Monthly Archives: January 2020

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2020.—THE BLOOD OF JESUS I.

MEMORISE:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin. 1 John 1:7

READ: Hebrews 9:11-14

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

MESSAGE

The Blood of Jesus is the most powerful substance I know. I know how powerful it is because I have used it countless times and it has worked for me. The most important thing that the Blood of Jesus can do is wash away sins. Every sinner carries a burden of guilt. However, the moment the fellow surrenders his/her life to Christ, the Blood of Jesus washes away his/her sins. From that moment, the fellow is completely pure and none of his sins exists anymore. Isn’t that wonderful? If you are still carrying the burden of sin, I advise that you ask Him to cleanse you with His Blood today and you will experience great peace like never before.

Aside from washing away sins, the Blood of Jesus is also a potent weapon to overcome Satan. Revelation 12:11 says:

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…”

Is Satan tormenting you in any area of your life? Just plead the Blood of Jesus on it and you will overcome him.

The greatest covenant anyone can enter into is a blood covenant. If it so happens that your forefathers have entered into a covenant with the devil and you noticed certain trends in your linage, the Blood of Jesus is the only thing that can break it. A long time ago in my family, one of our fathers impregnated his maid and his wife at the same time. While the wife was well-cared for after delivery, the maid, because of her status, was given food without oil-very dry and unappetizing, despite having delivered a son. The maid, hurt, placed a curse on the family and from that moment on, any child born and given anything with oil to eat died. The family found out and oil became forbidden for children in the home. Then I met Christ and His Blood overcame the ancestral curse in my family.

The Blood of Jesus is powerful enough to overcome Satan and all his demons.

PRAYER POINT:

I plead the Blood of Jesus on my linage and I use it to break every curse or evil covenant that exists in my family in the mighty Name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 7-9

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS.

1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

o Refrain:
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

2. Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

3. When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

4. Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 31ST JANUARY 2020-HATE WHAT GOD HATES.

MEMORIES:

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Hebrews 1:9

READ: Proverbs 6:16-19

16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

MESSAGE

You cannot claim to love what God loves and not hate what He hates. The Bible had made it easy for us to identify the things that God hates by listing them out in Proverbs 6:16-19:

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Today we will only discuss two of the things God hates as seen in the passage above. The very first thing on the list is “a proud look.” God hates pride. James 4:6 says God resist the proud. In order words, if you are proud, forget about being a friend of God because He hates pride. But if you love Him, you too would hate pride. You would not raise your shoulders everywhere you go, you would not look down on others nor insist people call you by a title or greet you in a certain way.

The next thing on the list is “a lying tongue.” God hates lies. It amazes me when I see Christians lying and they’ll say it was a white lie. Do you think there is a section in heaven for those who tell white lies? The Bible says ALL liars shall have their part in the lake of fire (Revelations 21:8). The white, black and multicolored liars are all going to hell because God hates lies. Stop telling lies. Jesus is called “the Truth“ (John 14:6), so anything like a lie is irritating to Him. On the other hand, the devil is the father and lord of lie (John 8:44).

Anyone who still tells lies no matter the color cannot claim to be a friend of God; the fellow is rather a child of the father of liars- the devil. Choose to become a child of God day.

KEY POINT:

God hates sin and if you love Him, you would also hate it.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 4-6

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 27: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE.

1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
*Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.

2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 30th JANUARY 2020: LOVE WHAT GOD LOVES.

MEMORISE:

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

READ: 1John 5:1-3

1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

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

MESSAGE

There is a popular saying that the friend of my friend is my friend. If God is your friend, then you would love anyone or anything He loves. For example, God loves children. He likes having them around Him (Matthew 19:14) and He ensures that their angels stand face to face with Him (Matthew 18:10). I hope you love children too, because if you are always mean to children or you are indifferent when others are mean to them, then you cannot claim to love God.

So what are the things God loves? He loves fellowship. When Jesus was to start His ministry on earth, one of the first things He did was to appoint disciples to keep Him company (Mark 3:14-19). He said whenever two or three are gathered in His name, He will be present (Matthew 18:20). He loves it when we come together to fellowship. Are you excited when it is time to fellowship or are you reluctant to spend time with the brethren? One reason God loved David is found in Psalm 122:1:

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

He was always excited to attend Church meetings. Are you excited whenever it is time to go to Church? Are you one of those the Pastor has to follow-up closely before they are seen in Church? Make out time to enjoy fellowship with the brethren from today; God loves it.
God also loves all human beings dearly. He sent His only son to die for the world-not just the Jews or Christians alone. Some people forget that their house help is also amongst the people that Jesus came to die for so much that He died for him/her. Jesus said that the second greatest commandment after loving God is to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). Have you seen people in the scenarios described in Matthew 25:42-43 and ignored them?

If you truly love God, then you would love people around you.

KEY POINT:

In Matthew 25:41-46, we see that people were thrown into hell simply because they did not love who God loves. Love everything and everyone He loves.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 1-3

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 12: I AM THINE OH 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.

Refrain:
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 power of grace divine;
let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
and my will be lost in thine.
(Refrain)

3. O 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!
(Refrain)

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.
(Refrain)

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY 29th JANUARY 2020–CRUSH THAT CRUSH II.

MEMORISE:
For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life. Proverbs 6:26

READ: Proverbs 6:23-29

23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.

27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

MESSAGE

Today, I will be focusing on the married. It is sad that many married people are still having crushes with persons apart from their spouses. If there is any fellow aside from your spouse you are admiring unduly, you must see such a person as the devil and get rid of them immediately. One of my sons once told me that he was always excited to resume in the office every Monday because he would get to see his secretary again. I told him to fire her immediately. Nothing and no one is worth your marriage.

What is a married woman doing on the phone with another man for countless minutes? Why would a married man be spending so much time with another man’s wife? Why would you prefer to discuss intimate issues with your “friend” of the opposite sex instead of your God-given spouse? Oh, you may say “I am not doing anything with the fellow; we are just friend.” That is exactly where it starts from. The devil knows you are a Christian and would not fall for someone just like that. So, he makes you become good friends with the fellow and before you know it, you would have fallen. May you not fall for any strategy of the devil in the mighty name of Jesus. If you have any friend that you talk to more than your spouse, break that friendship now. Proverbs 5:18 has this to say:

“Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.”

Spend more time with your spouse and make him/her your confidant. Exchange compliments. The reason many people have crushes outside their marriage is mostly due to a distance between the couple. They no longer communicate as they used to. When they talk, it is only on serious issues about the children or other family needs, instead of talking /gisting about just anything as they used to in the early days of their marriage. They no longer go out to fun places or take walks together except they are going for family functions. If there is no distance between yourself and your spouse, no crush can come between you.

KEY POINT:

No one should be closer to you or know more about you than your spouse.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 48-50

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: DEEPER, DEEPER IN THE LOVE OF JESUS.

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.

o Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every 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! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.

4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.

5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 28th JANUARY 2020–CRUSH THAT CRUSH I.

MEMORISE:
But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: 1 Kings 11:1

READ: 1 Kings 11:1

1But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites:

2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

MESSAGE

We studied this topic in the Teenager’s Open Heavens last year and thought to discuss it with you this year because it is relevant to many adults. A crush is a brief but intense infatuation for someone.

To the unmarried, I want to tell you that a crush is likely to crush you if you base your decision concerning whom to marry solely on your emotions. It is often said that love is blind and this is very true. Samson had a crush on Delilah (Judges 16:4-18). Oh, I wish he had crushed the crush so that he could see Delilah’s true character before he fell into her trap. This is someone who sold him into captivity and ultimately his untimely death. If there is someone that you admire, before you jump into a relationship with the fellow, pray first. Study the fellow’s behavior. After you hear from God yourself and get confirmations (2 Corinthians 13:1), then you can involve your Pastor and commence courtship.

If you are not yet ready for marriage, then a crush is an agenda of the devil to distract you from your goals and to crush your destiny. You had better crush that crush before it crushes you. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says:

“ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you…….?”

The devil knows that any sexual sin is a sin against your body- the temple of God and once it is committed, that body ceases to be God’s temple, so he can now touch and destroy it. Amnon- David’s heir apparent had a crush on his half-sister Tamar and instead of crushing it, he let it grow. He discussed it with the wrong person who gave him ungodly counsel that he acted on (2 Samuel 13). He paid with his life and caused a deep rift in his family…..all because of a crush. You have a lot to lose if you let that crush grow and your entire life to gain if you crush it now.

KEY POINT:

Be wise and make the right decision; crush that crush now!

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 46-47

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS.

1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

o Refrain:
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

2. Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

3. When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

4. Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 27th JANUARY 2020-THE WORD OR THE WORLD?

MEMORISE:
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

READ: 1 John 2:14-17

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

MESSAGE

People are naturally influenced by what they constantly see or hear. Thus, every Christian is at the risk of being influenced by the world around them. This is why we must always remember that though we are in this world, we are not of it (John 15:19). Our major influence should be the word of God. Romans 12:2 states:

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

The above passage warns us against being influenced by the world. It counsels that our minds must be constantly renewed so that we can do the will of God which is clearly written in His word.

How often do you read your Bible? If you don’t read your Bible at least in the morning and evening, it is likely that you are l ready being influenced by the world. This is because something you don’t interact with regularly cannot have more influence on you than that which you relate with frequently. You must read your Bible daily. You must also ensure that you memorize and meditate on the scripture daily.

Many Christians today live like the world around them: they hardly pray before making decisions, even though Proverbs 3:5-6 says you should not lean on your own understanding, but acknowledge Him in ALL your ways. They ignore the poor and hungry even through Matthew 25:45 says that not showing care for the hungry and destitute translates to not showing care for Christ. They walk around with high shoulders because of their leadership position or wealth, whereas our Master washed the feet of His disciples and even said whoever will lead amongst us must be the servant of everyone else. What really influences you- is it the word of God or the world? If the word of God has any influence on you, it would show in your lifestyle. You wouldn’t need to tell people that you are a Christian before they know that indeed you are a child of God.

REFLECTION:

What influences your daily decisions- is it the word of God or the world?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 43-45

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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.

o Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior 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.

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY 26th JANUARY 2020: MAKE JESUS TREND.

MEMORISE:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

READ: Matthew 24:12-14

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

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

MESSAGE

This present time is often called the digital age. The internet possesses great benefits, but it is also fast becoming a curse. You can hardly visit the internet without a worldly picture popping up; they are either asking you to register on a dating site or advertising something with a half-naked woman. It is probably not so harmful for mature Christians, but what of our children who visit this same internet regularly? Less than fifteen years ago, we had magazines which were untouchable to children because of their explicit content, but today, the children have access to everything through their smart-phones! May God protect our children from the perversion of this world in the mighty name of Jesus.

The internet allows everyone to voice what they believe in. *The* problem is not with the people putting Christian content there. Many Christians are into advertising, yet they champion advert campaigns with half-naked models. In other words, they have been recruited by the devil to voice his own beliefs. If the children of the world are posting dirty things on the internet and you are joining them to do so, it is a shame.

On the other hand, if you have a social media account and you are not posting godly messages, then you are handing the world over to the devil on a platter of gold. I wonder why we Christians can’t ensure that no one goes on the internet without something concerning Jesus popping up. The devil is using the internet to corrupt our children; are you going to sit back and just watch? Won’t you fight for the spiritual sanity of our children? If there are five sets of explicit content on the internet, let us outmatch them with ten godly ones. 2 Timothy 4:2 admonishes:

“Preach the word; be instant in season……”

ACTION POINT:

Use everything you have to present Jesus to the world.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 41-42

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 25: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

1. There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

o Refrain:
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.

3. There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

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!

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.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY 2020-GOD’S SANDPAPER.

MEMORISE:
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:11

READ: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

MESSAGE

When a carpenter is working on a piece of furniture, he has a picture of what he wants the finished work t look like. He puts in a lot of effort to make the piece of wood into what he has in mind, and if it is not smooth as he wishes, he smoothens it to the desired state with some sandpaper. Jesus Christ is our carpenter and He has a picture of what He wants us to be as He works on us; however, every now and then, we exhibit certain behaviors which can hinder His ultimate plan, so He employs the sandpaper (a person or situation) to smoothen us out. The experience, however, is always painful as noted in today’s memory verse but it is for our own good. If a piece of wood being sandpaper could express itself, it would scream in pain, but the beauty of the outcome will make it worthwhile. Hebrews 12:6 clarifies this:

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth……”

When God wants to smoothen you out, He will put someone in your life as a piece of sandpaper, until you are well-polished. Your sandpaper could be your boss in the office or your pastor in Church. Despite their harshness, see the sandpaper in them. There is probably a behavior that God wants you to shed or acquire from working with the boss or pastor.

The most frequent piece of sandpaper I have seen God use on people is their spouse. He knows that you can resign in an office or leave a church, but your contract with your spouse is for life. So, He often uses our spouses to smoothen us out. The problem with most people however, is that instead of submitting to the process of change and becoming better, they choose to fight their spouses. It is no wonder many have remained on the one spot for very long. Yield to change. Listen to what your God-fearing spouse is trying to correct in your behavior- it is for your own good. If you allow yourselves to be smoothen by each other, you would advance fast in life and your home would be a better place to raise your children in. your latter years would also be more pleasurable.

KEY POINT:

The faster you let the sandpaper do its work, the better for you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 38-40

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 25: ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME.

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.

2. Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 24TH JANUARY 2020–AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST.

MEMORISE:
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

READ: 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

MESSAGE

An ambassador is an accredited person who represents his/her nation in a foreign country.

When a country chooses a person to serve as an ambassador, it means the fellow has characteristics that reflect who they are and who they want the world to see them as. Many Christians, even Pastors call themselves ambassadors of Christ whereas Christ’s testimony about them is “I know you not” (Matthew 25:12), it is not just about claiming to be Christ’s Ambassador, it is about living the lifestyle of Christ (Matthew 7:21-23).

How do we know those who are true ambassadors of Christ? Jesus said it is by their fruit that we will know them. Is the fruit of the spirit evident in your lifestyle? Do you show love to those around you? Are you patient, meek, full of joy? Are you at peace in your mind and following peace with all men? Are you gentle? Do you have faith in God? If these things don’t describe you correctly, then you are not an ambassador of Christ. Jesus said in John 14:9 that if you have seen Him, then you have seen the Father. That is a true ambassador. Can people look at you and have a good picture of who Christ is?

A powerful Muslim cleric once said that if he can find ten Christians like Adeboye, he would convert to Christianity. This show how scarce true ambassador of Christ are. The moment you call yourself Christian, people begin to watch your lifestyle; what they see in you will determine how they take Christianity. Ephesians 6:20 states:

“For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

While true Christians are saving souls from the grasp of the devil, don’t be the one to turn them away from Christ. If you will not live the lifestyle of Christ, don’t go around parading yourself as a Christian. Jesus said He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him (John10:14). The end is very near; if you do not repent and change your ways, you would soon have to join your real father- the devil. I pray that will never be your story.

REFLECTION:

Are you truly an ambassador of Christ?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 35-37

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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 armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, 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.

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Open Heaven Daily Devotional Thursday 23rd January 2020 -SALT OF THE EARTH

Memorise:

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13

Read Luke 14:34 (KJV)

34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

Message:-

The statement “You are the salt of the earth” means that without you, the earth cannot be sweet. Hence, the sweetness of this world depends on you.

One of the ways by which you can be like salt in your world is through the words of your mouth. Colossians 4:6 says:

“Let your speech be away with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Always speak soothing words to the downtrodden, never use harsh and abusive words and ensure your words are healing rather than killing those who hear them.

Another way to be the salt of the earth is to show kindness to others. Your little act of kindness is a great factor in making the world a sweet place for some other person(s) to live in. In Matthew 25:34-46, there is a list of people to whom you are expected to always show kindness. These include the hungry, the prisoners, the sick, those who have no clothes and so on.

If you don’t do these things, then you have lost your savour and Jesus said in Matthew 5:13 that salt that has lost it savour is good for nothing but should be cast out and trodden under the foot of men. You may say: But this world is very wicked place, how can I use nice words and perform kind acts in such a place?

Well, that is exactly the point. When you cook a cup of rice, you don’t add a cup of salt to it. The salt is always little compared to the rice. You should not expect the whole world to be salt too; it is your duty to influence others with your savour and bring out the sweetness in them. You cannot afford to become bitter just because others around you are.

Remain the salt of the earth. Don’t be weary in doing good. Your reward will surely come if you don’t give up (Galatians 6:9)

Prayer Point
Lord, please have mercy on me for all the times that I lost my savour. I promise from now on to remain as salt even in this wicked world.

HYMN 22 – O LORD MY GOD

1. O Lord my God!
When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all
The worlds Thy hands hath made
I see the stars,
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy pow’r thro’out
The universe displayed.

CHORUS:
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!

2. When through the woods
And forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down
From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook
And feel the gentle breeze;

CHORUS:
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!

3. And when I think
That God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die,
I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross,
My burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died
To take away my sin.

CHORUS:
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!

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