent to uproot the obstacles the enemy placed in his way (Zachariah 4:7). This season, the Lord will remove every obstacle the enemy has placed in your way in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 14th August, 2015:HE USES FISHERMEN

HE USES FISHERMEN – Friday August 14th 2015

Memorise: Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 1st Corinthians 12:22

Read: Luke 5:1-11

MESSAGE
When the time comes for God to fulfil a plan He has predestined ton happen, He looks out for those He can use for this purpose. God does not discriminate in His choice of persons to use to accomplish His mission. He can use the great or the small. When the time came for Him to choose those who would serve and learn His Son, He chose some raw fishermen. Our God is awesome, and His ways are past finding out! In today’s Bible reading, when Jesus found Peter, He told him that from that day, he would no longer catch fishes from the sea, but human souls from the world. If God can use a raw uneducated fisherman like Peter, He can use you more. 

Open Heavens for Thursday 13th August, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye: PLEAD THE BLOOD

PLEAD THE BLOOD – Thursday August 13th 2015

Memorise: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11

Read: Exodus 12:12-13

MESSAGE
The Blood of Jesus Christ is an expensive weapon made available to every believer in Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ paid such a high price to secure this weapon for us; a price so high that the Bible refers to this weapon as precious. 1 Peter 1:19 says:

“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

As you understand the worth of this weapon, you will appreciate the power it can unleash on the enemy. Little wonder the kingdom of darkness cannot stand the Blood of Jesus. To eliminate all doubt, a loud voice expressly declared from Heaven the victory of the saints over Satan himself through the Blood of Jesus, in Revelation 12:11:

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 12th August, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye: LOOK BEYOND THE BUS STOP

LOOK BEYOND THE BUS STOP – Wednesday August 12th 2015

Memorise: For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:3

Read: Hebrews 12:1-3

MESSAGE
From Hebrews 12:1, we understand that a race has been set before us as Christians. We did not initiate the race, but our decision to fellow Jesus Christ automatically signed us in as partakers. Moreover, this race is an unusual marathon. If you lack patience, you cannot run the race. If you want to run it like a spirit, you would only be wasting your time, because God will not redesign the race for you; rather, you are the one who needs to adjust to His programme.

Open Heavens for Tuesday 11th August, 2015: SPIRIT, NOT FLESH by Pastor E.A Adeboye

SPIRIT, NOT FLESH – Tuesday August 11th 2015

Memorise: Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? Hebrew 12:9

Read: Isaiah 40:6-8

MESSAGE
Man is limited because he is confined to a body made from dust (Genesis 3:19). He is also limited because even at his best, he is comparable to the flowers of the field (Isaiah 40:6-8), which grow, glow, fade and die. Sometimes, because they are glowing so beautifully, they are cut and used either for play or for decoration, after which they die. Unlike man, God is not limited, because He is Spirit and He is not made of dust. Jesus in John 4:24 revealed the nature of God to us when He said:

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Open Heavens for today, Monday 10th August, 2015: NORMAL & ASSISTED PROGRESS

NORMAL & ASSISTED PROGRESS – Monday August 10th 2015

Memorise: He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: Psalm 78:70

Read: Genesis 27:1-10

MESSAGE
On the scale of progress, after the state of retardation comes the state of normal promotion. This refers to a state of progress where growth occurs at a normal rate or at a generally acceptable pace. A person operating on this level moves step by step and from stage to stage. In some organisations, it is normal to be promoted from one level to another once in four or five years. However, the problem with this kind of promotion is that it is ordinary; there is nothing exceptional about it. It is at variance with the abundant life Jesus came to give us (John 10:10). Normal promotion is not exactly what God has planned for you as a child of destiny. It is crowded at this level of progress. In all their lifetime, some people have never experienced any type of progress beyond the normal. If you are in this category, the Lord is moving you to something higher this season in Jesus’ Name. From a crowded school of prophets and teachers in Antioch, the Holy Ghost separated Paul and Barnabas to an exceptional life in ministry (Acts 13:1-2). The Lord will separate you from the crowd and make you exceptional in Jesus’ Name. 

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 9th August, 2015: YOUR BLESSINGS ARE RESERVED

YOUR BLESSINGS ARE RESERVED – Sunday August 9th 2015

Memorise: The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant place; yea, I have a goodly heritage. Psalm 16:6

Read: Psalm 16:5-9.

MESSAGE
One thing that robs many people of peace is the uncertainty of the future. If you are living in right standing with God, your future is guaranteed not by man or by the economy of your nation, but by God. Hence, Isaiah 3:10 says:

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

Are you saved, sanctified and living a life that pleases God daily? If you are, then you have no reason to be worried about your tomorrow. Your future is secured in Christ. This is the reason why Jesus charged His own not to worry over what to eat, drink or wear (Matthew 6:25-34). With this assurance, Apostle Paul also in Philippians 4:6 said:

FAVOUR BRINGS DIVINE FOCUS: Open Heavens devotional for Saturday 8th August, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

FAVOUR BRINGS DIVINE FOCUS – Saturday August 8th 2015

Memorise: And as Jesus passed by he saw a man which was blind from his birth. John 9:1

Read John 9:1-7

MESSAGE
John 9:1 talks about a man who was born blind. He had been blind for over 40 years, but when his day of favour came, Jesus saw him. This was not an accidental glance; rather, God directed the attention He gives to the whole universe to this blind man. The favour of God brought this blind man under divine focus. Through this same favour, Esther also came under special focus (Esther 5:1-8). King Ahasuerus did not just see Esther; he focused his attention on her. This was not ordinary king; he was a very busy king overseeing 120 nations. As busy as he was, when he looked at Esther, it was not just a passing glance but a life-changing glance of favour.

Open Heavens for Friday 7th August, 2015: HELP FROM SUBORDINATES

HELP FROM SUBORDINATES – Friday August 7th 2015

Memorise: And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vine dressers. Isaiah 61:5

Read: 2nd Kings 5:1-4, 10-14

MESSAGE
God had His agenda already set out before the foundation of the world. When the right time comes for Him to unfold a specific plan in His agenda, He looks out for those He can use to achieve His purpose. For example, when the time came for God to accomplish an earlier plan to turn a Syrian army general into a worshipper of Jehovah, God sought the vessel to use, and He found a young captive girl who was serving as a maid in the house of Naaman. She cooperated with God and told Naaman’s wife of a highly anointed prophet of God in Israel who could cure the incurable leprosy that was a blemish upon Naaman’s life.

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 6th August, 2015:VARIOUS WEAPONS AT YOUR DISPOSAL

VARIOUS WEAPONS AT YOUR DISPOSAL – Thursday August 6th 2015

Memorise: O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalm 47:1

Read: Psalm 47:1-3

MESSAGE
One of the spiritual weapons at the disposal of God’s children is shouting. All that the children of Israel did to pull down the formidable walls of Jericho was to shout. The Bible in Joshua 6:20 says:

“So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”

Do you know that you can utilise the weapon of shouting to receive your miracle or breakthrough? Some years ago, a woman was brought to us at the headquarters of our church. She complained that for years, whenever she ate, she vomited. The doctors had tried all they could to help her retain the food she ate, but nothing worked. It was so bad that even when she drank water, she would vomit it. When she was brought in, I told everyone to shout Hallelujah! As she did, she vomited a worm, and that was the end of her sickness. As you shout Hallelujah this season, you shall receive your miracle in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 5th August, 2015: ASK, DON’T TAKE

ASK, DON’T TAKE – Wednesday August 5th 2015

Memorise: Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, it is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. Proverb 28:24

Read: Matthew 7:7-12

MESSAGE
It is common for people to re-brand a particular evil act by giving it a more tolerable name. They do this so that the fall weight of that evil act is not felt by their conscience. However, re-branding prostitutes as commercial sex workers or calling sexually transmitted diseases “gentleman’s disease” does not change them from being what they are before God. In the same vein, describing stealing as “taking” does not stop it from being an evil act.

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 4th August, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye : HOLD ON TO THE TRUTH

HOLD ON TO THE TRUTH – Tuesday August 4th 2015

Memorise: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17

Read: John 17:13-17

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 3rd August, 2015: RETARDED PROGRESS

RETARDED PROGRESS – Monday August 3rd 2015

Memorise: For when for the time you ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Hebrew 5:12

Read: Genesis 49:1-4

MESSAGE
A state of progress in which forward or upward movement is so slow, sluggish or negligible, to the point of becoming an embarrassment, can be referred to as retarded progress. When a 13-year old teenager is still being fed with a feeding bottle or is behaving like a two-year old child, growth in such a case is referred to as retarded. Sometimes, it is better not to make any progress at all then to make the type of progress that brings embarrassment. Retarded progress can also be seen as a trapped destiny. When Jacob was about to die, he called all his children together and began to make certain pronouncements over each of them depending on how they had lived their lives. When he was the one supposed to receive the double portion generational blessing, it would be denied him. Jacob categorically stated that he would not excel. From that day, the future of Reuben that looked so bright and promising became bleak. His destiny was trapped.

Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye: Open Heavens for Sunday 2nd August, 2015:HOLINESS DELIVERS PEACE

HOLINESS DELIVERS PEACE – Sunday August 2nd 2015

Memorise: I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him - Isaiah 57:19

Read: Isaiah 57:19-21


MESSAGE
Long life and mercy are two benefits derivable from living a life of holiness. In addition to these, peace is another dividend of a holy life. A fellow living a sanctified life enjoys God’s peace at an optimum level. If you are saved and still lack peace, ask God to sanctify you wholly. The moment He does this, you will begin to enjoy peace that is way beyond human understanding. After interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel gave him this piece of advice.

“Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.” Daniel 4:27

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 1st August. 2015: FAVOUR FROM A DISTANCE

FAVOUR FROM A DISTANCE – Saturday August 1st 2015

Memorise: And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Isaiah 60:3

Read: Exodus: 3:1-4

MESSAGE
When your day of favour dawns, favour will locate you wherever you are. Sometime ago, we went to hold a crusade in Italy. While we were preaching, the message was being aired over the radio. Suddenly, the Lord said that there was a man listening to me via the radio who was impotent. The Lord asked me to tell the fellow that his virility was restored. Meanwhile, the man in question was lying on his bed in his house, far away from where we were. As soon as he heard the word, his manhood was restored. Favour located him at home. By the time he tried to locate us at the crusade ground, we had closed and left for the hotel where we were staying. When he got to the hotel, he burst into our room saying he was the one whose case was addressed, and that he had received his miracle. 

Open Heavens for Today, Friday 31st July, 2015: PARTAKING IN DIVINE AGENDA

PARTAKING IN DIVINE AGENDA – Friday July 31st 2015

Memorise: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:33

Read: Luke 1:31-33

MESSAGE
When God says He will do a thing, He is telling you what He has already done in the realm of the Spirit. It is already a settled matter. If He says He will give you peace, it means that peace is already released to you. Every good promise that God has made to you shall become reality shortly in Jesus’ Name. When Jesus made this promise in Matthew 16:18:

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

He was simply saying something He had already done. He was telling Peter what He had already finished, long before Peter was born. Luke 1:33 declares that there is no end to the increase of God’s kingdom. This means that whether the devil and the world like it or not, the church will keep marching on. It also means that even when you do not know how to access to the funds you need to build that local assembly to the glory of God’s Name, God knows. He has already provided for all the churches that would be built in His Name, even before the foundation of the world was laid. This is why I know that you will not be stranded or frustrated over the assignment of enlarging God’s kingdom on earth. God’s provision for your assignment shall be evident this season in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens for Thursday 30th July, 2015: RESPONSE TO DISCOURAGEMENT by Pastor E.A Adeboye

Topic: Response To Discouragement - Thursday July 30, 2015

Memorise: Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. - Joshua 1:9

Read: 1 Samuel 30:3-8
3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

Open Heavens for Wednesday 29th July, 2015: ASK FOR PERMISSION!

TOPIC:   ASK FOR PERMISSION! – Wednesday July 29th 2015

Memorise: Thou shalt not steal. Exodus 20:15

Read: Genesis 49:3-4

 MESSAGE
One commandment that God gave to the children of Israel in the wilderness, which is still very relevant to us today, is the commandment not to steal (Exodus 20:15). Stealing can occur physically, in the realm of the soul and spiritually. Physical stealing can further be classified as stealing from man and stealing from God (Malachi 3:8). To steal is to take another person’s property without their consent or approval, particularly with the intention of not returning it. As a growing child, teenager or youth, if you take your parent’s money without their consent, you are a thief. Some youths will say “Whatever belongs to my father belongs to me. I shall be free to take any of his things whenever I like.” No sir! Your parents have plans for all that they have. Taking their things without their approval can destabilise some of those plans. It can also inflict pain, sorrow and untold hardship on your parents. A child who is well brought up will ask his or her parents for what they want and give them the opportunity to approve or deny the request. The right rule to live by is: anything your parents are not ready to give you must not be taken. If you take it, you are a thief and not better than any robber out there.

Open Heavens for Sunday 26th July, 2015: DIVIDENDS OF HOLINESS

Topic: Dividends of Holiness - Sunday July 26, 2015]

Memorise: Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. - Hosea 10:12

Read: Lamentations 3:22-25
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

MESSAGE:
Everyone saved by the precious Blood of the Lamb is called to a lifestyle of holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7). Believe it or not, a lifestyle of holiness pays great dividends. Proverbs 11:19 says:

“As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.”

Open Heavens for Saturday 25th July, 2015: Holy Living & Healthy Living

Topic: Holy Living & Healthy Living - Saturday July 25, 2015

Memorise: The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. - 1 Corinthians 15:56

Read: 1 Timothy 4:6-9
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

Open Heavens for Thursday 23rd July, 2015: THE SPIRITUAL MARATHON by Pastor E.A Adeboye

Topic: The Spiritual Marathon - Thursday July 23, 2015

Memorise: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. - Mathew 24:13

Read: Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

MESSAGE:
The day you genuinely gave your life to Christ, you began a race. It is a spiritual race. The race to Heaven is not a sprint but a marathon. It is not something you run with all your strength for just one day and it ends there. Unlike the regular marathon that goes through streets and paths already marked out, you may have to take unmarked routes and paths hitherto unknown while running this race. Also, unlike in regular marathons where you can meet someone who has successfully finished the race for tips, those who have run this peculiar race to the end are definitely not around on earth for people to consult with.

Open Heavens for Friday 17th July, 2015: BREAKING LIMITATIONS by Pastor E.A Adeboye

TOPIC :BREAKING LIMITATIONS – Friday July 17th 2015

Memorise: Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27

Read: Isaiah 40:6-8

Message
Your ability to perform well depends largely on the power and resources available to you. Every human being will be faced with the reality of insufficient resources in the face of a pressing need at one point or the other. Hence, economists advise us to forgo certain alternatives, and draw up a scale of preference on our needs. Man’s limitations have caused the introduction of certain words and phrases into our vocabulary, such as: impossible, cannot, too late, irreversible, etc. All these reflect our state of human limitation and incapacity. Even God recognises man’s limitations. Psalm 103:14 says:

“For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”

Open Heavens for Sunday 12th July, 2015: TOUCH NOT by Pastor E.A Adeboye

Topic: Touch Not - Sunday July 12, 2015

Memorise: He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophet no harm. - 1 Chronicles 16:21-22

Read: 1 Samuel 30:1-8
1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.
3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
8 And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday July 11, 2015: CONNECTING DESTINY HELPERS by Pastor E.A Adeboye

Topic: Connecting Destiny Helpers - Saturday July 11, 2015

Memorise: My help cometh from the LORD, which made heavens and earth -Psalm 121:2

Read: 1 Samuel 10:3-4
3. Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Beth-el, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:
4. And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.

MESSAGE: God created us to be interdependent. This is why there are several parts in the human body, but all of them work towards the same goal. No man or woman is an island. For you to fulfil your destiny, here are certain people God has sent your way to help you. The degree of success you record and the pace of speed at which you moved will depend to a large extent on your ability to meet your helpers and gain access to their help. On the road to his destiny in Egypt, Joseph was at a loss, wandering in a field while looking for his brothers. God sent him a helper who connected him to their location in Dothan. Genesis 37:15 says:

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday, July 10, 2015: PRAYER PROVOKES BLESSINGS

Topic: Prayer Provokes Blessings - Friday July 10, 2015

Memorise: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. - Matthew 7:8

Read: Luke 1:5-14
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 9th July, 2015: Wonderful Miracle

Topic: Wonderful Miracle - Thursday July 9, 2015

Memorise: Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.-Romans 15:19

Read: Ezekiel 37:1-10
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,
2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 8th July, 2015: Fake Promises & Scales

Topic: Fake Promises & Scales - Wednesday July 8, 2015

Memorise: Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD -Proverbs 20:10

Read: Proverbs 20:7-10
7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
 
MESSAGE:
It is unfortunate that some people make promises and don't bother to keep them. This is one area that requires restitution. Broken promises can stand against you in eternity. This is why you should not make a promise you are not prepared to keep. Politicians easily fall prey here. When they are campaigning for votes, they will promise heaven and earth, but after their election, many of them fail to live up to their promises. If you are a child of God and a politician, let people know the difference between light and darkness by making sure you fulfil your promises. One of the characters of a person who will enjoy the ever-abiding presence of God and make heaven is keeping of promises. Psalm 15:1&4b says:

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 6th July, 2015: THE PRICE MUST BE PAID

TOPIC:  THE PRICE MUST BE PAID - Monday July 6, 2015

Memorise: There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. -Joshua 1:5

Read: 2 Kings 6:15-17
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

MESSAGE:
After God chose Joshua to succeed Moses, Joshua was afraid, as he wondered how he could ever fit into Moses' big shoes. Therefore, God came to reassure him, calm his fears and promised to be with him. He said to him in Joshua 1:5 that:

"There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE - Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 23rd June, 2015

TOPIC: LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE - Tuesday June 23, 2015

Memorise: And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. - Daniel 12:3

Read: Matthew 5:14-16
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

MESSAGE:
Any child of God who desires not to be overwhelmed by the darkness of this world needs to compulsorily shine as the light. The Bible says in John 1:5:

'And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.'

Open Heavens for Monday 22nd June, 2015: THE YOUNG MUST GROW

TOPIC: THE YOUNG MUST GROW - Monday June 22, 2015

Memorise: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. - 2 Peter 3:18

Read: 2 Peter 3:15-18
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

MESSAGE:
There is a privately owned transport outfit in Nigeria which has “The Young Shall Grow” as its company name. This name suggests optimism concerning the potentials of the young. However, in the kingdom of God, the expectation that the young will grow is beyond optimism; it is a matter of compulsion as seen in our memory verse. I pray that you will grow spiritually in Jesus’ Name.

How can a young Christian grow spiritually? Apostle Peter gives a definitive answer in 1 Peter 2:2

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

This is one of the areas where we have issues in the 21st century Church. Some influential churchmen and women have rejected the accuracy and sufficiency of the scripture for Christians living. They have settled for the philosophy of relativism. Incidentally, this development is not new; it was manifested in the early Church also. This formed the basis of why Peter wrote the words of today’s Bible reading. Amazingly, Peter in this epistle made mention of the epistles of Paul, which he described as too hard for the unlearned and unstable. These ones were not ready to grow; so they twisted the epistles of Paul and suit their lusts; just like they did with dismay that a senior pastor of a church said to his congregation that some of those things Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus and to the Corinthians are not necessarily meant for European or African Christians! How on earth would the congregation of such a pastor grow spiritually?

Apostle Peter therefore warns us in 2 Peter 3:17 to beware of the error of the wicked, so that we are not led astray like Eve in Genesis 3:4-5. The serpent seemed to be saying to her: “Don’t mind God; you cannot die at all; God is only being unnecessarily high handed because He does not want you to be as enlightened as He is”. Apostle Peter followed up this warning with the command that all Christians must grow and continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). If a Christian would not grow in grace to do according to the word of God, such a Christian will be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and is doomed for perdition. Therefore, young Christians must grow by being grounded in the true word of God.

Prayer Point: Father, grant me revelation in the knowledge of You, and feed me with the bread of Heaven that I may grow to spiritual maturity in Jesus’ Name.

Bible in one Year: 2 Kings 15:27-17:23, Luke 10:38-11:13

SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 15, 2015 

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 21st June, 2015: THE GREAT GAIN

THE GREAT GAIN – Sunday June 21st 2015

Memorise: But godliness with contentment is great gain - 1st Timothy 6:6

Read: 1st Timothy 6:6-10
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 20th June, 2015: FOUR LEVELS OF BLESSING

TOPIC: FOUR LEVELS OF BLESSING - Saturday June 20, 2015

Memorise: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies my head with oil; my cup runneth over. - Psalm 23:5

Read: Luke 6:38
38 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.

MESSAGE:
The level of God’s blessings on a person comes in different categories. Although all categories of blessing are desirable, only few people experience all the levels of blessing. Let’s take a look at the four levels of blessing outlined in Luke 6:38. I believe an understanding of these will tremendously bless your life.

The first level is the level of being blessed in good measure. Good measure connotes just enough. This is the level of blessing that the Israelites experienced in the wilderness. They were blessed with manna just enough for their needs each day (Exodus 16:16-18).

Open Heavens for Friday 19th June, 2015: THE LONG-SUFFERING GOD

TOPIC: THE LONG-SUFFERING GOD - Friday June 19, 2015

Memorise: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. -2 Peter 3:9

Read: Jonah 3:5-10
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Open Heavens for Wednesday 17th June, 2015: REST IN THE LORD

TOPIC: REST IN THE LORD - Wednesday June 17, 2015

Memorise: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. - Matthew 6:33

Read: Matthew 6:31-34
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Open Heavens for Sunday 14th June, 2015: OUR POSITION IN CHRIST

OUR POSITION IN CHRIST – Sunday June 14th 2015

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

Read: Ephesians 2:1-6

MESSAGE
The Bible reveals that Christians who are genuine children of God are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ through divine adoption (Romans 8:16-17). This is an amazing truth. It implies that we have access to the same resources of heaven which backed up the work of Jesus while He was here on earth. Why then is it that lots of Christians are not operating at the level which he operated while He was here on earth? The problem lies in the fact that although they bear the Name of Jesus, such people are not ready to pay the price that bring a child of God demands of them. Jesus summarised the price we need to pay to operate as children of God in Matthew 11:29a:

“Take saith upon you, and learn of me;”

His yoke has to do with His passion to please His Father. John 4:34 thus says:

“Jesus saith unto them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ, while on earth, was passionate about doing His Father’s will. This is the reason why the Father always heard Him when He prayed. He proudly declared this fact at the tomb of Lazarus in John 11:42:

“And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”

To establish His claim, He commanded the dead Lazarus. Who was already decaying, to come out alive, and Lazarus become a living soul again (John 11:43-44)

The proof of our adoption as children of God is manifested in freedom from the sins which we hitherto lived under before our glorious encounter with Jesus Christ. This is the crux of the message in our Bible reading. As children of God, we must therefore live a life void of sin to the glory of God (1st John 3:9-10). We should also recognise that while we are on earth, we occupy the same position Jesus Christ did while He was on earth; therefore, we can do all that He did and enjoy every privilege He enjoyed (1st John 4:17). Our position in Christ therefore, is to share with Him the same miracle-working experience He had, and give Him the glory. However, we must be children of God indeed. If you have not given you life to Christ, you have no position to share with Jesus Christ. Today is the day of salvation for you.

Prayer Point: Father, grant me grace not to lose my position in Christ to the flesh, sin or this present age.

Bible in one year: 2nd Kings 1-2, Luke 7:36-8:3

SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 15, 2015

THE ESSENCE OF FORGIVENESS - Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 13th June, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye

THE ESSENCE OF FORGIVENESS – Saturday June 13th 2015

Memorise: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25

Read: Mark 11:25-26

MESSAGE
The enmity between God and man, created by sin, can only be reversed through the forgiveness of God. Going by the righteous requirement of God’s law, no man can pay the high price demanded by God for the atonement of sins, but the divine mercy of God brought us forgiveness through the Blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7). Without the power of forgiveness, there can be no atonement, no reconciliation and no salvation.

Just as God has extended His unconditional forgiveness to us, He expects us to extend the same to our neighbours. This is an area where the people of God have problems. We like to enjoy God’s benevolence, but we find it difficult to extend the same to others. The gravity of this negative attitude is found in the parable of Jesus about the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35). Although the king forgave this servant a debt he could not afford to pay, when his fellow servant who also owed him begged his to be patient with him, he refused. Rather, he cast this fellow servant into prison. This attitude made the king so angry that he handed him over to the tormentors and charged them to torment him until he was able to pay his debt. Of course he would not be able to pay; so he was effectively banished to a lifetime of torment. The key thing to note from this parable is what Jesus said in Matthew 18:35:

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 12th June, 2015:

TOPIC: BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN - Friday June 12, 2015

Memorise: For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. - 2 Corinthians 7:10

Read: Matthew 5:4
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

MESSAGE:
The word of God is full of mysteries. Our Bible reading today reveals one of such mysteries. How can mourning, which is an expression of deep sorrow, become a blessing? The answer lies in our memory verse which reveals two types of sorrow: godly sorrow and the sorrow of the world. There are lots of blessings associated with godly sorrow. One of these is that it produces repentance which brings about salvation. Godly sorrow can be experienced as a result of conviction of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:24-25) or through the Father’s chastening. The godly sorrow that results from the Father's chastening, blesses its recipient with the fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11 says;

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 11th June, 2015: PRODUCING CHILDREN OF GOD

PRODUCING CHILDREN OF GOD – Thursday June 11th 2015

Memorise: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God - Romans 10:17

Bible in one year: 1st Kings 18:41-20:25, Luke 6:24-45

Read: 1st John 3:1-3

MESSAGE
Children of God are produced by the power in the Word of God. The reason why it seems genuine children of God are scarce nowadays despite the increase in the number of churches and increase in church attendance is because the Church is suffering from a famine of the genuine Word of God. It is by faith that we become genuine children of God. However, this faith does not come by the wisdom of man; neither does it come by the philosophical sayings of the learned or the motivational words of orators. 1st Corinthians 2:4-5 says.

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 10th June, 2015: A WATCHMAN FOR GOD II

A WATCHMAN FOR GOD II – Wednesday June 10th 2015

Memorise: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. - Matthew 28:20

Bible in one year: 1st Kings 17:8-18:40, Luke 6:1-23

Read: Ezekiel 33:12-16

MESSAGE
As a young Christian, I used to think that the soul purpose of preaching was the conversion of souls. When I preached and people did not respond positively, I used to be discouraged. Often times, I felt that there was no need to preach to people whom I assumed were despises of the message of the gospel, until the Lord led me to a truth about my assignment as a watchman. This truth is hidden in Mathew 24:14:

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

From this scripture, I understood that the gospel must be preached not only from to believe and be saved but also to serve as a witness so that they may be left without excuse! The Psalmist also mentioned this truth in Psalm 51:4. As watchmen, we are therefore left without an excuse if we do not deliver the message as instructed.

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 9th June, 2015: A WATCHMAN FOR GOD I

A WATCHMAN FOR GOD I – Tuesday June 9th 2015

Memorise: Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord - Acts 3:19

Bible in one year: 1st Kings 15:25-17:7

Read: Ezekiel 33:7-11

MESSAGE
God called Prophet Ezekiel and set him as a watchman over the house of Israel. As a watchman for God, he was to hear from Him and warn the people concerning whatsoever God told him. Just like Ezekiel, believers in these end-times, particularly ministers of the gospel, are set as watchmen to warm the world of the impending judgement of God. One of the most important responsibilities of a watchman for God is that he or she must of necessity here from God (Ezekiel 33:7). You must hear from God in order to warn on His behalf those who are perishing. You cannot warn them using your own wisdom; rather, you must tell them what God is saying to them. How do you hear from God through the revealed truth, which is the Holy Bible. This holds truth only for those who still consider the Bible as infallible and having eternal truths of all generations. As a watchman, you must therefore follow the admonition of 2nd Timothy 2:15:

“Study ton shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not a be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 8th June, 2015: MESSENGERS WITHOUT A MESSAGE

MESSENGERS WITHOUT A MESSAGE – Monday June 8th 2015

Memorise: Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine - 2nd Timothy 4:2

Read: 2nd Samuel 18:19-33

MESSAGE
One anomaly noticeable in the Body of Christ today is the presence of messengers running around without a message. An example of such messengers is Ahimaaz in today’s Bible reading. After the death of Absalom, Joab, the captain of David’s army, sent Cushi with a message to the palace; but Ahimaaz volunteered himself to also deliver a message to the king. In spite of the fact that Joab reminded him that he had no reason to go since he had no message to deliver, he insisted that he would, and he was allowed to. The funny thing about this story is that, Ahimaaz outran Cushi who actually had a message to deliver. When Ahimaaz got to King David and he was interrogated, the emptiness of his message was laid bare, and the king therefore asked him to step aside for the person who actually had substance in his message. One cannot help but wonder: what was the essence of Ahimaaz’s effort, so much so that he outran the person who actually had a message?

The attitude demonstrated by Ahimaaz can be referred to as zeal without meaning. This is the situation of some so-called ministers of the gospel today. They are massagers sent by their belly or by the devil (Romans 16:18). How do we know messengers without a message? We know them by their deceptive speeches, which are geared towards making people “feel good” when they should be sober about their lifestyle of sin. Apostle Paul, while giving his final charge to Timothy, his son in Christ and a young bishop, instructed him to:

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

Today, many so-called sermons are actually motivational speeches, given by motivational speakers disguised as preachers. Their message cannot be the word of God; it contains no rebuke, no reproof and no doctrine. As a matter of policy, they would not teach doctrine because they say they have not been called to do so! One cannot help wondering who commissioned them in the first place. It is their belly, of course (Philippians 3:17-19). Beloved, I advise you to be careful of the ministers you listen to, and to filter the type of sermons you admit into your spiritual sub-consciousness. On the other hand, if you are a deceptive preacher of the gospel, desist before the anger of God comes on you without remedy.

Prayer Point: Father, help me to recognise Your appointed messengers, and grant me the grace to listen and do according to Your bidding through them.
  
Bible in one year: 1st Kings 14:1-15:24, Luke 4:38-5:16 

SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 15, 2015