Monthly Archives: May 2021

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 1ST JUNE 2021. IS GOD SILENT?

MEMORISE:

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: Isaiah 59:1

READ: Isaiah 59:1-3.

1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

MESSAGE:
Usually, when people think God is silent, He may be speaking but they are just not listening. At other times, they don’t want to accept what He has to say. God can also be silent when your covenant with Him has been broken. This happened with King Saul who wanted to hear from God as well as familiar spirits.

If you have prayed to know God’s mind on certain issues and He seems to be silent, turn the searchlight on yourself. God is never at fault; check your heart, sincerity and willingness to accept His plan for you. God refuses to speak to some people simply because they have idols in their hearts. Never allow your desire to stand between you and God. When it appears as if God is silent, then there may be something you have to give up. Ezekiel 14:3 says:
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?”

Some people cannot hear God because sin has created a barrier between them and God (Isaiah 59:1-3) or they have a wrong motive. James 4:3 says:
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

For your prayers to be answered, you need to bring down the glory of God. God’s glory brings deliverance. Psalm 24:8 says the Lord of glory is strong and mighty in battle. I recall a student who wet himself in an examination hall. He was going to be excused from the hall when he asked the people around to send for his pastor. I was called and briefed of what happened. I got to the place and discerning that the boy was under some demonic manipulation, I commanded the foul spirit to lose its hold in Jesus’ name. God answered and he was immediately set free. He changed his clothes, returned to the hall and finished before everybody else. Just imagine what would have happened if I had not been in tune with the Spirit of God to know what to do.

The shortest way of calling God’s attention when it seems He is silent is through intense praise. God dwells in the praises of His people. His glory announces His person and presence; it is a revelation of His power and awesomeness. No enemy can stand His glory. Call on Him today, listen to what He has to say and watch your life turn around for good.

ACTION POINT:
Meditate over all what God has told you in the past and see whether you have ignored any. If you have, repent and restitute your ways.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 5-7.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME.

1. All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

2. Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!

3. Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!

4. Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 31ST MAY 2021: THE CHOICE IS YOURS.

MEMORISE:
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Deuteronomy 30:19

READ: Deuteronomy 30:19 -20

19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

MESSAGE:
Sometimes, you have to make a choice between two or more alternatives. As long as you are alive, you will always have to make choices; whether in your career, business, of whom to marry, place of residence or who to serve. For every choice made, there is always an alternative forgone. This is why it is very important to make the right choices in life. It is unfortunate that some so-called Christians want to eat their cake and have it at the same time. They want to be in Christ and in the world simultaneously. 1 John 2:15-17 has no meaning to them.
Jeremiah 21:8 says:
“And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.”

Beloved, one of the most critical choices you have to make in life is the one between death and life. This is because it determines the kind of life you will live on earth and where you will spend eternity. You see, being a follower of a hero is not as important as knowing his or her final destination. Jesus has made it clear that as many who serve and follow Him will be with Him in glory (John 12:26). Moses called Heaven and earth to witness when he was asking the children of Israel to choose between the god of the gentiles and the God of their fathers- in other words, between the life-giving God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the dead gods of the Philistines and other neighbors among whom they lived. who is your master- Jesus or Satan?

After death, no one would be able to switch over to the destination of a master he or she did not serve while on earth. You cannot be with Jesus in eternity if you were not His follower before death took you away from the earth. You must choose wisely whom you will serve today- Jesus Christ or Satan. Beloved, I encourage you to choose Jesus Christ, the Giver of life, so that you can spend eternity with Him in heaven. Remember, there is no repentance or switching of allegiance in the grave (Hebrews 9:27).

God bless you as you choose Christ today.

ACTION POINT:
Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior today; if you have already done so, keep living holy for Him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 1-4.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY 29TH MAY 2021. THE KEY TO LONG LIFE AND PROSPERITY.

MEMORISE:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Ephesians 6:1

READ: Ephesians 6:1-3

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

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

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

MESSAGE:
Everybody keeps hoping that his or her tomorrow will be glorious and of course would not want to die before it manifests. Ecclesiastes 9:4 says a living dog is better than a dead lion. In the scriptural passage of today, apart from the word of God saying that it is the right thing to obey our parents (both biological and spiritual), it further to announce the rewards of doing so. Of all the commandments God gave to humankind, it is the first with promises. Promises of what? Promises of long life and prosperity. The Bible says in Psalm 119:101:
“I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.”

This is the reason everyone must not only read but meditate on the word of God, in order to do the things that are written therein. The Bible in Joshua 1:8 says:
“ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

It is blessed to live our lives according to the word of God. We will not miss our blessing; failure, frustration and death will be far from us if we choose to live in the fear of the Lord. The Bible says:
“The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.” “Proverbs 19:23”

“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” Proverbs 22:4

Beloved, it is our time to experience astonishing prosperity with long life- the prosperity that does not kill. Let us obey our biological parents as they teach us in the way of the Lord. Also, let us obey our spiritual parents as they feed us with the undiluted word of God. God will then step in by fulfilling His promises and all shall be well in Jesus’ name.

ACTION POINT:
Ensure you read the Bible in One Year directives as found in this devotional.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Titus 1-3.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: BE GLAD IN THE LORD AND REJOICE.
1. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice,
All ye that are upright in heart;
And ye that have made Him your choice,
Bid sadness and sorrow depart.

o Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice,
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice;
Rejoice, rejoice,
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice.

2. Be joyful, for He is the Lord
On earth and in Heaven supreme;
He fashions and rules by His word—
The “Mighty” and “Strong” to redeem.

3. What though in the conflict for right
Your enemies almost prevail?
God’s armies, just hid from your sight,
Are more than the foes which assail.

4. Though darkness surround you by day,
Your sky by the night be o’ercast,
Let nothing your spirit dismay,
But trust till the danger is past.

5. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice,
His praises proclaiming in song;
Let gratefulness give all a voice,
The loud hallelujahs prolong!

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 28TH MAY 2021. HONOR THEM NOW!

MEMORISE:

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. Mark 14:9

READ: Mark 14:3-9

3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

MESSAGE:
Jesus was at Bethany when a woman poured costly perfume on His head. Some hypocrites saw it as a waste of resources because they felt the ointment could have sold for a great price and the returns given to the poor. Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said in Mark 14:6-7:
…Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.”

It is shocking that some people considered what this lady did for her Maker as a waste. To their surprise, Jesus said she would forever be remembered for that singular act as she was doing it in honor of His eventual burial. There are many lessons you can learn from this. One, we should prepare our aged parents for their funerals long before they die. We can do this by taking good care of them when they are alive. This is because whatever fortune we spend at their funeral is a mere exercise in futility. The dead do not appreciate golden caskets, neither do they eat delicacies. Two, the law of harvest will come to play. If we take care of our aged, all other things being equal, the younger generation would take care of us too.

Another lesson we can draw from this story is that whatever we do for God is not only appreciated now, it is kept in divine memory. We see this in Acts 10:4. What this woman did during the Passion Week over 2,000 years ago is till being talked about today in the 21st century. Jesus said the good deed of this woman shall be spoken of wherever and whenever the gospel would be preached and true to His word, it is happening. We must also learn not to listen to what people say whenever we are moved by the Holy spirit to do something for God. We should be like Paul who taught us not to confer with flesh and blood before preaching the gospel (Galatians 1:16).

Don’t wait till your aged ones have passed on before celebrating them; the dead cannot appreciate any celebration. Take care of them while they are still alive, show of gratitude regularly and shower them with love continually. When you do this, they will bless you and you will be blessed indeed.

ACTION POINT:
What is that thing God is asking you to do for Him? What is He asking you to do for the aged ones? Go ahead and do them NOW.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 1-4.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 14: JESUS MY LORD, MY GOD, MY ALL.

1 Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,
hear me, blest Savior, when I call;
hear me, and from thy dwelling place
pour down the riches of thy grace.
Refrain:
Jesus, my Lord, I thee adore;
O make me love thee more and more.

2 Jesus, too late I thee have sought;
how can I love thee as I ought?
And how extol thy matchless fame,
the glorious beauty of thy name?

3 Jesus, what didst thou find in me
that thou hast dealt so lovingly?
How great the joy that thou hast brought,
so far exceeding hope or thought!

4 Jesus, of thee shall be my song;
to thee my heart and soul belong;
all that I have or am is thine,
and thou, blest Savior, thou art mine.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 27TH MAY 2021: THEY BELONG TO GOD.

MEMORISE:
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

READ: Psalm 127: 3-5
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

MESSAGE:
As we see in today’s Bible reading, God owns all children. I know this because when God created Adam and Eve, He later pronounced blessings upon them so they could multiply and be fruitful. He did this so He would not have to go through the same process as when He created them, all over again. Thus, the product of the union of the first family God created became His own reward. It therefore, follows that anyone who claims to own a child is exhibiting ignorance. Exodus 2:9 where the daughter of Pharoah said: “…Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages….” Is a case in point.

God is generous to the point of giving us children who, in all respects, belong to Him. He also promises us rewards if we nurse them for Him and not ourselves. It is sad that today many parents nurture God’s children “to promote the name of the family” or “to carry on the family custom!” These ones think those children belong to them; they miss it and will be rewarded accordingly. There was a woman who spent all her life earnings, training her son to be ‘great’ without teaching him the Lord. The son eventually turned his back against her, due to his lack of the fear of the Lord. What a negative reward!

How then should a child be trained? Proverbs 22:6 says:
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 9:10 also says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

This means “that the knowledge of the holy is found in God’s word”. Psalm 119:97-98 says:
“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.”

In light of these Bible verse, we see that God’s will is for parents to train their children in the fear of the Lord through the word of God, and not fables. Psalm 19:7 says:
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”

PRAYER POINT:
Ask God to take care of His children in the church. Ask God to bless every couple waiting for the fruit of the womb, nine months from today, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Timothy 1-6.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 25TH MAY 2021. ETERNAL INVESTMENTS.

MEMORISE:

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. Luke 5:11

READ: Mark 10:28-30

28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

29 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,

30 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.

MESSAGE:
When God calls anyone to do His work, there is always glory ahead for such a fellow. Elisha forsook the flourishing farm business of his father, and God made him a national figure, such that kings called him “Father” (2 kings 6:21). In the Bible reading of today, Jesus assured His disciples that their sacrifice would be rewarded a hundredfold here on earth and they would enjoy eternal life in Heaven. Our God is not a debtor.
When God called me to work on a full-time basis, I had to leave the University campus where I had been living in a duplex, for a very small apartment in Lagos, Nigeria. The new apartment was too small for my family and me, so I asked God for a bigger house. The Lord then the told me He was preparing a city for me. Today, the Redemption camp is the beginning of the fulfilment of the promised city. I am still awaiting the city, because my Father in Heaven said that we have not seen anything yet. Jesus said in Mark 10:29-30:
“………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.”

Whenever God wants to bless an individual, He would typically ask the fellow for a unique sacrifice. When God wanted to bless Abraham, He set him up by requesting his only son- Isaac, as a burnt sacrifice. Abraham proved his love for God by obeying. God preserved his son and also swore to bless him so much that through him, the families of the earth would be blessed. Abraham was not only blessed; he became a blessing (Genesis 22:15-18). Similarly, the widow of Zarephath gave all to gain all and her family was fed throughout three and half years of famine.

The principle still works to date. If only you would surrender everything to God. Sacrificial obedience as displayed by Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Easter and other great Bible saints, is an eternal investment. As you follow suit today, you will always have more than you bargain for, and more than you can ever imagine, in Jesus; name.

ACTION POINT:
What is it that God is requesting from you? Offer it to Him and you will receive pleasant surprises.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judges 18-19.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 24: 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 MONDAY 24TH MAY 2021. WONDERS OF DIVINE VICTORY.

THEME: WONDERS OF DIVINE VICTORY.

MEMORISE:

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

READ: Samuel 17:44-50
44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.

48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

MESSAGE:
It is almost impossible to explain the wonders of divine victory because the word ‘wonder’, on its own, is hard to describe and anything divine is beyond human explanation. This is why any victory with this combination is wonderful, to say the least.

King Jehoshaphat enjoyed this kind of victory in 2 Chronicles 20. It was a wonder because it was divinely arranged. Rather than organizing bows, arrows, shields, spears and other war ammunition, the king simply organized an orchestra to sing praises to the Lord. 2 Chronicles 20:24 says:
“And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.”

We find another example of wonders of divine victory in the Bible reading for today. How else would you describe a small boy killing a giant, other than as wondrous? When the Almighty fights on the side of an individual, apart from the fact that victory is certain, the manner in which the victory is won would surprise many. When Goliath saw David, 1 Samuel 17:42,44 says: “he disdained him” and “cursed David by his gods.” However, David said to Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45 that he was coming to him “…in the name of the Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”

If you look carefully, you would see some elements of spiritual power play in this story. Goliath cursed David by his gods, however, David knew that the warfare would not be won by mere physical prowess, so he quickly switched on his own spiritual antenna. How the contest ended shows the wonders of divine victory. An ordinary stone in the hands of the anointed of God fell the giant that a whole nation had dreaded for 40 days. As a matter of fact, it was the sword of Goliath that David eventually used to severe his head from his body. David believed his God and he was not disappointed. The Lord fought on David’s side and the battle was won. Believe God and you shall be established (2 Chronicles 20:20) ·

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please fight battles for me. Help me Lord not to become a victim of battles of life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judges 16-17.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE.

1. Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory,
If the Lord be for us, we can never fail;
Nothing ‘gainst his mighty pow’r can e’er prevail.

Refrain:
Conquerors are we, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood;
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood,
Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.

2. In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press,
Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;
Not to us, but unto him the praise shall be,
For salvation and for blood-bought victory.

3. Unto him that overcometh shall be giv’n
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from heav’n;
Over yonder he the victor’s palm shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY 22ND MAY 2021. MAKE YOUR REQUEST KNOWN TO GOD II.

MEMORISE:
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:14

READ: Esther 8:1-8
1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.

2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.

4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king’s provinces:

6 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?

7 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.

8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.

MESSAGE:
The Bible reading of today talks about the excellency of wisdom. As powerful as money is, there are things it cannot buy, however, wisdom can get you almost everything you need in life. While you may be able to afford a waterbed, money cannot buy sleep. It is the Lord who gives His beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2). Money can buy education, but it will never be able to buy wisdom. How do you explain medical doctors who indulge in chain-smoking despite being fully aware of the adverse effect on their health? They are educated but are not wise enough to abstain from a potential source of death. Lawyers have been caught in criminal acts. They have legal education but are not wise enough to resist criminal tendencies. Only God gives perfect wisdom, and we must turn to Him for it. Solomon knew this and that was why he asked God for wisdom. He later confirmed that wisdom is fundamental to living a successful life in Proverbs 4:7-8:
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.”

When Solomon got divine wisdom, all other benefits followed. Where there is wisdom, there is wealth. During the reign of king Solomon, other kings would come to listen to his words of wisdom and on every visit, they brought along fortunes to bless Solomon with (1 Kings 10:23-25). When Esther was asked to make her request known to the king, she did not ask for peanuts- an additional crown, jewelry, boxes of clothes and so on; rather she asked for the preservation of her life and that the Jews in the kingdom whose lives were in jeopardy. When there is life, there is hope; Queen Esther knew this and thus went for it. What do you really want? Ask God for wisdom today and every other thing shall be added unto you in Jesus’ name (James 1:5).

According to Proverbs 9:8-12, it takes wisdom to heed correction, especially when it comes from the word of God. It is also wisdom to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. As you do, blessings shall be added unto you, in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please give me godly wisdom to be able to pray aright, give me wisdom to live an acceptable life for Your glory, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judges 12-13.

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 compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

o Refrain:
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 springtime 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 FRIDAY 21ST MAY 2021. MAKE YOUR REQUEST KNOW TO GOD I.

MEMORISE:
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7

READ: 2 Kings 2:9
9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

MESSAGE:
While God indeed knows all things, He still wants His children to make their requests to Him. Despite knowing that Bartimaeus was blind Jesus still asked him what he wanted (Mark 10:51). He did this because He know that our needs differ from person to person and from time to time. For example, while Elisha wanted the double portion of his master’s anointing, Gehazi wanted money and other material gifts. Esau wanted food instead of the right of the firstborn, whereas Jacob wanted the privileges of the firstborn.

Some people ask for peanuts when they should be asking for things of eternal value. David desperately sought the Lord (Psalm 42:1) and had only one desire in his lifetime: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life Psalm 27:4). Beloved, it is the intensity of your desire for a thing that would spur you to ask whoever can give it to you. You must however also be willing to pay the price. Paul desired to know Jesus and so gave up everything to gain Him. God is willing to answer you. Philippians 4:6 says:
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”

How soon you want answers to your request also matters. Some people unknowingly postpone their season of celebration. Some people are like Pharaoh who told Moses he would want the plague of frogs to disappear from the land by “tomorrow” {Exodus 8:8-10). Why tomorrow and not now? You may be asking the right thing at the wrong time. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says “…..I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the is accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

The greatest request a man could make to God is salvation and it must be today if you are yet to encounter the saving grace of Jesus. Elisha did not waste time in telling master that all he wanted was the double of his anointing. It was a hard thing, yet he got it because he knew what he wanted, why he wanted it and when he wanted it. The Lord will grant your request today, no matter how difficult it may appear, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me to be precise and direct in my request to You, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 14-16.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 28: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 20TH MAY 2021. REPENT!

MEMORISE:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1 John 2:1

READ: 1 Kings 18:29-39
29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

MESSAGE:
As believers, there are a number of lessons we can learn from the Scripture readings of today. We see that there is a possibility of breaking down God’s altar. When a child of God commits sin, he or she breaks down the altar of God. When that happens, the fellow needs to repair the broken altar before he or she can make progress spiritually, physically and materially. Elijah repaired the broken altar before he proceeded to offer his sacrifice. The result was that God answered his prayer by fire.

You must know that you cannot walk with God while dabbling in sin. In the event that you slip into sin, God does not expect you to remain in that state; you must repair the broken altar immediately like Elijah did. There are many altars in the life of a child of God that the devil wants to destroy. These include the altar of praise, the altar of prayer, the altar of faith, to mention just a few. By the time you are done repairing the altar, your insufficiency becomes history, your weakness becomes strength and the impossible becomes possible (Matthew 17:20). Don’t allow the devil say otherwise to you; a broken altar can be repaired.

As you repair the broken altar of God in your life through genuine repentance today, the Lord will turn your lack to abundance in Jesus’ name. When the Bible says that we are the temple of God in 1 Corinthians 6:19, it is saying something important. One of the features of the temple is the altar. The altar is very significant in worship because it symbolizes the throne of God. The altar is where God abides and does whatever He wants. It is the place where He issues decrees and orders the events that must take place in the universe. It is a privilege therefore to be the living temple of God and by extension the throne where God abides and exhibits His majesty. 1 Peter 2:5 says:
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ”

Your sacrifice will not be acceptable to God if there is sin in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and repent of every act of unrighteousness now.

ACTION POINT:
Take the Inventory of your life and see where the altar of God has been broken down. Repair it by way of repentance, restitute your ways and cry to God for complete restoration.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 12-13.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 7: 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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