Open Heavens Devotional - PROVISION BEFORE NEED

Open Heavens 31 July 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Provision Before Need

PROVISION BEFORE NEED – Monday July 31st 2017

Memorise: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2nd Peter 1:3

Read: 2nd Peter 1:1-4 (KJV)
1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Bible in one year: 1st King 9-10, Ezekiel 18:1-18, Hymn: Sing hymn 10
MESSAGE:

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

From the above passage of Scripture, one great benefit available to those who have God as their Refuge is that the help or assistance they need will never be late. There are at least three different times an individual can receive assistance. It could be before, during or after one experiences a need. If a need or an emergency arises today and you already have the wherewithal to meet that need, maybe from your earnings from paid employment or a business venture, you have already received help before that need arose. This is a great place to be in! Some families already have all they will ever need to take care of their children and pay their way up to post-graduate degree programmes, even before this need arises. Such people will never panic for school fees. This is an example of provision before need, and it describes a state of living in abundance. You will experience such in Jesus’ Name!

Moreover, do you know that God follows this same pattern in dealing with His children? For example, before God created Adam and Eve, all they would ever need had been provided for in the Garden of Eden which God Himself planted. God knows exactly what you need even before you express or voice out your request (Matthew 6:32). Do you know that God has already provided all you would ever need to live a victorious Christian life and fulfil your God-given destiny? The Holy Spirit speaks about this to us in 2nd Peter 1:3, where He says:

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

It is therefore possible for you to be a beneficiary of provision before need. However, one major challenge for most people with regards to this benefit is that when there is provision to meet their future needs, they become careless, frivolous and wasteful. When God provides ahead of time, it is possible to spend it on other things outside of God’s purpose. You therefore need divine guidance even in plenty. Having abundance does not justify wastefulness in God’s Kingdom. However, to partake of this great benefit, you need to increase your knowledge of the Provider, walk in obedience to Him, follow spiritual financial principles and wait on His directives always.

Prayer Point:
What some people waste daily is more than enough to feed several needy, hungry people. To trigger blessings from the Lord, such excess should be spent on meeting the needs of others.

Open Heavens Devotional - HELP FROM ABOVE

Open Heavens 29 July 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Help From Above

HELP FROM ABOVE – Saturday July 29th 2017

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

Read: Psalm 121:1-4 (KJV)
121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
 121:2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Bible in one year: 1st Kings 7, Ezekiel 16:59-17:10, Hymn: Sing hymn 4

MESSAGE:
The reason why many people pray without getting answers is because their prayers are actually directed to men instead of God. Today, many people seeking for jobs, contracts, spouses or admission into academic institutions prefer to ask for help from those they believe can assist them instead of going to the true source of help: God. The truth about receiving help from man is that men are most unreliable, limited in resources and ability and can be swayed by situations and circumstances. Where do you channel your requests to?

In 2nd Kings 6:26, a woman in dire need cried to the king for help, and the king responded to her cry with these words:

“….If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? Out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?”
2nd Kings 6:27

This king recognised that God is the true source of help we all need. No wonder David, in today’s Bible reading, said that he would look up to the source of his help: God.  Who is your helper? To whom do you turn or run for help in time of need? God is the true Helper because He is the All-Sufficient God. He is the creator and owner of the earth and everything in it (Psalm 24:1). He has all the ability, knowledge and power, and so He can do anything, answer any question and solve all problems. Ecclesiastes 5:8 says He is higher than everyone and everything, and so He is above all. Psalm 91:1 calls Him the Most High. He is also the most influential, because the mention of His Name compels everything and everyone else to bow to Him (Philippians 2:9-11). He is so powerful that with just a simple statement, the toughest of requests is granted (Psalm 33:8-9). His word is final on any issue; hence, you do not need to accept any negative verdict from any other source (Lamentations 3:37). He stands as the Universal Judge who can upturn any judgement as He pleases in favour of those He loves. It is a great privilege to have access to this God, table requests before Him and receive answers to our requests. If you find it difficult to make your requests known to God, it is obvious that you do not know Him, or you are proud. From now on, make it a habit to praise and worship Him and thereafter make your requests known to the true Helper (Philippians 4:6). He will help you today.

Action Point
Spend an hour thanking God for how He has helped you thus far, and then ask for His help on every difficult situation you are confronted with.

Open Heavens Devotional - SITUATION-DEPENDENT SERVICE

Open Heavens 28 July 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Situation-Dependent Service

SITUATION-DEPENDENT SERVICE – Friday July 28th 2017

Memorise: And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Daniel 6:20

Read: Daniel 6:18-23 (KJV)
6:18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

6:19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

6:21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

6:23 Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

Bible in one year: 1st King 5-6, Ezekiel 16:44-58, Hymn: Sing hymn 14

MESSAGE:
If your desire to see exploits from the Almighty God, you must know Him personally and believe that He is alive. Unfortunately, when some believers are going through very tough times, you will think that their God is dead. They lose their trust in God, just because they could not feel Him doing anything about their case while putting their trust in Him. Some of such people will no longer confess Him before men because they are afraid He might disappoint them. Hebrews 11:6 says that if you want anything at all from God, you must believe that He is alive and well. You must believe that He continues to exist and that He is in control.  No matter how bad your situation may appear, God is still alive and He is in charge. Nothing happens in your life without His knowledge.

After Daniel was set up by some fellow leaders in the Government of King Darius, He was thrown into the lion’s den. What the king said to him while he was in the lion’s den is very instructive:

“And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”
Daniel 6:20

In other words, this king recognised that the God of Daniel was the living God. Do people know your God as the living God? Also, King Darius observed the quality of worship Daniel offered to his God. Daniel not only served God in the times of plenty, blessings and answered prayers, but also in the times of persecution and unanswered prayers. If you truly want to see exploits, you must be ready to serve God continuously. Do you know that many people allow situations and circumstances to affect or determine when they serve God? Some people decide to down tools in God’s house just because a particular pending request has not been granted. Some even “threaten” God that if He doesn’t answer their prayer, they will stop pastoring, winning souls or doing some specific assignment that God has given to them. Can you truly threaten God? Is you love for God dependent on your situation in life? If you have downed tools in God’s service, repent and get back to doing the work that God gave to you!

Key Point:
Although God can deliver His children from any unpleasant situation, He reserves the right to decide whether and when to deliver them or not, depending on what He wants to achieve from that particular situation.

Open Heavens Devotional - ACCESS DIVINE COUNSEL

Open Heavens 26 July 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Access Divine Counsel

ACCESS DIVINE COUNSEL – Wednesday July 26th 2017

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

Read: John 17:15-17 (KJV)
17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Bible in one year: 1st King 2, Ezekiel 16:6-22, Hymn: Sing hymn 15

MESSAGE:
Access to divine guidance is one yardstick you can use to determine whether you are a sheep in the fold of Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd. This is very central to our walk with God, as it determines the status of our relationship with Christ. Amassing years in the faith is not as important as increasing the frequency of receiving divine guidance. This means that if you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour some 5, 10, 20 or more years ago, but still cannot easily be led by the Spirit of God on various matters, you are hardly growing spiritually. Romans 8:14 says,

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

A close walk with the Holy Spirit is the bedrock for receiving divine guidance. In John 16:13, Jesus clearly stated one major reason why the Holy Spirit was sent to the world.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and so it falls within the purview of His duties to guide you along the path of truth. If you have a knotty issue that cannot be unravelled, simply go to the Holy Spirit, and He will guide you aright. He operates in the realm of truth and not necessarily facts. Some people equate facts with truth but that is not often the case. Just as lies are a distortion of the facts, facts can sometimes be contrary to truth. Facts are observations that have been subjected to interpretations based on current knowledge, and because knowledge changes, facts can also change.

What then is truth? The Lord Jesus Christ answers this question in John 17:17:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

The word of God is truth. Also, the Godhead is an embodiment of truth. In fact, Jesus in John 14:6 declared:
…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Truth is based on faith. If you will receive divine guidance, you must be prepared to walk in God’s path of truth. The truth is ever constant. God wants His children to walk with the truth and not necessarily by facts. When a child of God is ill for example, the fact is that there are physical signs and manifestations of the ailment on that individual, but the truth is that Jesus has already paid the price of the healing of every child of God. For this reason, the Bible says we walk by faith (truth) and not by sight (facts) (2nd Corinthians 5:7). This means, you must be a person of faith. You must live by the truth and not contradict God’s word by your lifestyle. Also, you cannot be telling lies and expect the truth of God to be revealed to you. Choose to live by truth today.

Key Point
A liar cannot receive a revelation of the Truth until he or she is ready to dump falsehood.

Open Heavens Devotional - LIVING IN FEAR?

Open Heavens 24 July 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Living in Fear?

LIVING IN FEAR? – Monday July 24th 2017

Memorise: There is no fear in love; but perfect love caseteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fearth is not made perfect in love. 1st John 4:18

Read: 1st John 4:17-18 (KJV)

4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 23-24, Ezekiel 14:12-23, Hymn: Sing hymn 9

MESSAGE:
If you have God as your Refuge, you have a priceless treasure because this gives you access to help in times a trouble. With God as your Refuge, irrespective of what is happening around you, you have no cause to panic. As unlikely as this may sound, it is possible to be under God’s cover and be unaffected by every satanic missile flying around both day and night (Psalm 91:5-6). Due to negative influences from their environment, some people have grown up with a particular phobia for the last quarter of the year. Between January and August, they go about their normal business activities with boldness, but as the month of September approaches, fear envelopes their hearts. As they read or hear of various accidents happening here and there, their fear is heightened.  Some people allow this condition to degenerate to the extent that fear redefines all their remaining activities for the year. They may have to cancel all their air travel for fear of air crush. Even their road trips would be seriously reduced for fear of road accidents. They try as much as possible to confine themselves to their houses and will therefore give all kinds of excuses for not accepting any assignment or invitation during that period. Such people are just being manipulated by fear!

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth our fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
1st John 4:18

If you live in fear, you are in Satan’s bondage (Hebrews 2:15). Your love for God and fellow brethren cannot be perfect if you still create room for fear. When you live in fear, you give the devil so much attention, thereby empowering him over your life and destiny. Whatever or whoever you fear controls you. Luke 1:74 says we were saved to serve God without fear. Open Heavens 24 July 2017.  So if you say you are born again but you still live in fear, you need to know who you are serving, because you should not live in fear of anything while serving God. You cannot have the fear of God in your heart and the fear of the devil at the same time. The moment you begin to fear the devil or his agents, you drift into bondage. If you are sure of your salvation but still live in fear, check yourself; it is likely you are ignorant of who you are in Christ. Also, as a child of God, when you engage in disobedience or harbour a secret sin in your heart, you lose your confidence and fear sets in. if this is your case, repent of your sin and fully turn to God!

 Action Point:
If your heart is always filled with fear, invest time to study who you are in Christ from the book of Ephesians.

Open Heavens Devotional - DANGERS OF FINANCIAL STORMS I

Open Heavens 23 July 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Dangers of Financial Storms I

DANGERS OF FINANCIAL STORMS I – Sunday July 23rd 2017

Memorise: The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. Proverbs 14:20

Read: Proverbs 14:20-22 (KJV)
14:20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

14:22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 21:22, Ezekiel 13:20-14:11, Hymn: Sing hymn 4
MESSAGE:
Peace is desirable because it signifies everything that is calm, quite and in order. On the other hand, storms are undesirable because they bring turbulence, trouble, fear and absence of rest. While all storms are bad, a financial storm is one of the worst storms that can hit the foundation of an individual, family or community. One reason why financial storms are more deadly is because they can trigger off other storms. For instance, Proverbs 14:20 says,

“The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.”

This means that because of the poverty of the poor, many of his neighbours prefer to avoid him. Some would even develop hatred for him just for that reason. This describes the attitude of many unsaved people to their poor neighbours.  It is most unfortunate that some believers also follow this evil trend. This has led to the formation of cliques and factions in places where there should be unity and togetherness. Psalm 10:2 says that only a wicked and proud fellow would subject the poor to such treatment. Some Church leaders cannot stand seeing those who are not well-to-do. As a result, they discriminate against them, using every excuse in the book. They appoint only those who are rich into positions, even when they know that the poor are more ideal for such positions. If you are involved in such discriminatory practices, remember Psalm 12:5 which says that when the poor cry out to God, He will arise on their behalf against their oppressors.

Are you hated by your neighbours because of the financial storms you are confronted with? Fear not! According to Psalm 69:33, the Lord will hear your cry today and bring you out of poverty and reproach. Moreover, financial storms can make an individual contemplate suicide. In 1st King 17:12, due to the financial storms that the widow of Zarephath was going through with her son, she decided that they should just take their last meal and afterwards die. Have you found yourself in a similar situation where you are contemplating or have even attempted suicide? Stop right there! Suicide can never solve your problems. It is worse than going from frying pan into fire. See your pastor, tell him your situation and see what he can do to help. However, more importantly, call on the Lord to deliver you from the challenges you are confronted with. I rebuke every spirit of death suggesting suicide to you right now! I pray that hope be restored in your heart right now in Jesus’ Name.

Action Point
If your financial storm is so bad that you feel seriously pressured to commit suicide, just know that your turnaround is truly around you. Don’t ever quit, and don’t kill yourself!

Open Heavens Devotional - MISDIRECTED REQUESTS

Open Heavens 22 July 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Misdirected Requests

MISDIRECTED REQUESTS – Saturday July 22nd 2017

Memorise: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. James 4:3

Read: Genesis 30:1-2 (KJV)
30:1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
 30:2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 19-20, Ezekiel 13:8-19, Hymn: Sing hymn 2

MESSAGE:
In Matthew 6:9-13, the Lord taught His disciples the right way to pray. Prayer is an outcry for assistance. It summons your ally to join forces with you in your fight against your foes in order to be victorious. Usually, when an individual encounters a problem too big to handle, he will call for the help of others. In the midst of a famine, when Elijah went to ask for water and food from the widow of Zarephath, he was simply praying (1st King 17:8-16). Also, when this widow’s son died and she cried to the man of God to restore him back to life, that was a prayer (1st Kings 17:17-23). Furthermore, when Rachel asked Jacob to give her children, she was praying (Genesis 30:1). In 2nd Kings 6:25-29, we see a woman praying to the king for help in enforcing her agreement to feed on another woman’s son after her own son had been devoured. From all these cases, it can be established that prayer can be made to individuals, kings, men of God and ultimately, to God Himself. People also pray to the devil and his agents, when they go to them for help. There are some believers who go to their villages to cry to their unsaved parents for help over a nagging issue. Such parents are compelled to consult their oracles and apply charms in resolving these issues. When this occurs, that believer has been brought into covenant with the idols consulted, thereby giving the demonic spirits behind such idols the right to manipulate their lives.  Be very careful who you run to for help!

When Rachel asked Jacob to give her children in Genesis 30:1, Jacob got angry. Rachel even threatened to commit suicide if she did not have children. Her husband’s response in Genesis 30:2b says it all:

“Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?”

She was directing her right request to the wrong quarters. What she was asking was beyond his ability. Many times, we pray to the wrong person or send our desires to those who cannot truly help us. The Bible in Psalm 60:11 says,

“Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.”

Are you channelling your request to men instead of God? Stop doing so today! God is the only one with all the resources to meet all your needs; therefore, it is wise to direct your entire requests and cries to Him alone. As you do so, He will hear you.
Prayer Point
Father, visit all the widows in my local church; meet their needs and that of their children. Also, keep them pure and ready for your coming.

Open HEAVENS Devotional - DO AFFLICTIONS SWALLOW YOUR GOD?

Open Heavens 21 July 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Do Afflictions Swallow Your God?

DO AFFLICTIONS SWALLOW YOUR GOD? – Friday July 21st 2017

Memorise: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 19:25

Read: Job 19:23-27 (KJV)
19:23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!

 19:24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!

19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 17:18, Ezekiel 12:21-13:7, Hymn: Sing hymn 1

 MESSAGE:
Prophecies are great tools that God uses to intervene in the situations His people’s lives. Every prophecy has certain conditions attached to it to trigger its actualisation. Knowing this truth, one particular year, when the Almighty God said that there would be an overflow in that year, I immediately realised that there was some work to be done. When He then asked us to fast for 100 days, I was not surprised. Understanding such a task was not an easy one, but obedience to it produced a great harvest in joy, overflowing blessings and much more. This is your season of overflow of God’s blessings in Jesus’ Name!

In 1st King 17:8-16, when Elijah asked the widow of Zarephath to bring him some food, her response is worthy of note. 1st Kings 17:12a says,

“And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse:”

In other words, she took a good look at Elijah and said, “I know your God”. Daniel 11:32 says if you know the Almighty God, you will be empowered to do exploits. ‘ Exploits’ here refers to activities that are way beyond the ordinary. God is in the business of doing exploits. It takes God to turn the hideout of highway robbers into a beautiful godly city. It takes the God of exploits to construct the present auditorium at the Redemption Camp, even with its staggering cost. If you ever want to see exploits, you must know this God personally.

In addition, not only did this widow know Elijah’s God, she also declared Him to be alive. One of the most profound statements in the Bible was made by Job. In Job 19:25, He said:

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.”

At the time he said this, he was in a most distressing situation. Things were very bad indeed. He had lost all his wealth, property, children and even his health. However, in spite of his ordeal, he still proclaimed that God was alive. Many people tend to believe that God is not alive or that He is not who He says He is, just because of the severe trials of faith they are facing. Problems can never take God away. He doesn’t cease to exist just because He has not answered your prayers. How much faith can you repose in God while going through difficult times? This is a true test of your character.

Action Point
Ask God to open more doors for us to reach the unreached countries with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Open Heavens Devotional - A NEW MANAGEMENT

Open Heavens 19 July 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- A New Management

A NEW MANAGEMENT – Wednesday July 19th 2017

Memorise: Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16

Read: Romans 6:13-20 (KJV)

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

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

6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 14, Ezekiel 11:14-12:6, Hymn: Sing hymn 11

MESSAGE:
When you have an encounter with Jesus that results in you accepting Him as your personal Lord and Saviour, your life comes under a new management. In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus said:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Before encountering Jesus, your affairs were managed by Satan and also by your own self-will (Ephesians 2:2-3). A choice to welcome Jesus into your heart means that you have chosen to do away with all your former masters and have embraced the Lordship of Jesus over your affairs. My father used to say that whosoever you allow to be your master will take care of you with whatever he has. If Satan is your master, he will give you what he has: sickness, sorrow, fear and all kinds of problems. If Jesus is your master, He will take care of you with good health, joy, peace and all kinds of blessings. Who are you yielding to presently? Who is you master?

I was once invited to preach at the thanksgiving service of a particular king. While I was preparing for the service, his chiefs, dressed in the regalia of various secret societies, began to come in. An usher saw them and ran to me to ask if they should be allowed to enter the Church. I told him to seat them in the front row where Jesus would be able to reach them quickly. I immediately changed my sermon to talk about Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. At the end of the sermon, because I know who my Master is, I said this to them: “I challenge all of you, if you can use all your powers to deflate one of my tyres, I will surrender to your god, but if you cannot, you must surrender to my God.” I then told them the registration number of my car. By the time I gave the altar call, the second-in-command to the king, who was the leader of all the secret societies, was the first to come forward. When the other chiefs saw this, they followed suit. After the service, the king said we should go and check up on his second-in-command to find out if he understood what he just did. When we got to him, he said he knew what he had done by surrendering to Christ, adding, “When you see a small boy like this challenging all of us, who doesn’t know that he must have someone behind him? It is the One behind him that we surrendered to.” Thirty days later, this chief died. He had served the devil all his life and was heading for hell, but thirty days before his death, he changed to a new government and he is now in Heaven. Who is managing your life?

Prayer Point:
Father, wherever forces of darkness are challenging Your children in this nation, show up and paralyse them today.

Open HEAVENS Devotional - WHAT ABOUT YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

Open Heavens 18 July 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- What About Your Household?

WHAT ABOUT YOUR HOUSEHOLD? – Tuesday July 18th 2017

Memorise: One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 1st Timothy 3:4

Read: Acts 21:8-9 (KJV)
21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 12:13, Ezekiel 10:20-11:13, Hymn: Sing hymn 16

MESSAGE:
Philip was a church planter, obedient, submissive to authority, had a servant spirit and was a man of good report. Beyond these, another valuable trait he had which made God use him mightily for signs and wonders is the fact that he was a man of total commitment to God. Philip served God, but it did not end with him alone; he ensured that his family members followed the same godly path. Like Joshua who declared to the children of Israel that he and his household had decided to follow the Lord alone (Joshua 24:15), Philip decided in a determined way that everyone in his household would serve God. In our Bible reading, we are told that he had four virgin daughters, who were all saved, filled with the Holy Spirit and operated in the gift of prophecy. This clearly shows us that he led his household in the way of the Lord. It also means that he was a good role model to his children. They saw how real the Christian faith was in the life of their father and they desired it. Do your children follow the Christ you claim to follow? Are you a good role model for them? Does your life attract them to become true children of God?

Joshua in Joshua 24:15 said,
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Contrary to this stance, it is very unfortunate that today, some parents make excuses for the lukewarmness or even godlessness exhibited by their children and wards. Such parents may say, “Sir, you don’t understand; my children are now in the university.” Are they implying that children in the university should not obey their parents anymore, or that such children are incapable of doing God’s will? Some will even say, “We believe that when it comes to the issue of faith, it should be voluntary.” Is it right if your children voluntarily go to hell? No way! No child should be left to take such a foolish decision! It is your duty to instruct your household after you in the way of the Lord. My biological children, who are now adults, can testify to how I raised them up. None of them dared to come late for morning devotion. If you were late, you would remain standing or be spanked. Joshua commanded his family to serve the Lord. No wonder he was able to command the sun to stand still and it did. If you can instruct your household to genuinely serve God, you will be able to command what God created, and they will obey you. Who is in charge of your home: you or your children?

Key point:
If you raise your children well to follow and serve the Lord, He will reward you, but if you don’t, He will judge you.

Open HEAVENS Devotional - FOUNDATION: HOW STRONG?

Open Heavens 14 July 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Foundation: How Strong?

FOUNDATION: HOW STRONG? – Friday July 14th 2017

Memorise: Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1st Timothy 6:19

Read: Psalm 11:3-5 (KJV)
11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

11:5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 3-4, Ezekiel 7:23-8:6, Hymn: Sing hymn 16
MESSAGE:
The foundation of any building or structure is very important. According to Proverbs 22:6, if a child is given the right foundation, it will be easy for him or her to build on it and succeed in life. The question then is, what kind of foundation are you laying for your child or ward? Do you know that some parents are the ones who push their children into destruction? For instance, if you have a child whose Christian foundation is not solidly established and you send such a child into a society with liberal values, don’t be surprised to see that child follow an ungodly lifestyle. For this reason, when you are considering tertiary education for your child, also put into consideration how that child will access spiritual growth in the institution you want to send him or her to. An ideal school should be able to satisfy the academic, moral, extracurricular and spiritual needs of a child. All these should be well balanced. A child’s foundation is laid from kindergarten to university, after which the child will be able to continue in the righteous path of his or her upbringing. Do your children have a solid foundation in Christ? Is their foundation strong enough to carry whatever will be built on it?

On the other hand, the strength of a child’s foundation is a function of several factors such as: the spiritual level of the parents, the values upheld in that family, the parents’ level of education, the financial resources available to the child, and so on. It is true that you cannot give what you don’t have. The invariably means that as parents, the more you invest in your spiritual life, the greater the chances of giving your children a more solid foundation. Children learn a lot by simply copying their parents. Many parents engage in certain unhealthy habits and their children are watching them. The laughable thing is that some parents who practise unwholesome habits even warn their children not to try such.  To believe that their children will take them seriously is to engage in self-deception. Some men have girlfriends and their children are aware of this, but they beg them never to tell their mothers. Some even bring such ladies home and bribe their children to keep their mouths shut. How can such children ever grow up to become faithful to their spouses? The strongest legacy you can give to your children is to live the kind of life you desire to see in them.
Prayer Point
Father, help me to lay a very solid foundation for every member of my family.

Open HEAVENS Devotional - THE RESTORING SHEPHERD

Open Heavens 12 July 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- The Restoring Shepherd

THE RESTORING SHEPHERD – Wednesday July 12th 2017

Memorise: He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

Read: Psalm 23:1-3 (KJV)

23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Bible in one year: 1st Samuel 29-31, Ezekiel 6:8-7:4, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:
For the sheep of the Great Shepherd, the infallible word of God in Psalm 23:3 guarantees restoration of that which is lost. Sometimes, God allows His chosen ones to experience a loss so that they can have the opportunity of experiencing Him as the Great Restorer. Be assured in your heart therefore that if you experience a loss that you did not cause by an act of carelessness of disobedience, you can obtain restoration. However, if you fail to ask for restoration, you may not experience it. In Joel 2:23-26, God promised to restore all categories of losses. Every good thing that you have lost shall be restored to you as you hold the Lord to His word, in Jesus’ Name.

Moreover, not only does the Great Shepherd restore physical and material losses to His sheep. He also restores them spiritually. Speaking of spiritual restoration, virtually all believers need this in some measures. In His letter to the Church at Ephesus, the Lord Jesus Christ told the brethren that they had left their first love. In other words, they needed spiritual restoration so that they could embrace the good things they did before, which they had abandoned. Revelations 2:5 says, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

For many of us, the zeal, love and fire with which we served God when we first became saved have since ebbed. Our commitment, dedication and consecration are no longer the same. In those days, we made some vows to God such as “No Bible, no breakfast”, but are we still true to those pledges? We promised to win the world of Christ, saying that no day would pass without us winning a soul into God’s Kingdom. How true is that today? Some of us are even so shy or afraid of speaking about Jesus at God-given opportunities. We prefer to read books, surf the internet, or visit social media sites than to preach in buses or cabs like we used to. We sure need spiritual restoration! To be restored, you need to recall how committed you were in times past, repent of your lukewarmness and pick up from where you stopped. Go back to consecration and holiness! Go back to reaching out to the lost on a daily basis! Do you know that no day should pass without you prospecting for sinners to be saved into God’s Kingdom? Ask God to restore you today!

Key Point
Words like consecution, sanctification and dedication which were common place in Christianity of old are now almost completely out of our vocabulary today.

Open HEAVENS Devotional - LEAVE A MARK

Open Heavens 11 July 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Leave a Mark

LEAVE A MARK – Tuesday July 11th 2017

Memorise: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2nd Thessalonians 1:12

Read: Acts 19:8-10 (KJV)

19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

19:9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

19:10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Bible in one year: 1st Samuel 26-28, Ezekiel 5:13-6:7, Hymn Sing hymn 13
MESSAGE:
If you will be used by God to perform signs and wonders in these last days, you must have the heart of a missionary or church planter. In the days of the early Church, although there was a church in Jerusalem, Philip left his base and went to plant another church in Samaria (Acts 8:5). If God sees you as an incurable church planter, He will gladly use you in the miraculous. Take for instance Paul the Apostle: today you would find him in Corinth, tomorrow he would be in Galatia and the next time, you would hear of him being in Colossae. As he travelled around these countries and cities, he kept planting churches. He hardly visited a city without leaving a mark behind for God’s Kingdom. No wonder the Bible records that the kind of miracles God performed through Paul were quite outstanding. Acts 19:11-12 says,

“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.”


There are some lessons we can learn from the experience of Paul in this regard. The first is that having the opportunity to travel around the globe is a great privilege.  There are people who enjoy travelling from one country to another. There are some people who are required by their official assignment or business transactions to move across countries. Some go to other places for school or simply on vacation. Whatever the reason for your travels, it is a great privilege. Every Christian traveller is expected to leave a godly mark behind in the places he or she visits. How can you visit a country for a week or two and not share the gospel of Jesus Christ with at least one person? You as a true believer in Christ should be able to have converts in the different countries you visit, and if you are there for a minimum of three to six months, you should be able to start a house fellowship, or even a church. By doing this, you will be opening the door for God to use you for signs and wonders. Have you travelled away from home without winning souls for Christ or establishing a house fellowship or church for His Name? Are you ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Use the opportunity or your travels across different locations to glorify God. Travelling is meaningful if you can leave a mark of God’s Kingdom behind.

Key Point:
One way of becoming a father of many nations is to have converts in every country you visit.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye,

Open HEAVENS Devotional - THE LORD OUR REFUGE

Open Heavens 10 July 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- The Lord Our Refuge

THE LORD OUR REFUGE – Monday July 10th 2017

Memorise: But he passing through the midst of them went his way, Luke 4:30

Read: Luke 4:16-30 (King James Version)

4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

4:22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

4:23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

4:24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

4:25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

4:29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

4:30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

Bible in one year: 1st Samuel 24-25, Ezekiel 5:1-12, Hymn: Sing hymn 9

MESSAGE:
God has several names and titles that will definitely benefit His children who have an understanding of the purpose and power in these names. It is one thing to know the names and titles of God and another thing to have the revelation behind them. When you receive the revelation of a particular name or title of God, you are brought into a covenant relationship with Him on the basis of that name, and as a result, you gain access to the benefits that such names or titles confer. May God reveal Himself to you by His Names today!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1

One of God’s powerful titles is that He is our Refuge. A refuge is a kind of shelter or a place of protection from harm, danger, trouble or pursuit of the enemy. Why is God a refuge? It is because He knows that in this evil world, people will encounter lots of dangerous situations and circumstances at some point in their lives. Do you know that even our Lord Jesus Christ faced dangers many times? However, because God the Father was His refuge, He was protected from them all. One instance of this is recorded in today’s Bible reading. After hitting the people of his childhood town of Nazareth with the truth, they became very angry with Him and decided to kill Him. Luke 4:29 says,

“And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him into the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.”

This was just one of the several failed attempts made on the life of Jesus Christ until He voluntarily surrendered Himself to die at Calvary (John 10:17-18). From today, every attempt on your life shall fail in Jesus’ Name! You shall not die before your appointed time! Every plan of premature death against you and members of your family shall be disappointed! God is our Refuge because of the dangerous and evil times we may have to live through. One fellow who knew God as his Refuge was David. Boy, did he face great storms! Although his eyes saw troubles and great dangers, he could still say that while passing through treacherous valleys, he would not be afraid (Psalm 23:4). He could say this because he knew God as his Refuge. God is our Refuge because He knows that the enemy will definitely pursue His children, and so they will need a place to hide. From today, you will hide safely in the Lord! The Lord will be a sure Refuge for you in Jesus’ Name!

Prayer Point:
Father, in these perilous times, hide me under the shadow of Your wings.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Open HEAVENS Devotional - PERMANENT PEACE IS POSSIBLE

Open Heavens 8 July 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Permanent Peace is Possible

PERMANENT PEACE IS POSSIBLE- Saturday July 8th 2017

Memorise: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Read: Matthew 14:22-33 (King James Version)

14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Bible in one year: 1st Samuel 20-21, Ezekiel 3:16-27, Hymn: Sing hymn 2

MESSAGE:
The Blood of Jesus Christ is a very potent weapon available to us today (Revelation 12:11). The moment you surrender your life to Jesus, victory comes, because the same Blood that cleanses from all sins also conquers Satan. However, if the Blood does not first wash away your sins, you will remain a slave to the devil (Colossians 1:14). It is only after the Blood has worked on you through salvation that the same Blood gives you victory over Satan. For 13 years, I was running from witches and wizard, and then I met the Lord Jesus Christ. He saved me, and ever since then, no witch anywhere in the world can come close to me, because I am covered with the Blood of Jesus.

Moreover, apart from the Blood of Jesus that is made available to us after salvation, peace that surpasses human understanding is another benefit that comes in after the door of salvation is opened. In fact, while there is no peace to the wicked, peace like a river is made available to you if you are saved. Jesus, in John 14:27, says to you:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The One who comes into your heart the moment you are born again is the Prince of Peace; you therefore must experience peace in all areas of your life if you have received Him. I pray for you that as you receive Jesus into your life today or draw closer to Him, you will experience peace in every area of your life in Jesus’ Name. Have you been troubled? I speak peace from the Prince of Peace into your troubled situation now! Peace that passes all understanding shall locate you today! In addition, the peace that you receive from the Prince of Peace can be retained for life. Yes, you can have permanent peace. How? Isaiah 26:3 says,

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

If you have Jesus, you have peace. Anytime you make Jesus your focus, your peace is sustained, and if Jesus remains your focus, you will have permanent peace irrespective of the raging storms of life. While Peter focused on Jesus, he could come out of the troubled boat and walk on water towards Jesus, but the moment he shifted his focus to the wind, he began to sink. What has been your focus? Through the peace that Jesus gives, you can now determine the quality of peace you experience and for how long it will last. Set your focus on the Prince of Peace today.

Action Point
Pray for every family that is experiencing storms to encounter the Prince of Peace and to receive His peace that is beyond understanding.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Open HEAVENS Devotional - WHAT’S YOUR RESPONSE?

Open Heavens 7 July 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- What’s Your Response?

WHAT’S YOUR RESPONSE? – Friday July 7th 2017

Memorise: And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. 1st Samuel 24:5
Read: 2nd Samuel 12:7-13 (King James Version)

12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

12:8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

12:9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

12:10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

12:11 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

12:12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

12:13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

Bible in one year: 1st Samuel 18-19, Ezekiel 2:8-3:15, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:
One day, after being on the run for his dear life for quite some time, David finally had the chance to kill King Saul, his persecutor (1st Samuel 24:2-6). However, instead of doing this, he chose to simply cut off a part of Saul’s robe, to show that he harboured no ill feelings towards the king. Nevertheless, after carrying out this seemingly magnanimous act, his conscience pricked him. 1st Samuel 24:5 says,

“And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt."

His heart asked him, “David, what have you done? Have you forgotten it is written, “Touch not my anointed?” He immediately lost his peace. That is the response of a true sheep belonging to the Great Shepherd. In addition to finding it easy to obey, a sheep that strays from the fold of the Great Shepherd will have his or her heart smitten. Open Heavens 7 July 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- What’s Your Response?  On the other hand, goats are hard-hearted. Are you a sheep or a goat? How many times have you spoken against the anointed of God without feeling any remorse? You mean you can sit down and discuss an anointed man of God for hours, pulling him apart and highlighting what you call his faults, forgetting that it’s only before his Maker that he stands or falls? Is your conscience dead or alive? The conscience of a goat is dead but that of a sheep is alive.

In today’s Bible reading, when Prophet Nathan visited David and narrated to him the story of a rich man with many sheep, who used his poor neighbour’s only lamb to entertain his visitors, David was furious. He declared that whoever carried out his act must die. Then the prophet looked at him and said, “You are the man!” Remember that Nathan was talking to the king of the land. If you expose a goat, he or she will be angry and pounce on you. If David had been a goat, immediately he was confronted with his sin, he would have ordered his guards to cut off the prophet’s head. If he wanted to be subtle, he could lure the prophet to attend a private dinner for them to discuss the matter further, where his wine would have been poisoned. However, what did David do? He said, “I am finished!”, and he began to confess his sins. What is your attitude when God’s word hits you? Do you say, “This pastor is preaching about me again? I wonder who reports me to him!” Is your attitude the type that says, “Preacher, mind your own business?” How often have you broken down to weep over your atrocities? How many times have you cried to God for mercy, not caring about those people who are around you? Are you a goat or a sheep?

Key Point:
If you are a sheep, it will show in your response to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye,

Open HEAVENS Devotional - CHOOSE WISELY

Open Heavens 6 July 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Choose Wisely

CHOOSE WISELY – Thursday July 6th 2017

Memorise: Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 2nd Corinthians 5:11
Read: Luke 23:39-43 (King James Version)

23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

23;42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Bible in one year: 1st Samuel 17, Ezekiel 1:22-2:7, Hymn: Sing hymn 11
MESSAGE:

“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”
2nd Corinthians 5:11

The reality of an eternity in Hell fire is the reason why we continue to preach relentlessly to people about the need to give their lives to Christ right now! Hell is worse than any kind of suffering ever known to man. It is worse than any World War or nuclear holocaust. It is worse than any type of plague, be it Ebola, HIV, leprosy or the Black Death. It is even worse than death itself. Why, you may ask? If a believer in Christ is tortured to death for his or her faith in Christ, he or she will be in pains for a while, but eventually, the pain will stop and he or she will be taken into glory. Such a fellow would have moved from extreme pain to extreme joy, glory and peace in Heaven. In contrast, anyone who goes to Hell will burn in fire day and night. After burning for a billion years, his or her sufferings will just be beginning. Worse still, after the Great White Throne Judgement, the inhabitants of Hell will be moved into the Lake of Fire, where they will go through the worst of torment and will keep burning without being consumed. Revelation 20:14 says,

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

Whatever you can do to skip Hell, do it today because nobody knows tomorrow!
No religion can save you from Hell. No form of self-righteousness, personal belief or positive thinking can save you either.  In fact, John 3:18 says that some people will be banished to Hell not because they did not attend church but because they did not genuinely give their live to Christ. You have a choice to make here. When the Lord Jesus Christ was being nailed to the cross, two thieves were equally nailed to their own crosses on either side of Him. One of them said to the Lord, “I thought you called yourself a prophet, how come you cannot deliver yourself and deliver us also?” The second thief rebuked him saying, “While on your way to Hell, you are still talking like this?” Then he turned to Jesus and said “Lord, I don’t know if it is still possible, but when You get to your Kingdom, please remember me.” The first thief chose to go from the cross to Hell, and he got his wish, while the second chose to go from the cross to Paradise and it was so. What is your choice today?

Action Point
Visit www.spiritlessons.com and read up people’s account of their experience of Heaven and Hell. Wisely adjust your lifestyle based on your choice of eternal destination.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Open HEAVENS Devotional-LIMITED TO SWEET EXPERIENCES?

Open Heavens 5 July 2017: Wednesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Limited to sweet experiences?

LIMITED TO SWEET EXPERIENCES? – Wednesday July 5th 2017

Memorise: And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 2nd Corinthians 1:7

Read: Deuteronomy 8:2-7 (KJV)
8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee.

8:6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lordthy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

8:7 For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;

Hebrews 2:9-10 (KJV)
2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Bible in one year: 1st Samuel 15-16, Ezekiel 1:1-21, Hymn: Sing hymn 14

MESSAGE:
Jesus is the Great Shepherd and He wants His sheep to eat and drink from that which He provides for them. If you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you will be filled. In other words, you will experience the right growth in the Kingdom when you are receptive, and not selective of what the Master gives. Every good word of God counts in helping you grow to become like Jesus. In the Church of God today, under the guise of “grace” or “liberty” found in the New Testament, a lot of funny things are happening. Some people choose to read only the New Testament, and call the Old Testament stale or outdated. Some others choose to read only specific portions of the Bible that speaks of blessings, while they never go to the portions on sacrifice and curses. Some people never want to see passages on tithes and offering and other forms of giving, believing that offerings do not go to God but to men.  Some of such people prefer to donate their tithes to the poor and needy, rather then to pay it as tithes in their church. Such tendencies will definitely affect their growth and hinder them from enjoying God’s full blessings.

“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life”
Mark 10:29-30

From the above scripture, we see that the Lord Jesus Christ did not promise us a life free of hardship. Anyone who goes through life experiencing only pleasure, abundance and happiness without any moment of sorrow, sadness, denial, lack or disappointment will not develop a strong, well balanced character. Such a person will be vain, will lack compassion for others, and be conceited. God allows us to go through both the ups and downs of life so that we can truly fit into His plan for us. A one-sided spiritual diet leads to uneven spiritual growth. Romans 5:3 says that tribulations helps us develop patience. Hebrews 2:10 tells us that our Lord Jesus Christ Himself was made perfect through sufferings. How can you then become perfect without undergoing hardship? 1st Peter 4:13 says that when we partake of Christ’s sufferings, we shall also partake of His glory that shall be revealed. Don’t let anyone deceive you; you need to take in every truth of God’s word in order to become who you were created to be.

Key Point
God allows His children to go through difficulties in order to develop their character.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye