Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 31st March, 2015: PROMPT OBEDIENCE

TOPIC: PROMPT OBEDIENCE – Tuesday March 31st 2015

Memorise: And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Fellow me; and let the dead bury their body - Matthew 8:21-22

Read: 1st Samuel 15:22-23


MESSAGE
In the service of God, sacrifice is good. God expects all His children to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. He also expects our sacrifices to be holy and acceptable (Romans 12:1). However, He makes it clear that He prefers obedience to sacrifice. Jeremiah 7:23 says,

“But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”

Obedience is the act of doing what one is told to do. In the spiritual sense, obedience is total submission to the written and spoken word of God. It is an express but conditional commandment of God. In Exodus 19:5, God instructed the Israelites to obey His voice:

“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people for all the earth is mine:”

Open Heavens for Sunday, March 29, 2015: EMMANUEL

TOPIC: EMMANUEL – Sunday March 29th, 2015

Memorise: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; in those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.  Zechariah 8:23

Read: Matthew 1:18-25
18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
 

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 28th March, 2015: IMPULSIVE PRAISE

TOPIC: IMPULSIVE PRAISE –  March 28th 2015

Memorise: And Mary said, my soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Luke 1:46-47

Read: Acts 3:6-9
 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

Open Heavens for Friday 27th March, 2015: THE MARKS OF THE LORD JESUS

TOPIC:  THE MARKS OF THE LORD JESUS - March 27, 2015

Memorise: From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. - Galatians 6:17

Read: 1 Timothy 6:11-14
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

MESSAGE:
A mark can be described as an impression, a distinguishing trait or quality. Marks indicate characteristics or symbols used for identification or indication of ownership. All heaven-bound Christians are children of God and by implication, belong to Christ (Mark 9:41, Romans 8:16). What are the marks of the Lord Jesus?

Open Heavens for Thursday 26th March, 2015: RENEWING THE MIND

TOPIC: RENEWING THE MIND - March 25, 2015

Memorise: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. - Romans 12:2

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:9-14
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 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.

Open Heavens for Wednesday 25th March, 2015: RENEWING THE MIND

TOPIC: RENEWING THE MIND - March 25, 2015

Memorise: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. - Romans 12:2

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:9-14
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 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.

Open Heavens for Tuesday 24th March, 2015: ATTITUDES TO WORSHIP

TOPIC: ATTITUDES TO WORSHIP - March 24, 2015

Memorise: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. -John 4:24

Read: Isaiah 40:12-22
12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.

17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.

18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.

21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

Open Heavens for Monday 23rd March, 2015: KEYS TO ANSWERED PRAYER

TOPIC: KEYS TO ANSWERED PRAYER - March 23, 2015

Memorise: O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. - Psalm 65:2

Read: Matthew 7:7-11
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Open Heavens for Sunday 22nd March, 2015: DO YOU HAVE TRUE LOVE?

TOPIC: DO YOU HAVE TRUE LOVE? - March 22, 2015

Memorise: Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, eudureth all things. -1 Corinthians 13:7

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Open Heavens for Saturday 21st March, 2015: SIN-DOMINATED?

TOPIC: SIN-DOMINATED? - March 21, 2015

Memorise: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. - Romans 6:14

Read: Romans 6:1-6
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Open Heavens for Friday 20th March, 2015: SANCTIFICATION PRECEDES DIVINE COMMISSIONING

TOPIC: SANCTIFICATION PRECEDES DIVINE COMMISSIONING - March 20, 2015

Memorise: If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. - 2 Timothy 2:21.

Read: John 17:13-19.
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.
18. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world?
19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Open Heavens for Thursday 19th March, 2015: SATAN'S ATTACK OR THE LORD'S CHASTENING?

TOPIC: SATAN'S ATTACK OR THE LORD'S CHASTENING? - March 19, 2015

Memorise: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. - Hebrews 12:6

Read: Hebrews 12:4-6
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

MESSAGE:
Christians are spiritual soldiers. We engage in constant warfare against principalities, powers and wicked spiritual forces that operate in high places. Ephesians 6:12 says that:

Open Heavens for Wednesday, March 18, 2015: LIVING BY VISION AND REVELATION

TOPIC: LIVING BY VISION AND REVELATION - March 18, 2015

Memorise: After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. - Genesis 15:1

Read: Genesis 41:38-43
38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

MESSAGE:
Vision is the energy of progress and a determinant of destiny. Vision is no doubt one of the most powerful forces available to a man on earth today. It gives meaning to life, keeps us alive and conditions our lives. Vision inspired the Greeks to produce philosophy and art that still impacts the thinking of our world. It motivated the great Roman Empire to expand its influence and develop the known world. Vision inspired the explorers who circumvented the globe and ignited the creation and expansion of many of the nations we know today. It is your vision that determines your destiny. Proverbs 29:18 says;

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

True vision is not based on what a person sees with the physical eyes alone, but on the images seen with the inward eyes of the mind. A man of vision sees what God has planned for him before its fulfillment. Vision entails planning and goal-setting. Every great person in history owned a personal vision. A man with no vision is at best a living corpse. He desires nothing and achieves nothing. Is your life directed by a clear vision? Do you know your potential for fulfilling this vision? Have you developed a concrete plan for your vision? What active steps have you taken towards the fulfillment of your vision? Do you recognise people's influence on your vision? These are all questions you need to answer if you will leave your prints on the sand of time. When you begin to act on your vision, it will stir up both those who want to help you and those who want to hinder you. How passionate are you about your vision? Visons requires faith for fulfillment. Have you built up the faith necessary for the fulfillment of your God-given vision? And most importantly, what is the source of your vision?

In addition to true vision, God's people live by revelation. A Christian is expected to operate on a God-given vision and by revelation. Christianity is an intimate growing relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. Every child of God should therefore live by the revelation of the Word. We should live by what the Word of God says. God expect you to arrange your life based on His Word, regardless of whether it makes sense to you or not, and regardless of whether it is convenient or not. God knows what is best for your future, your family, your church and your country. He wants to reveal what is on His heart to you, if only He can get your attention. He expects you to diligently pursue your vision and revelations He drops in your spirit. Actualising your vision and the revelation God gives you requires diligence, integrity, focus, good human relations, prayer and faith. How prepared are you to live by these?

Action Point: Dust up that vision or revelation God gave you so long ago and diligently run with it. 

Bible in One Year: Daniel 7:9-8:27, Mathew 4:1-22

SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 15, 2015 by Pastor E.A Adeboye of RCCG 

Open Heavens for Tuesday, March 17, 2015: LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

TOPIC: LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE - March 17, 2015

Memorise: If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. - John 13:14.

Read: Daniel 2:46-49
46. Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.
47. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
48. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
49. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

Open Heavens Devotional for Monday 16th March, 2015: A FRIEND OF GOD?

TOPIC: A FRIEND OF GOD? - March 16, 2015

Memorise: Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. - John 15:14

Read: John 15:13-15
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Message
There are believers who know God, and there are those who claim to know God. Those who are friends of God will go all the way to do as He commands, no matter the sacrifice and pain required. In Genesis 5:22-24, it was repeated twice that Enoch walked with God. He walked with God to the point of no return. The friendship was so tight that God had to tell him, "There is no point remaining on earth again; let us continue our friendship in heaven!" God and Enoch were lovebirds.

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 15th March, 2015: A MORE EXCELLENT NAME

TOPIC: A MORE EXCELLENT NAME - March 15, 2015

Memorise: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. - Hebrews 1:4

Read: Acts 4:6-12
6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Open Heavens Devotional for Saturday 14th March, 2015: MIRACULOUS RECOVERY

TOPIC: MIRACULOUS RECOVERY - March 14, 2015

Memorise: And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. - Joel 2:25

Read: 2 Kings 6:1-7
1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.
7 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.

Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 13th March, 2015: THE PAINS OF DISOBEDIENCE

TOPIC: THE PAINS OF DISOBEDIENCE - March 13, 2015

Memorise: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. - 1 Samuel 15:23

Read: 1 Samuel 15:10-11
10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

MESSAGE:
The sin of disobedience is a terrible sin. Nothing hinders the children of God from fulfilling their purpose in life like disobedience. Disobedience comes in many shades. It can take the form of refusal to keep to specific instructions, functioning in an office God has not called you to, courting a wrong relationship or operating in a place you are not meant to be in at a particular time. No matter what form it takes, the truth remains that disobedience is a terrible sin in the sight of the Almighty God. Disobedience compels God to turn blessings into curse, as we see in the account of Adam and Eve ( Genesis 3:17 ). Every act of disobedience erodes your reservoir of God's blessings. Nothing destroys a man faster than the sin of disobedience. That is the reason why you have to check your life today and take stock of your soul, so that your sky will not be turned into brass (Deuteronomy 28:23). When this happens, instead of favour, you will experience closed doors.

Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 12th March, 2015: GET MOTIVATED

TOPIC: GET MOTIVATED - March 12, 2015

Memorise: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. - Galatians 6:9

Read: Proverbs 6:6-8
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

MESSAGE:
Many believers read or study Bible but never meditate on it. If only you can find adequate time to ponder on the Word, you will realize that the solution you need for every issue of life is found in it. Find sometime to ponder on the recommendation in our Bible reading for today, because anyone who wants to amount to anything significant in life has a lot to learn from the ants. Are you already giving up or fainting before time? Then, you have a lot to learn from the ants. The reason why some people with great potential will not go far in life is because they are not self-motivated. Motivation has nothing to do with your height but your mind. Whatever is missing in your mind cannot be find in your life. 

Open Heavens Devotional for Wednesday 11th March, 2015 - ACTIVATING MIRACLES

TOPIC: ACTIVATING MIRACLES - March 11, 2015

Memorise: Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? - John 11:40

Read: Matthew 15:22-28
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
 
MESSAGE:
If you know how to move God, there will never be anything that you will not be able to get done on earth. This is the main reason why it is necessary for every one of us to get closer to God. Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:10 said:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” 
 
He craved to know more of God despite the current depth of his knowledge. Just like Paul, every one of us needs to continue in our thirst for more of Him. If you want God to always move in your life and situation, there are a few things you can do. If these things are not done, you may be compelled to wait longer than expected before miracles can be activated in your life. In Genesis 18:1-5, Abraham had a divine visitation. Some strangers came close to his tent but they did not seek to go inside, even though they were on assignment to bless and transform his life forever. Thank God Abraham was sensitive enough to realise he must do something in order to get something. Abraham showed good hospitality to the visitors. He never knew that by so doing, he was already preparing heaven to move on his behalf. This is why those who give good offerings only once in a while are only denying themselves the miracles that God has promised them. That you gave quality praise yesterday is not enough to deny God praise today. You must constantly do things that will activate the miracles that God has prepared for you.

In the life of a child of God, there are two possible kinds of divine encounter: going to God to meet with Him and God Himself coming on a visit. Either of these encounters has the potential of activating a miracle. When a person meets with God, his life cannot remain the same. The problems of yester years vanish and the mourning of yesterday is turned to laughter. However, when God Himself comes visiting, the miracles received are always record-breaking. I believe there is a reader of this devotional, who will receive a visit from God in Jesus’ Name. 

When God comes visiting, He brings lots of miracles, signs and wonders to the visited. Usually, such visits are activated when there is something critical that needs to be done in the life of the visited. Abraham was visited by God at the time when the hope of having a child of covenant was lost. Is that what your case looks like today? Have you waited all these years and your name has become a synonym for barrenness? Have you been tagged as that woman who has no husband or that man without a job? Today, God will visit you. Every pending promise will be fulfilled. Every secret tear will be wiped away. Your hope is being restored right now in Jesus’ Name. I see all your trials becoming a great testimony.

Prayer Point: Father, let me receive an uncommon visit from you that will turn my life around. 

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 43:13-45:6, Revelation 19:11-20:6

SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 15, 2015 

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 10th March, 2015: BENEFITS OF PATIENCE

TOPIC: BENEFITS OF PATIENCE - March 10, 2015

Memorise: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; - Romans 4:20

Read: Genesis 17:1-5
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Open Heavens for Monday 9th March, 2015: DON'T BE DISCONNECTED

TOPIC: DON'T BE DISCONNECTED -March 09, 2015

Memorise: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. - John 15:4

Read: John 15:1-5
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 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.

MESSAGE:
There are many people who started well in life but ended very badly. If only you can look around you, you will see the giants of yesterday who have become the weaklings of today. This is not the design of God but that of the devil. God calls the weak and foolish so that He can demonstrate His power and ability through them. The Almighty God specialises in bringing the hopeless out of a horrible pit. For those who put their absolute trust in God, He is always ready to set their feet upon the rock; the devil on the other hand, is all out to disconnect man from his source of relevance. He is still busy today doing what he knows how to do best ; (John 10:10 ). The more you relate to God as weak and foolish, the more He put in you the strength and wisdom required to live victoriously on earth. The more you yield yourself to Him, the more He is committed to seeing you bear fruits. The moment there is a disconnect between you and God, you will begin to struggle and experience fruitlessness.

When God called Joshua to step into the shoes of Moses, He promised to be with him. He also promise that throughout his life, no man would be able to stand before him (Joshua 1:1-5). But along the line. The chain of connection was broken because someone touched an unclean thing. This resulted in defeat, contrary to the promised of God (Joshua 7:5-6). Anytime we get disconnected from the source of our strength, we get exposed to danger and become victims in the hand of those who should not be able to stand before us. Obedience to the word of God always generates the required strength for our assignment. Sustained obedience is a basic requirement for sustaining our connection with the source of our strength. Connection to our father is necessary to maintain open doors. If you continue to obey and refuse to give in to any disconnection ploy, the Lord will constantly supply all you need to be fruitful in this life. If you give room to the devil, do not expect God to intervene. This is why you must vehemently resist the devil, stand on God's word and continue to please God in every situation.

One way of ensuring that there is no disconnection between you and the source of power is by preaching the Gospel (John 15:2). Apostle Paul all through his missionary journey never got disconnected, because he was an addicted soul- winner. Paul won several souls to the Lord in Ephesus despite the stiff opposition (Acts 19:7-10). One way God reward soul winner is by creating more opportunities to witness. Do not deceive yourself that you are connected to God when you are not winning souls. When you don't win souls, you are on the easiest route to experiencing a separation from God, your source.

Prayer Point: Father, help me to remain connected to you at all times.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 39:25-40:49, Revelation 18:1-18

SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 15, 2015 

Open Heavens Devotional for Sunday 8th March, 2015: COUNTERFEIT OR GENUINE?

TOPIC: COUNTERFEIT OR GENUINE? - March 08, 2015

Memorise: Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. - 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Read: 1 Corinthians 3:10-14
 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Open Heavens for Saturday 7th March, 2015: SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE

TOPIC: SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE - March 07, 2015

Memorise: The meek will he guide in judgement: and the meek will he teach his way. - Psalm 25:9

Read: Exodus 4:12-15
12. Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
13. And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
14. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
15. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

Message:
It brings great pain to God when His children refuse His guidance. There are many believers still living in bondage because they refused the guidance of God. There are many in wrong relationship, wrong businesses, wrong careers, wrong locations and wrong vocations simply because they have refused to trust the ability of God to guide them. 

A CHANGE FOR GOOD: Open Heavens Devotional for Friday 6th March, 2015

A CHANGE FOR GOOD - March 06, 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

Read: Isaiah 55:6-7
6.Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7.Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto
the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Message:
After God has done something spectacular in your life, there is a need to give quality thanks to Him. You need to appreciate God for His faithfulness and blessings over your life, home and career, as well as for the peace of mind that money cannot buy. Never allow anything to limit your thanksgiving, and always colour your thanksgiving with praise and testimonies. After surviving the flood, Noah and his household offered quality thanks to God for preserving them in the midst of the destruction that came upon the earth. 

Open Heavens for Thursday 5th March, 2015: LOSING YOUR RELEVANCE?

TOPIC: LOSING YOUR RELEVANCE? - March 05, 2015

Memorise: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. - Mathew 5:13

Read: John 15:1-2
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

MESSAGE:
The presence of God is very crucial in the life of anyone who wants to be influential in the things that pertain to righteousness. Any child of God who does not carry the presence of God will fail because he will be struggling when he is supposed to be shining. In the reign of King Solomon, he observed that all those who could have easily refused to obey his commands submitted to him instead. Only the presence of God guarantees such. 1 Chronicles 29:25 says that,

Open Heavens for Wednesday 4th March, 2015: NO ROOM FOR LAZINESS

TOPIC: NO ROOM FOR LAZINESS- March 4, 2015

Memorise: Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: - Proverbs 6:6

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Open Heavens Devotional for Tuesday 3rd March, 2015: IT IS FOR YOUR GOOD

TOPIC: IT IS FOR YOUR GOOD - March 3, 2015

Memorise: The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. - Psalm 19:7

Read: 2 Timothy 3:15-17
15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

PRACTICAL SPIRITUAL MENTORING - Open Heavens for Monday 2nd March, 2015

TOPIC: PRACTICAL SPIRITUAL MENTORING - Monday March 2, 2015

Memorise: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 11:1

Read: John 13:12-17
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

MESSAGE:
In the contemporary Christian church, there is a problem of lack of practical mentoring for new believers. Practical mentoring involves a mentor at the fore-front of practical Christian living, instructing the mentee to follow after his or her example. Such an arrangement faces two problems in today's world. First, some so- called spiritual mentors teach and point their mentees to the narrow path that leads to eternal life, but they themselves are not on this route. They tell disciples the truth about Christian living, but they themselves do something else. Such cannot say what Paul said in Phillippians 3:17:

'Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.'

On the other hand, so-called spiritual mentors compromise the truth of the scriptures so that they can be "free" to exhibit their lusts and unethical dispositions. The youths they ought to give a sense of direction are the same ones they copy under the guise of encouraging them to come to Church. An African adage says : "The wife you marry from a dancing hall will eventually abandon you for sightseeing in the very near future." Another adage also says: "The house you built with spittle will be demolished by the mere dew of heaven." In other words, it does not require a tornado or tsunami to wipe away such spiritual houses built worldly ideas. This is the reason our younger generation of Christians are easy prey to the devil.

In today's Bible reading, we see Jesus practically teaching, mentoring and furnishing his disciples with gems of leadership. He demonstrated to them in a practical way what He had taught them in Matthew 20:27-28:

'And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.'
Are you a Christian mentor, doing or teaching what is wrong? Beware! One dangerous consequence of wrong Christian mentoring is found in the words of Jesus in Mathew 5:19:

'Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.'

Action Point: Say to the Lord: Father, I Thank you for giving me perfect spiritual mentoring through Jesus. Please make me a perfect spiritual mentor as well.' Pray for me on this my birthday, that the Lord will continue to make me an avenue of blessing to this generation. 

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 27:1-28:24 and Revelation 11

SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 15, 2015

A SMALL NEW BEGINNING - Open Heavens for Sunday 1st March, 2015

TOPIC: A SMALL NEW BEGINNING - March 1, 2015

Memorise: Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. - Job 8:7

Read: Zechariah 4:8-10
8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.