OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TUESDAY 15TH DECEMBER, 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: TUESDAY 15TH DECEMBER,  2020.

THEME: DO YOU REALLY LOVE GOD?

MEMORISE: 

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3

READ: JOHN 14:21-24 (KJV)

21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

EPHESIANS 1-6

Click here to read the previous devotional message by Pastor E.A Adeboye

MESSAGE: 

God our Father, the creator of the world, always knows what is best for us. He knows how we should conduct ourselves and live a perfect life. 

In the beginning (after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden), man became a free moral agent, doing whatever pleased him.

However, because man is a spirit, he began to experience a deep spiritual yearning for his Creator whom he lost connection with, due to the fall. 

The Bible says in Genesis 4:26 that “…then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.” However, due to man’s sinful nature, they could not call upon God effectively on their own terms.

To bridge this gap and help man do it right, God gave the ten commandments using the Israelites as the initial recipients. These commandments help us to know the general will of God for us daily. Jesus gave the basic summary of the commandments in Matthew 22:37-40: “…thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” According to our memory verse, the commandments of God are not grievous.

However, the fallen nature of man prompts people to do everything against God’s will now and again. 

Jesus said in John 14:21 

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him"

The Bible verse above is a great litmus test. Do you really love God? You cannot claim to love God if you do not have His commandments in your heart (Psalms 119:11). You cannot claim to love God if you do not obey His commandments (John 14:15).

If we love God indeed, it will show in our obedience to His commandments which are not grievous, especially when compared to the weight and consequences of sin.

PRAYER POINT:

Lord, help me access the grace to obey Your commandments, in the mighty name of Jesus.

HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD.

1. When we walk with the Lord,

In the light of His word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

CHORUS:

Trust and obey!

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise,

Not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt nor a fear,

Not a sigh nor a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

CHORUS:

Trust and obey!

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,

Not a sorrow we share

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief nor a loss,

Nor a frown nor a cross,

But is blest if we trust and obey.

CHORUS:

Trust and obey!

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove

The delights of His love,

Until all on the altar we lay,

For the favour He shows

And the joy He bestows

Are for them who will trust and obey.

CHORUS:

Trust and obey!

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way,

What He says we will do,

Where He sends we will go,

Never fear, only trust and obey.

CHORUS:

Trust and obey!

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR MONDAY 14TH DECEMBER, 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: MONDAY 14TH DECEMBER, 2020.

THEME: WAIT ON THE LORD.

MEMORISE:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Psalms 40:1

READ: 1 SAMUEL 30:1-19 (KJV)

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.

9. So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.

10. But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.

11. And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;

12. And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins; and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him; for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.

13. And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.

14. We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.

15. And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.

16. And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

17. And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day; and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

18. And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away; and David rescued his two wives.

19. 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.

Click here to read previous open heaven daily devotional message by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

COLOSSIANS 1-4,

PHILEMON 1

MESSAGE:

Every believer should understand and practise waiting on the Lord. In our Bible reading for today, we see that during David’s travails and exile, his base was raided while he was away with his men. 

All their property, wives and children were raided without mercy. On arrival, they were overwhelmed with grief so much so that they wept.

Any other person would have automatically pursued the perpetrators of such an act immediately, but as we had noted in an earlier study, David sought the face of God for direction and waited on Him even though that did not seem like the smartest thing to do at the time.

The smartest and bravest move that would have been expected of valiant soldiers like David and his men would have been to ensure that they did not waste any further time in going after the enemy. 

Ordinarily, the more time they wasted, the slimmer their chances of ever catching up and recovering their loved ones and belongings.

David however, decided to wait patiently upon God and receive His instructions, approval and blessing before making any move.

The Bible records that upon getting God’s word on the matter, they swung into action. Verse 19 of the same chapter reads: 

“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.”

Your recovery in life, ministry, career and business might just be dependent on you waiting on the Lord for instructions before taking decisions. 

Waiting on the Lord includes prayer, fasting and usually, patience which is where most believers miss it. God is the all-in-all who knows the end from the beginning. There is no risk in waiting on the Lord.

As David found strength to recover all by waiting on the Lord, this season may you also find strength for exploits in the mighty name of Jesus.

As David pursued after his enemies and recovered all they had stolen, so will you recover every lost opportunity and blessing, in the mighty name of Jesus. 

Put God first always and wait patiently upon Him in every area of your life. He will never disappoint you.

ACTION POINT:

Wait on the Lord. You will surely testify, in the mighty name of Jesus.

HYMN 18: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Saviour divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

O let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire;

As Thou hast died for me,

O may my love to Thee

Pure, warm and changeless be

A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,

And grief around me spread,

Be Thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,

When death’s cold sullen stream

Shall o’er me roll;

Blest Saviour, then in love,

Fear and distrust remove;

O bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SUNDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2020.

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SUNDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2020.

THEME: THE GOD OF MIRACLES.

MEMORISE:

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. 2 Kings 6:5

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.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:   

ACTS 27-28

Click here to read the previous message by Pastor E.A Adeboye

MESSAGE:

A miracle happens when God suspends the law of nature in a particular situation. For example, Jesus suspended the law of gravity for a while so He could walk on water. 

It is often difficult to explain a miracle to unbelievers, because such occurrences defy natural understanding. 

The good news is that it does not matter what the world may say, my Daddy is the miracle-working God and when He steps into a matter, miracles happen.

It has been God’s nature from time immemorial to do miracles. The creation of Heaven and earth was a miracle. Every principle established on earth started as a miracle when first made. Before it became normal for the sun to shine, God first performed the miracle of creation. 

When Jesus (God the Son) came, He established Himself as a functional part of the Godhead by performing several novel miracles. As many as these miracles were, the book of John 21:25 says:

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

We will use our Bible reading as a typical example of a miracle. 

The sons of the prophets were carrying out a ministry building project when the axe head they borrowed fell into a deep river. The one from whose hands it fell cried out for help and got it in the most amazing fashion. 

Prophet Elisha threw a light log of wood into the river and a very heavy axe head floated in its place while the wood sank like a rock. 

God reverses principles He created; He controls everything! The principle of floatation was reversed and the sons of the prophets were saved from embarrassment.

Nothing is impossible for the God of miracles (Luke 1:37). Put all your trust in Him.

I decree and declare God’s miraculous intervention into every situation that wants to embarrass you, in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please intervene in my life and turn all impossibilities to possibilities, in the mighty name of Jesus.

HYMN 24: PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR.

1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

o Refrain:

Savior, Savior,

Hear my humble cry,

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

2. Let me at Thy throne of mercy

Find a sweet relief;

Kneeling there in deep contrition,

Help my unbelief.

3. Trusting only in Thy merit,

Would I seek Thy face;

Heal my wounded, broken spirit,

Save me by Thy grace.

4. Thou the spring of all my comfort,

More than life to me,

Whom have I on earth beside Thee,

Whom in Heav’n but Thee.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 12TH, DECEMBER 2020

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

DATE: SATURDAY 12TH, DECEMBER 2020

THEME: HONOUR YOUR PARENTS

MEMORISE:

“Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” – (Exodus 20:12)

READ: EPHESIANS 6:1-3 (KJV)

1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.

2. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

ACTS 24-26

CLICK HERE TO READ YESTERDAY'S OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

MESSAGE:

Today’s memory verse says that you must honour your parents if you do not want to die young. This is because of the law of harvest. 

Whatever you do to your parents, your children will do to you in future. If you honour your parent, you will live to become a parent and your children will honour you in return. 

The Bible says that God gets very upset at children who mistreat their parents.

“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.” - Proverbs 20:20

The above passage tells you that you should watch what you say to or about your parents, so that your light would not be put out in the day time. 

In other words, if all of a sudden, a child thinks that he/she is now of age and prosperous and need not have any regard for his/her parents anymore, not only would the child die suddenly, he/she would do so in such a manner as to make people wonder “How can this be?” 

I want to appeal to you if your parents are still alive, that you honour them, if you want to live long and enjoy the blessings of God.

This is the sole cause of the death of many young people these days, but because it cannot be scientifically proven, many people ignore it. 

Your parents, no matter how bad they may have been, are the ones chosen by God to bring you to this world. 

He knew how they would treat you before He allowed you come through them, and since we know that God does all things for our good, then our parents have a part to play in the fulfilment of our destiny. 

God brought you to this world through them, so the least you can do is to honour them. You may be saying “Oh, you don’t know what my parents have done to me; if you did, you wouldn’t be telling me to honour them.” 

Well, they may have been horrible to you, but you don’t have to extend the effect of what they did to you by dishonouring them. It is for your own good that you honour them because dishonouring them brings a curse. 

Forgive them for whatever they have done wrong and begin to honour them as from today. It is God’s will that you do so.

KEY POINT:

Dishonouring your parents is like committing suicide. Don’t kill yourself.

HYMN - WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD

1. When we walk with the Lord,

In the light of His word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

CHORUS:

Trust and obey!

For there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey. 

2. Not a shadow can rise,

Not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt nor a fear,

Not a sigh nor a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear,

Not a sorrow we share

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief nor a loss,

Nor a frown nor a cross,

But is blest if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove

The delights of His love,

Until all on the altar we lay,

For the favour He shows

And the joy He bestows

Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet,

Or we'll walk by His side in the way,

What He says we will do,

Where He sends we will go,

Never fear, only trust and obey.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRIDAY 11TH DECEMBER, 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: FRIDAY 11TH DECEMBER, 2020.

THEME: EARTH-SHAKING PRAYERS.

MEMORISE:

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31

Click Here Yesterday’s Open Devotional  by Pastor E.A Adeboye

READ: ACTS 4:23-31 (KJV)

23. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is;

25. Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26. The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

29. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings; and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30. By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

MESSAGE:

There are certain prayers that cause the earth to shake. Not prayers of “God give me this, God give me that”, though. I am talking about prayers of dedication, prayers like “Lord, my life is at Your disposal, do whatever You want with it. I lay my life on the altar and I become a living sacrifice to You today; Lord, use me for Your glory”.

When God begins to hear these kinds of prayers, He will come down. Acts 4:23-31 tells us that the disciples were praying and thereafter, some people told them not to preach the gospel again.

They gathered themselves together and said “Father, You hear what they are saying; over to You. All we ask is that You give us boldness, give us miracles, give us signs, so that we can preach more”. 

The Bible says the house shook. In 1979, my Father-in-the-Lord called me and four others to his room high up in Mayor Hotel in Tulsa, USA, saying “My children, I am going soon; the one who will be taking over from me is Pastor Adeboye”.

I collapsed on the floor and everybody began to pray. You can be sure that the prayers offered were not the gentlemanly kind; they were serious prayers. Suddenly, we heard a knock on the door.

On opening the door, we saw the maintenance manager of the hotel who asked what kind of musical instrument we were playing.

We explained that we were not playing any instrument, but he insisted that we had to have been playing one as the hotel was shaking and the source of the shaking had been traced to our room. 

We insisted that we were only praying, but he didn’t believe us, so he checked under the bed, the wardrobe and looked everywhere in the room then left when he didn’t find anything.

The hotel was locked down because they could not find the source of the shaking and they didn’t want to believe that it was just prayers. Recently, I went back there and as I looked at the hotel, I felt compassion on the owners, so I laid my hand on the wall and prayed a simple prayer. It was reopened six months after.

It is very clear that the great things happening in the RCCG today are a result of the prayers that fateful day in our hotel room in Tulsa. 

If you want the glory of God to come down into your life and transform everything for good, you need to start praying earth-shaking prayers. 

Pray for power to do Gods work, pray for boldness to preach in any situation, pray for a national revival in your country.

ACTION POINT:

Go ahead and pray some earth-shaking prayers now.

HYMN 26: STAND UP! STAND UP FOR JESUS.

1. Stand up! stand up for Jesus,

Ye soldiers of the Cross!

Lift high His royal banner;

It must not suffer loss.

From vict’ry unto vict’ry

His army shall He lead,

Till every foe is vanquished,

And Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up! stand up for Jesus,

The trumpet call obey;

Forth to the mighty conflict,

In this His glorious day;

Ye that are men now serve Him

Against unnumbered foes;

Let courage rise with danger,

And strength to strength oppose.

3. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

Stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you,

Ye dare not trust your own:

Put on the gospel armour,

And watching unto prayer;

Where duty calls, or danger,

Be never wanting there.

4. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

The strife will not be long;

This day the noise of battle,

The next the victor’s song;

To him that overcometh,

A crown of life shall be;

He with the King of glory

Shall reign eternally.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR THURSDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2020.

THEME: THE POWER OF FAITH.

MEMORISE:

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22

READ: MATTHEW 21:18-22

18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:   

ROMANS 14-16

MESSAGE:

There is tremendous power in faith. In Mark 9:23, Jesus Christ Himself said:

“... if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

When Jesus says “All things”, He really means all things. In Mark 5:36, when Jairus was told that his daughter had died, the Bible says:

“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.”

And before that day was over, the one who had died came back to life.

In Matthew 15:21-28, a woman came to Jesus praying. It appeared as though God was not even paying attention to her, but by the end of the day, Jesus said “Woman, great is thy faith”. In other words, he was saying that even if He had not wanted to grant her request, He would because of her great faith. 

There is so much power in faith that time and time again, Jesus told people “Thy faith has made thee whole” and they were whole. So it was not so much of His power healing them, but the power of their faith in God.

My Father-in-the-Lord once went to conduct a revival in our Church in Ilorin, and the Spirit of God moved him to say “If there is anyone here who is trusting God for the fruit of the womb, go and buy the appropriate clothes for the gender of the baby you want”. A woman heard and decide that she would do just that. When she got home, she bought a cot and baby boy clothes and displayed them where everybody could see. 

A lot of people began to laugh at her, saying she had gone mad out of her desperation to have a child. She ignored them, held on to the word of the man of God and nine months later, when the baby boy arrived, it was her turn to laugh. I want you to make your own move of faith now. Whatever it is you are trusting God for, make the move as if you have gotten it like that woman did. 

Since the Lord was gracious enough to hand over the anointing of my Father-in-the Lord to me when he was leaving the world, I call on that anointing now to work on your faith and make your desires come true according to the will of God, in the mighty name of Jesus.

KEY POINT:

Faith is so powerful that it can move a mountain and throw it into the sea.

HYMN 18: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

Oh, let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire!

As Thou hast died for me,

Oh, may my love to Thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be,

A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,

And griefs around me spread,

Be Thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,

When death’s cold, sullen stream

Shall o’er me roll;

Blest Savior, then in love,

Fear and distrust remove;

Oh, bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul!

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE FOR WEDNESDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2020.

THEME: THE SECOND DEATH.

MEMORISE:

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. Revelation 21:8

READ: REVELATION 20:14-15

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  

ROMANS 11-13

MESSAGE:

The second death is mentioned on multiple occasions in the book of Revelation and it is synonymous with the Lake of fire. It is a ‘death’ in that it is an eternal separation from God, the Giver of life. It is called the ‘second’ death because it follows the physical one. Our memory verse (Revelation 21:8) explains the second death in the most detail.

From this Bible verse, we see a detailed list of those who will experience the second death. Check to be sure that you don’t fit into this list, because the second death is an experience you should not want to be part of at all. Check carefully, and if there is any one of these qualities present in your life, repent immediately.

 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Revelation 2:11

The good news according to Revelation 2:11 is that no true believer will experience the second death. While the unbelievers are burning in the lake of fire, we will be in the presence of God rejoicing and praising Him forever. 

On which side do you want to be? If you want to be rejoicing in the presence of God forever, then you must overcome. You must overcome the devil and all his tricks; you must overcome the lusts of the flesh. The Bible tells us that no one will ever be tempted beyond what he or she can bear and that God will always make a way of escape for us (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

If you however say you cannot overcome the temptations facing you right now, then you are asking for the second death which comes with eternal sorrow, anguish and no way of escape. It is your choice.

REFLECTION:

If you don’t overcome and your name is not found in the book of life, you will be thrown into the lake of fire for eternity. Are you ready to give all it takes to overcome?

HYMN 18: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

Oh, let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire!

As Thou hast died for me,

Oh, may my love to Thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be,

A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,

And griefs around me spread,

Be Thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow’s tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,

When death’s cold, sullen stream

Shall o’er me roll;

Blest Savior, then in love,

Fear and distrust remove;

Oh, bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul!

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE FOR TUESDAY 8TH, DECEMBER 2020

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

DATE: TUESDAY 8TH, DECEMBER 2020

THEME: GREATNESS IS INFLUENCE

MEMORISE:

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” – (Philippians 2:9)

READ: PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11 (KJV)

9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name;

10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

ROMANS 8-10

MESSAGE:

When we talk about greatness, we are talking about influence. 

You cannot call a man great if he has all the money in the world but nobody likes or obeys him. 

My mother used to pray for me thus: 

“You will call one person and many people will respond”. 

She did not need to literally say that I would be great even though that is what the prayer meant; all she had to say was that I would be a man of influence and the greatness was sure. 

When the Bible was talking about the great woman of Shunem, it records that when the Prophet asked if she would want a recommendation to the king or the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, she replied that she did not need assistance in that regard (2 Kings 4:13). 

She was a woman of influence.

Since greatness is influence, then I’m sure you know that the one who is greater than the greatest is the Most Influential One. 

So, how great is our God? 

According to Philippians 2:9-11, our God has influence in heaven, influence on earth and influence underneath the earth. 

He also has influence over the wind and the sea. Mark 4:41 says the wind and the sea obey Him. 

He has influence over fire; He can turn the fiery furnace to an air-conditioned room.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” - Proverbs 21:1

The above passage says that God is so influential that He has complete control over the most influential people in the world. 

There is no area or person over whom our God does not have influence - none!

Now, when God wants to make someone great, what He does is to give the fellow some of His influence. 

We see that very well in the case of Jesus Christ. 

After Jesus had paid the price for the redemption of man, God’s reward to Him was influence. 

This tells us one thing: the way to true greatness is to please God. I can confidently say by God’s grace that I am a great man because I strive to please Him every day of my life. 

Do you want to be great? 

Surrender all to Jesus and He will endow you with His glory (John 17:20-22).

KEY POINT:

Seek true greatness.

HYMNAL: SING HYMN 12 

I AM THINE O LORD

1. I am Thine O Lord

I have heard Thy voice

And it told Thy love to me

But I long to rise in the arms of faith

And be closer drawn to Thee.

CHORUS:

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord

To Thy precious, bleeding side. 

2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord

By the pow'r of grace divine

Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope

And my will be lost in Thine.

3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour

That before Thy throne I spend

When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God

I commune as friend with friend.

4. There are depths of love that I cannot know

Till I cross the narrow sea

There are heights of joy that I may not reach

Till I rest in peace with Thee.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE FOR MONDAY 7TH DECEMBER, 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: MONDAY 7TH DECEMBER, 2020.

THEME: DIVINE PROSPERITY.

MEMORISE:

“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth.” 

Deuteronomy 28:1

READ: GENESIS 1:26-30 (KJV)

26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

29. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

30. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat; and it was so.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 

ROMANS 4-7

MESSAGE:

When God created the earth, He looked at it and saw that it was very good (Genesis 1:31).

Afterwards, He gave mankind dominion over all the resources. 

As a result, prosperity became the inheritance of every man.

Unfortunately, man lost these benefits after falling into sin. Thankfully, God raised a second Adam to reconcile man to Himself.

Beloved, as soon as you are reconciled to God by connecting to the second Adam – Jesus Christ, whatever God has will become yours. 

Related Article: Open Heaven Daily Devotional For Sunday 6th December 2020

What does God have? He owns the cattle upon a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10), so you should not lack food. Among other things, gold and silver also belong to Him (Haggai 2:8).

Being God’s child means you have a mansion in the most beautiful estate ever, where the ground is paved with gold. Isn’t that wonderful? 

“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish his covenant which He sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18

If we would enjoy divine prosperity, we must not forget God because it is only through His power we can get wealth. This means if someone does not have enough power to get wealth, most likely, such a person has forgotten God.

Have you forgotten God? How is your relationship with Him? When last did you praise and worship Him alone without making requests? When last did you study your Bible all by yourself?

Those who have not forgotten God obey His every word, so He gives them everything they ask for.

Job 36:11 says:

“If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.” Seek God first. Prosperity will follow (Matthew 6:33).

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

REFLECTION:

If you want to prosper, stay close to God.

HYMN 28: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

1. There shall be showers of blessing:

This is the promise of love;

There shall be season refreshing,

Sent from the Saviour above.

CHORUS:

Showers of blessing,

Showers of blessing we need;

Mercy drops round us are falling,

But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing:

Precious reviving again;

Over the hills and the valleys,

Sound of abundance of rain.

CHORUS:

Showers of blessing,

Showers of blessing we need;

Mercy drops round us are falling,

But for the showers we plead.

3. There shall be showers of blessing;

Send them upon us, Oh Lord!

Grant to us now a refreshing;

Come and now honour Thy Word.

CHORUS:

Showers of blessing,

Showers of blessing we need;

Mercy drops round us are falling,

But for the showers we plead.

4. There shall be showers of blessing;

Oh, that today they might fall,

Now, as to God, we’re confessing,

Now as on Jesus we call!

CHORUS:

Showers of blessing,

Showers of blessing we need;

Mercy drops round us are falling,

But for the showers we plead.

5. There shall be showers of blessing,

If we but trust and obey;

There shall be seasons refreshing,

If we let God have His way.

CHORUS:

Showers of blessing,

Showers of blessing we need;

Mercy drops round us are falling,

But for the showers we plead.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER, 2020.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

DATE: SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER, 2020.

THEME: GOD BLESS YOU.

MEMORISE:

“The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.”  Deuteronomy 28:12

READ: GENESIS 27:27-29 (KJV)

27. And he came near, and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed;

28. Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine;

29. Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee; be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee; cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

2 CORINTHIANS 10-13

MESSAGE:

Our topic for today is the best prayer anyone can say for you. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the full meaning of the prayer. What is a blessing? A blessing is an addition of good things after basic needs have been met.

For example, Matthew 5:45 says our God causes the sun to rise over the good as well as the evil, and He causes the rain to fall on the wicked and on the righteous

In other words, there are certain basic needs that God will supply whether you are good or bad. But when God wants to bless, He does not bless the wicked. He adds good things to those that He wants to bless.

A blessing can also be likened to a benefit. People in paid employment typically get a basic salary, but in addition, some get fringe benefits; these fringe benefits are actually the blessings. It is these benefits that David was talking of in Psalm 68:19:

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”

The Lord will load you with fringe benefits today in the mighty name of Jesus.

To bless is also to summon all the good forces – angels, heavens, earth, rain, soil and so on, together for an individual’s assistance.

When you bless someone, you are telling all the forces to come together and assist the fellow to succeed. Isaacs blessing to Jacob in Genesis 27:28-29 is a good example to explain this with. It says:

“Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.”

So when someone says “God bless you”, it means that whatever you decide to do, everything in heaven and on earth will work to ensure that you succeed. 

It means that every force, both in heaven and on earth will cooperate with you to ensure that you reach your goal. 

Now, I use the authority vested in me by the Almighty God to pray for anyone reading this today: God bless you!

ACTION POINT:

Obey the commandments and will of God at all times and His blessings shall abound upon you (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).

HYMN 4: BLESSED ASSURANCE, JESUS IS MINE!

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

CHORUS:

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long.

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight,

Angels descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

CHORUS:

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long.

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Saviour am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Fill’d with His goodness, lost in His love.

CHORUS:

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRIDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2020

 OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: FRIDAY 4TH DECEMBER, 2020.

THEME: DON’T BE DESPERATE ABOUT MARRIAGE.

MEMORISE:

“Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.” Judges 14:3

READ: GENESIS 29:20-28, &

GENESIS 31:30-35 (KJV)

GENESIS 29:20-28

20. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

21. And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

22. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23. And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

24. And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.

25. And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah; and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

26. And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

27. Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

28. And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week; and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

GENESIS 31:30-35

30. And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

31. And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid; for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.

32. With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live; before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

33. And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.

34. Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.

35. And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched but found not the images.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

2 CORINTHIANS 5-9

MESSAGE:

So many people are having problems in their marriages today because they were so desperate for marriage that they ended up marrying a devil. 

Jacob was so desperate to marry Rachel that he did not study her character well enough to see her strong commitment to idols, and more importantly, he did not ask God to choose for him as had been the custom in his family (Genesis 24:12-14).

I am writing this today because I don't want you to fall victim of the same error if you are still single. You need God to enable you to find the right partner.

In Proverbs 18:22, the Bible says:

“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”

The Bible verse above implies that not just any woman would make a wife.

For every one of our single brothers: may you find a wife-one who would move you forward and be a help meet indeed, in the mighty name of Jesus. 

I know a case of two people who were both desperate to get married. They came across each other and soon got married.

From the first week of their marriage they became like cats and dogs.

I pray for anyone trusting God for a future partner that you will find favour with God and know His will. A sister should not agree to a marriage proposal just because she feels age is no longer on her side.

Only a man who is God-fearing and can love her as Christ loves the Church is worthy of a sisters hand in marriage.

The thing about marriage is that once you are in it, you cannot change your mind as God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16).

Brother/Sister, you need to be very sure that God is leading you into that marriage before you exchange those marital vows. 

Do not marry someone for the sake of getting married. It is better to wait on God for the right person than to settle for just anyone because of societal pressures.

A lot of Christians who committed that error would tell you it is a grievous mistake to make. 

An error in selecting a life partner could ruin a destiny.  The Bible says If the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalms 11:3) A word is enough for the wise.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, whatever You must do, do it so that I don’t get into the wrong marriage in the mighty name of Jesus.

HYMN 20: NEARER, MY GOD TO THEE.

1. Nearer, my God to Thee,

Nearer to Thee;

E’en though it be a cross

That raiseth me,

Still all my song shall be,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, (2ce)

Nearer to Thee!

2. Though, like the wanderer,

The sun gone down,

Darkness be over me,

My rest a stone,

Yet in my dreams I’d be

Nearer, my God, to Thee, (2ce)

Nearer to Thee!

3. There let the way appear

Steps unto heaven;

All that Thou send’st to me

In mercy given;

Angels to beckon me

Nearer, my God, to Thee, (2ce)

Nearer to Thee!

4. Then with my waking thoughts

Bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs

Bethel I’ll raise;

So by my woes to be

Nearer, my God, to Thee, (2ce)

Nearer to Thee!

5. Or if on joyful wing

Cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot,

Upward I fly,

Still all my song shall be,

Nearer, my God, to Thee, (2ce)

Nearer to Thee!

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR THURSDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2020

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2020.

THEME: EVERYONE HAS ENEMIES.

MEMORISE:

But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.  Exodus 23:22

READ:  PSALM 7:1-11

1O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me

2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

3 O LORD my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.

8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  

2 CORINTHIANS 1-4

MESSAGE:

It is always funny to me when I meet people who think they do not have enemies. As long as you are alive, you have enemies. If you think because you have nothing for anyone to envy, you don’t have enemies, it means you have not yet read Proverbs 14:20 which says that the poor is hated by his own neighbor. 

If because you are rich and successful, you think that you have no enemies, you must be joking. Many years ago, one first-class chief invited me to his palace and he said “I don’t know why I have so many enemies; can you help me?” 

I responded “Your majesty, everybody wants to be number one”. Only a few people pray for the person who is in the number one position. Thank God because while the enemies are plotting at night, you have a God who never sleeps nor slumbers watching over you.

Even though you have enemies, I don’t want you to worry about them because your God is bigger than them all put together. Psalm 23:5, David said:

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

God prepares your table not behind, but in the presence, of your enemies. The enemies were there, they were alive, but God paralyzed them. They could not come near David. This is because David knew how to use the most potent weapon against enemies- praise to God. 

The Bible says in Psalm 68:1:

“Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.”

How do you make God arise? Through praise and worship. Psalm 22:3 says He inhabits the praises of His people. In other words, when one of His children is praising Him, He will get up to stay with the fellow. 

As He is rising, all the enemies of that fellow will scatter. That is why I don’t lead people in prayers to bind demons before every service. Instead, I say “Let somebody shout Halleluyah”. 

The moment God hears us shouting Halleluyah, He arises to come to our midst and all our enemies scatter. In 2 Chronicles 20:21-22, when three great enemies came against Jehoshaphat, all he and his people had to do was to praise God and the enemies helped kill one another.

KEY POINT:

Everyone has enemies, but the enemies of those who praise God are powerless.

HYMN 19: MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS.

1. My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

O Refrain:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

3. His oath, His covenant, His blood

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 

THEME: DIVINE FAVOUR

MEMORISE:

“The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:” – (Numbers 6:25)

READ: NUMBERS 6:22-26 (KJV)

22. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

23. Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,

24. The LORD bless thee, and keep thee;

25. The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;

26. The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

1 CORINTHIANS 15-16

MESSAGE:

What is favour? The Yorubas describe it aptly as ‘a good face’. That means there are two kinds of faces – a bad face and a good one. 

I am sure you know that when a person is angry, no matter how beautiful or handsome, he/she will begin to look like an angry lion. Everything changes – the nostrils flare, the lips thin out and the whole face generally turns bad. 

But when people who are ordinarily not considered good-looking smile, somehow their beauty will come out. 

In Numbers 6:24-26, the Almighty God said that whenever His priests want to bless the people, they should speak thus:

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

When God lifts His eyes in your community, sees you and smiles, that is what is called favour. The Almighty God is going to smile on you today in the mighty name of Jesus.

Now, if you find favour with God, what can you expect? Somebody once said that a single encounter with divine favour is worth more than a lifetime of labour. 

In Luke 5:1-7, Peter fished all night and caught nothing, but just one sentence from God changed everything. You may have been struggling for so long with nothing to show for it; you will find favour with God today in the mighty name of Jesus. 

Romans 9:16 says:

“So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”

This passage tells us that the height you get to in life is only determined by the favour of God. Nobody can go higher than the favour of God permits.

God’s favour gives life. Psalm 30:5 says:

“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Favour singles you out for special attention. The man at the pool of Bethesda was singled out for a miracle (John 5:5-8). I pray God will favour you today and single you out for great miracles in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, smile on me today!

HYMNAL:

HYMN 24 – PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOUR

1. Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

CHORUS

Saviour, Saviour,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

2. Let me, at Thy throne of mercy

Find a sweet relief;

Kneeling there in deep contrition,

Help my unbelief.

3. Trusting only in Thy merit

Would I seek Thy face

Heal my wounded, broken spirit,

Save me by Thy grace.

4. Thou, the spring of all my comfort,

More than life to me.

Whom have I on earth beside Thee?

Whom in heaven but Thee?

Open Heaven 2nd December 2020 Daily Devotional Message was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TUESDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2020

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

DATE: TUESDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2020 

THEME: COMMIT YOUR PLANS TO GOD

MEMORISE:

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” – (Proverbs 16:9)

READ: PROVERBS 19:20-21 (KJV)

20. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

1 CORINTHIANS 12-14

MESSAGE:

It is not wise to start planning for something when you are already in it. 

Some people plan their year in the beginning of the year; no wonder they hardly achieve anything meaningful in that year. 

You cannot begin to plan for a battle when you are already in the midst of it. 

Have you ever seen someone planning their wedding on the wedding day? Or begin to study for an examination in the exam hall when question papers are already being distributed? 

Why then do you wait until the new year before you begin to plan for it?

Now, if I were to ask to see your plan for the year 2021, would you have something to show me? 

Note that I said show me and not tell me, because I believe that any serious Christian will live by Habakkuk 2:2 which says:

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”

If you would not have anything to show me, then you need to go to the drawing board and do a proper plan for the year 2021.

Having established the need for you to plan ahead of the new year, it is important that you commit those plans to the hands of God. 

Before you were formed in your mother’s womb, God had a plan and agenda for your life. 

It does not matter how meticulous your plan is, if it is not in line with His agenda for you, you may end up struggling to get your footing in the new year. 

Let Him know that all you care about is that His will is done and nothing else. 

Tell Him, just like our memory verse says, that you may have planned your way, but you need Him to direct your steps. 

God is not responsible for whatever is not committed to His hands; if you say you know exactly what you want to do in the new year and you don’t need His help, He will simply stand back and watch. 

But if you call on Him to direct your footsteps, He will take you to greater heights and help you far beyond your imaginations.

KEY POINT:

In year 2021, put God’s will above yours, always.

HYMNAL:

HYMN 5 – DEEPER, DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS

Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus

Daily let me go;

Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

CHORUS:

O deeper yet I pray,

And higher ev’ry day,

And wiser, blessed, Lord,

In Thy precious, holy word.

2. Deeper, deeper! blessed Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still,

Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus

And His perfect will.

3. Deeper, deeper! tho’ it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,

Let me fruitful grow.

4. Deeper, higher ev’ry day in Jesus,

Till all conflict past,

Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image

Perfected at last.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR MONDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2020

 OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

DATE: MONDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2020

THEME: PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

MEMORISE:

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

READ: PSALMS 136:1-26 (KJV)

1. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

2. O give thanks unto the God of gods; for his mercy endureth for ever.

3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his mercy endureth for ever.

4. To him who alone doeth great wonders; for his mercy endureth for ever.

5. To him that by wisdom made the heavens; for his mercy endureth for ever.

6. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters; for his mercy endureth for ever.

7. To him that made great lights; for his mercy endureth for ever;

8. The sun to rule by day; for his mercy endureth for ever;

9. The moon and stars to rule by night; for his mercy endureth for ever.

10. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn; for his mercy endureth for ever;

11. And brought out Israel from among them; for his mercy endureth for ever;

12. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm; for his mercy endureth for ever.

13. To him which divided the Red sea into parts; for his mercy endureth for ever;

14. And made Israel to pass through the midst of it; for his mercy endureth for ever;

15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea; for his mercy endureth for ever.

16. To him which led his people through the wilderness; for his mercy endureth for ever.

17. To him which smote great kings; for his mercy endureth for ever;

18. And slew famous kings; for his mercy endureth for ever;

19. Sihon king of the Amorites; for his mercy endureth for ever;

20. And Og the king of Bashan; for his mercy endureth for ever;

21. And gave their land for an heritage; for his mercy endureth for ever;

22. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant; for his mercy endureth for ever.

23. Who remembered us in our low estate; for his mercy endureth for ever;

24. And hath redeemed us from our enemies; for his mercy endureth for ever.

25. Who giveth food to all flesh; for his mercy endureth for ever.

26. O give thanks unto the God of heaven; for his mercy endureth for ever.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

1 CORINTHIANS 9-11

PRAYERS:

1. Thank God for the salvation of your soul.

2. Thank God for your life. Thank Him for preserving your life. You are not better than those you started this year with but are no more.

3. Praise God for His grace that has brought you this far in life.

4. Thank God for victory over known and unknown enemies.

5. Thank God for your health. Thank Him because His stripes have healed you.

6. Thank God for His provision. Thank Him because He provides for you even when it seems all hope is lost.

7. Thank God for journey mercies every day.

8. Thank God for all your relatives, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

9. Thank God for your place of work, business or school.

10. Thank God for the Body of Christ and for the privilege to be a part of the Church.

11. Praise God in advance for all that He is set to do in your life.

12. Count your blessings, name them one by one and thank Him from the bottom of your heart.

I join my faith with yours and pray that the Lord will accept your thanksgiving, in the mighty name of Jesus.

ACTION POINT:

Make today a special thanksgiving day unto God. He will surely reward you for it.

Related Articles:

Rsapsody of Reality for November 30, 2020

Daily Hope with Rich Warren November 29, 2020

Seeds of Destiny Devotional for November 30, 2020

DCLM Daily Manna by Pastor W.F Kumuyi for November 30, 2020

Joel Osteen Devotional for November 29, 2020

MFM Daily Devotional by Dr D.K Olukoya for November 30, 2020

HYMNAL:

HYMN 16 – LET US WITH A GLADSOME MIND

1. Let us with a gladsome mind

Praise the Lord for He is kind.

For His mercies aye endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

2. He, with all-commanding might,

Filled the new-made world with light.

For His mercies aye endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

3. All things living He doth feed,

His full hand supplies their need;

For His mercies aye endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

4. He is chosen race did bless

In the wasteful wilderness;

For His mercies aye endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

5. Let us then with gladsome mind,

Praise the Lord, for He is kind;

For His mercies aye endure,

Ever faithful, ever sure.

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR 29TH NOVEMBER 2020

OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

DATE: SUNDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2020 

THEME: BE A DOER OF THE WORD

MEMORISE:

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” – (James 1:22)

READ: JAMES 1:21-25 (KJV)

21. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass;

24. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

1 CORINTHIANS 5-8

MESSAGE:

Life, like a coin, has two sides. You are either stingy or generous, proud or humble, hardworking or lazy. 

In the same vein, you are either a mere hearer of the word of God or a doer. 

A hearer is one who listens to the word of God with rapt attention only to later forget and revert to his/her normal way of doing things. He/she may even have resolved to change during the course of the teaching; however, the hearer would not change because he/she would not make a conscious effort to initiate the change process.

READ ALSO:➡️ RCCG FASTING AND PRAYER GUIDE FOR NOVEMBER 28, 2020: DAY 26

With every word which convicts your heart, you must make the change immediately, or else you would be a mere hearer of the word. 

Don’t begin to analyse it; just make the change. In the process of analysing, you will give the devil the opportunity to suggest why you should not make that necessary change. 

If after listening to a sermon, you realise the need to repent from committing adultery, you must immediately break the evil relationships that make you open to the sin, before you even think about it.

Send a message to your partner in sin and delete his/her contact immediately. If you delay, the devil would tell you how hurt the person would feel; he would also remind you of the sinful pleasures that you would be missing. 

At the end of the day, if you entertain the thoughts of the devil, you may eventually return to adultery and end up in hell. John 15:14 says: 

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

Once I hear a word that touches me, I act on it immediately without hesitation. When I heard that worldly music invites evil spirits into the home, I immediately destroyed everything connected to worldly music in my home. 

I did not even look at any of the cassettes for the fear of seeing one or two that might make me reconsider my resolve. I acted on the word immediately and became better afterwards.

Your mind is a battlefield; if you give the enemy the opportunity to restrategise, you could eventually lose the fight.

RELATED ARTICLE: OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR 28 NOVEMBER 2020

KEY POINT:

Delay may be dangerous. When God’s word convicts you, act on it immediately.