Monthly Archives: December 2020

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 1ST JANUARY 2021 IN THE BEGINNING, GOD SAID

MEMORISE:
Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

READ: Genesis 1:1-5
1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

MESSAGE

When God speaks, it is done. This is because there is power in His word (Hebrews 4:12). I congratulate you today because the Almighty who knows no impossibility (Luke 1:37) is saying to you on the very first day of this year that you will never suffer again. Everything He has planned for you shall come to pass this year in Jesus’ name.

However, you must become a member of God’s family for His word to impact your life positively. To have the Light of God in your life throughout this year, you must repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord. It is impossible for your ”New Year Resolutions” to withstand the test of temptations without the power in the blood of Jesus that was shed for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28).

After inviting Jesus to become the Lord over your life, you must ensure that you continue to dwell in Him permanently. He is the only Light that can keep you out of darkness and see you successfully through this year and beyond (John 8:12).

Darkness is the opposite of light and it represents all forms of evil. Thus, when God commands light into anyone or anything, it simply means that darkness has been ruling over that person or thing. From the Bible reading of today, you will see that the world was deep in chaos, darkness and was without form. However, God spoke, as He is speaking to you on this significant day. He said ”…Iet there be light” and there was light. Today, I command light to shine into your life and repel every form of darkness, in the mighty name of Jesus.

The Lord has promised us that as we walk in the Light, we will fellowship with Him, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son will cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

Remain faithful to your decision to follow Jesus throughout this year and your mouth will be full of testimonies of God’s goodness in the mighty name of Jesus.

If anybody asks you why you are so sure, tell the fellow that it is because God has said it. Hallelujah!
Happy NewYear!

PRAYER POINT:
Father, thank You for bringing me into another year. Please, let the power in Your word bring Your promises to pass in my life and family, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Genesis 1-3

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

1. “Great is thy faithfulness”
O God my Father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee:
Thou changest not, Thy compassion, they fail not,
As Thou has been Thou forever will be.

Chorus
“Great is Thy faithfulness!”
“Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided –
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

2. Summer and winter, and spring time and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2020. A NEW YEAR COMETH.

MEMORISE:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

READ: Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

MESSAGE:

We have come to the end of another year. a new year begins tomorrow. At the end of a season, it is important that you sit and review the season.

Review all that happened or didn’t in every aspect of your life in 2020. Did you experience any progress in your career? Did you draw closer to God this year? did your relationship with loved ones get better this year? you know the important areas of your life; do a review.

After your review, you will see areas where you need to improve. The opportunity to improve starts now; grab it with faith in God for a better year. list the things you want to achieve in the new year and put things in place to ensure you achieve them.

If for example, you want to live a better spiritual life, but there is a partner you keep committing fornication or adultery with, then it is time to delete that fellow’s number and cut all ties with him/her. Hebrews 12:1 says:
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

Let the word of God guide you in all matters. Psalm 37:5 tells us to:

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

Beloved, your decisions and actions now will determine how year 2021 will be for you. If there are things you want to stop in your life, you had better not carry them into 2021 and if there are things you want start in your life, bring them in now. You have a chance to write your own history in 2021; don’t miss it.

May the Almighty God bless you tremendously in the coming year in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

PRAYER POINT:

Declare the things that you want in the year 2021. It will be a greater year for you than all those that had come before it, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 21-22

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 22: O LORD MY GOD!

1. O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior 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 see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

3. Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

4. 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.

5. Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

6. When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”

7. Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY 30TH DECEMBER 2020. OVERCOME YOUR BODY.

MEMORISE:

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:27

READ: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

MESSAGE:

Anyone that is going to excel according to our Bible reading for today, must be self-disciplined. Such a person must keep his/her body under. Do not be deceived – greatness is readily available. There is plenty of room at the top; the question is: are you willing to do the work that will qualify you to get there?
Anyone who wants to be prominent, to mount with wings like an eagle cannot be lazy. Isaiah 40:31 says it is they that wait upon the Lord whose strength will be renewed; they are the ones who will mount with wings as eagles. Many people are too lazy to pray and they want miracles. When I pray at night, I don’t stay in one place because I know that after a busy day, I would sleep off. If I am in a place where I cannot go out in the night, I walk up and down the stairs so that I won’t sleep while praying. Many people can’t even fast for three days, yet to cast out demons. Jesus said:

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21

When I got born again, we resumed in church on Sunday morning before the break of day and were there until the evening. These days, if the service goes on beyond 11am, people would already be dreaming of meals they want to eat after the service. How can the Church take its rightful place if everyone is this lazy?

It takes discipline to excel; even the devil knows it, that is why he keeps bringing several distractions our way and sadly, many of us allow him. If you cannot stay for one hour without peering into your phone, you need to check to be sure that you are not already a victim of the devil. If a provocatively dressed lady cannot walk past without you turning to get another angle, that is the devil getting you there. If you cannot do without having sex with your spouse in a week, then how can you take out time to consecrate yourself to God? You need self-discipline, if not, you could become an easy target for the enemy.

REFLECTION:

Comparing how often you eat and sleep with how often you pray, how disciplined would you say you are?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 19-20

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 23: ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIER!

1. Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See his banners go!

Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory.
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.

3. Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the Saints have trod.
We are not divided;
All one body we:
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.

4. Onward, then, ye people;
Join our happy throng.
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song:
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ, the King.
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 29TH DECEMBER 2020. SEEK GOD’S HELP.

MEMORISE:

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

READ: Psalm 121:1-8

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

MESSAGE:

Often I see a lot of people going through life on their own. They try to do everything by their knowledge and power. Though they achieve some level of success and celebrate it, I pity them because they have no idea how much higher they could have gone if only they had consulted God for help. When you try to do it all by yourself, you age faster and can easily get frustrated, but when you let God help you, when you relax and let Him carry you on His wings, your burden is transferred to Him. I used to try to do things by my abilities before. I wanted the church to grow, so I was doing everything in my power to bring that to pass. One day however, I noticed a strand of grey hair on my head at the age of forty. I asked God why I should be having grey hair at that young age and He said, “Aren’t you the one who wants to do everything yourself?” From that day, I surrendered all to God. After a while, the grey hair disappeared and the church grew faster than I had expected, without any stress on me.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

Our eyes must always be lifted to God for help- not people, not the government, not the church or anyone else; but God alone. Yes, God can raise people to help us like He did for Adam. Adam was in need of help in the garden od Eden; God recognized this and gave him Eve.

“And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18

If however, you are not in God’s kingdom, how would you expect His help when He has said a kingdom divided against itself shall be desolate? (Matthew 12:25)

When you surrender all to Him and seek His face, He will raise helpers for you. Helpers you never knew existed will come your way today in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Lord, I look up to You alone; please send help to solve all my problems, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 12-18

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 18: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 28TH DECEMBER 2020: PRAYER FOR YEAR 2021.

MEMORISE:
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

READ: Psalm 37:1-5

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

PRAYERS:

Praise God for the year 2021, praise Him for every single month of the year. Thank Him for preserving you all through the outgoing year.

Lord, keep me alive to see 2021 in sound mind and divine health in the mighty name of Jesus.

Father let me experience many significant breakthroughs in the coming year.

Father uncover and destroy every ambush laid ahead for me by the enemy in the coming year.

Father please make year 2021 my best year yet in the mighty name of Jesus.

Father, help me to know You more, love You more and serve You more in year 2021.

Father, if You tarry, by the end of year 2021, let me look back and say “Indeed the Lord has helped me greatly”.

Father, in 2021, I will not expend my resources on sickness, court case, funerals or anything evil.

Father, let all Your plans for me in year 2021 be fulfilled in the mighty name of Jesus.

Father, put Your shield of protection around me and my loved ones in the coming year.

Father, give me Your joy in the coming year- joy in my family, in my workplace, in Your Church, joy all around in the mighty name of Jesus.

Special prayer request for year 2021.

I join my faith with yours and pray that the Lord will grant all your request concering 2021 in the mighty name of Jesus.

ACTION POINT:

Have faith in God that 2021 will be your best year yet and so shall it be in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 6-11

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 28: 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 SUNDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2020: THE POWER OF PHYSICAL FELLOWSHIP.

MEMORISE:
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1

READ: Psalm 122:1-2

1. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

2. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

MESSAGE:
Technology is a good thing; it is very effective in enhancing the worship experience, but it must be used with caution so it does not rob us of the worship experience that we need. There is a new trend now where people prefer to sit at home and connect to a service through their Television, a website or social media. Believe me, what you get while watching through these means can never be the same as when you attend the service physically, especially if there is really nothing stopping you from doing so.

When you connect to a service from home, you are prone to lots of distractions. Someone could knock on your door and distract you; you could even remember something you wanted to do and decide to do it while still watching the service. You could also decide to cook while watching the service, meaning whenever you are attending to the food, you are missing something. On the other hand, when you attend the service physically, you have few or no distractions as you and everyone around you have only one focus God. More importantly however, is the atmosphere of worship; being in that Spirit-filled environment should not be traded for anything. The fire from the fellow beside you who is praying or worshiping will ignite yours and you would reach realms you could not have attained had you been sitting at home to watch the service. Jesus said:

“ For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

WATCHING Him move in the midst of a group of people gathered in His name can give you a bit of the action, but it can never be the same as when you are physically present amongst the group. So, except there is absolutely no way you can attend the service based on circumstances beyond your control, it is better that you attend Christian fellowships physically. As you do so, the power of God’s Spirit will locate and lift you, in the mighty name of Jesus.

ACTION POINT:
Attend services physically and make use of digital platforms only when necessary.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelation 1-5

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 25TH DECEMBER 2020. A MESSAGE OF HOPE.

MEMORISE:

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

READ: Luke 2:6-7

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

MESSAGE:

Jesus came into this world in the most unusual way for a King. The circumstances surrounding His birth alone is a message to the whole world. The Christmas alone is a message of hope. It is a message which says that God can bring greatness out of a manger. It doesn’t matter how humble your background is; Jesus had a worse background just to show that you can soar high and rule notwithstandingyour background. I am a living example of how Jesus can transform a nobody into somebody. When I was growing up in my village, we were so poor that even the poor people in the village called us poor. When my father brought an umbrella, the entire family celebrated; that is how poor we were. I never wore shoes until I was eighteen years old, and those I wore on that day were borrowed. But today, because I met Jesus and I am doing His will, people celebrate me all over the world. There is nothing I want to eat or wear now that I cannot afford. I tell you: the message of Jesus’ birth is a message of hope that your tomorrow shall be alright.

Jesus could have chosen to come from the best tribe and place in Israel, but He chose Nazareth, Nazareth was the lowest parlance. Jesus’ coming from Nazareth tells us that God does not discriminate against the lowly so He made sure His son came from one of them. John 1:46 says:

“…Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

Some may have asked “Can anything good come out of your family?” The answer you should give them is “Yes, I am the good thing that is coming out of my family”. Nazareth has become popular all over the world now because of Jesus. You will bring fame and blessings to your family in the mighty name of Jesus.

The wise will tell you that if you want to achieve what someone has does before, then you should copy that person. Copy Jesus. Read all that is recorded in the Bible about Him and just copy Him. Your greatness is assured in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Lord, help me to emulate the very character of Jesus during His earthly ministry.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 John 1-5

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 21: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD.

1. Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

2. Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!

3. All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
The Son, and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven—
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 24TH DECEMBER 2020. MORE THAN CONQUERORS

MEMORISE:

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37

READ: 1 John 4:4

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

MESSAGE:

Someone once gave an analogy on what it means to be more than a conqueror’: When a boxer gets into the ring for a bout, he receives blows and jabs from the opponent; he bleeds and has a swollen face, but in the end if he knocks out his opponent, he is declared the winner. After receiving the belt, he hands if over to his wife. While he is conqueror, his wife is the one who is more than conqueror because without fighting at all, she got what the conqueror fought for.

Our memory verse says “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” This means that, as Jesus’ bride, He has already given you victory without a fight; thus, you are more than a conqueror!

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus, our bridegroom has overcome the world on our behalf already. Therefore, no matter the tribulation around, we will never be down; we will soa above it. He has also overcome poverty for your sake. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says:
“ For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

As long as you are His bride, regardless of your present financial situation, you can’t die poor. Likewise, Christ has triumphed over sicknesses for you so no disease can stay in your body. Isaiah 53:5 tells us:
“ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Are you His bride? Are you submissive to Him? Do you do His will? Surrender all to Him today and you will become more than a conqueror.

KEY POINT:

As long as you are Christ’s bride, rest assured of continuous triumph.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Peter 1-3

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 10: I AM A VICTOR.

1
Yes, I know I am a victor
For the Bible tells me so
God made me more than a conqueror
Much stronger than all my foes

CHORUS
Jesus loves me and I love Him
Together we rule the world
Christ with me I will overcome
By His Blood, His Name, His Word

2
Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than demons I am
To Satan I am a terror
I am free, o yes, I am

3
Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than lack, poverty
All my needs Jesus provides for
I have life abundantly

4
Yes, I know I am a victor
Barrenness no more indeed
Fruitful is the God I live for
All my dreams shall be fulfilled

5
Yes, I know I am a victor
By His strength I shall succeed
No more loss and no more failure
Glory to glory proceed

6
Yes, I know I am a victor
No more sorrow, no despair
Jesus Christ is my own Succour
Tomorrow is joy and cheer

7
Yes, I know I am a victor
Very soon I’ll reign with Him
His promise is my sure anchor
He’s coming to take me home

8
Jesus loves me and I love Him
We rule this world together
As He is so right now I am
Hear me shout Halleluyah

9
Jesus loves me Halleluyah
Hear me shout Halleluyah
Halleluyah, Halleluyah
Glory be to God on high

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY 23RD DECEMBER 2020. YOUR CASE IS DIFFERENT.

MEMORISE:

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Psalm 91:7

READ: Psalm 91:1-16

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

MESSAGE:

When the RCCG was to be established in Israel, a diplomat there warned “They will never register any Pentecostal church. Not only is RCCG Pentecostal, it is a Nigerian church, so just forget it.” I insisted” No sir, we will not forget it. Just submit our application and then let’s leave the rest to God.”

For courtesy’s sake, he took the letter and submitted it. To God’s glory, a few weeks later, we got our proof of registration. Many years later, we needed permission from the government for a project. We were told we could not be permitted since we were Pentecostal Church, and not registered. They were surprised when we went back with our proof of registration. These only happened because our case is different.

In 1974, a little while after I had submitted my PhD thesis at the University of Lagos, I went on a Crusade at Ilesha and Ifewara while waiting to be called for the compulsory oral exam. While I was there, the Head of my Department gave my thesis to the External Examiner. Ordinarily, he should have posted it, but he took it in person, insisting on waiting until the Examiner concluded his assessment. As a result, the Examiner was compelled to read my thesis promptly. When he was done, my HOD asked “When is the date for the exam?” to which he replied “I have no questions; give him his Ph.D.” In the history of the world, I may be the only one with a Ph.D who did not do an oral exam. Only because my case is different.

From today, doors will open everywhere you turn. While others may be cast down, you shall experience a lifting. Nothing will be impossible for you. From today, anywhere you go, anything you touch or intend to do shall be treated as different in a positive way by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Your case is different because the Lord has chosen you. 1 Peter 2:9 says:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”

PRAYER POINT:

Father, make me Your special child so that in everything I do, my case will be different positively, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 1-4

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.

o 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 pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!

4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2020. DANGERS OF INGRATITUDE.

MEMORISE:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21

READ: Judge 15:14-19

14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.

15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.

16 And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.

17 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.

18 And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

19 But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.

MESSAGE:

One day, I asked God why He punished king Saul so much while David who committed more sins was called the man after His heart. He responded by telling me to read 2 Samuel 6:14:

“And David danced before the Lord with all his might…”

Then He asked me to look for a place where Saul danced for Him. I searched and couldn’t find. I further decided to check where he said thank you to God somehow, but I didn’t find any. Not even when God raised him to be king. It was clear then that Saul’s downfall was majorly due to ingratitude.

Another person who failed due to ingratitude is Samson. All the time that the Bible records that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he did great exploits, not once did he say, “Thank you Lord”. In fact, probably the most glaring of such incidents was in Judges 15:17-18:
“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi. And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?”

Just after exploits so great that even he acknowledged they were from God, instead of giving thanks, all he did was complain. Ingratitude is a pointer to pride. Proverbs 16:18 says that pride goes before a fall. Ungrateful people are proud and are heading for a fall. When you see a person who is always grateful, you see humility in the fellow and since God gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5), the grace of God will always take the person higher. Whatever chance you get, always remain grateful to God. Be grateful for even the little things that others take for granted; be grateful that you can sleep and wake the next day, that you can walk, that you can talk, that you can wear your clothes by yourself, that you can eat, that you can use the bathroom, that you can still, have a sound mind. In everything and for everything, give thanks for this is the will of God (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

PRAYER POINT:

Father, I am grateful for all that You are doing for me; please Lord, help me never to be ungrateful.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 11-13

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 21: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD.

1. Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

2. Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!

3. All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
The Son, and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven—
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

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