Monthly Archives: August 2021

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 13TH AUGUST 2021: SPRITUALLY BANKRUPT?

MEMORISE:
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:21

READ: Romans 8:1-8.

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

MESSAGE:
People believe that the poor are automatically candidates of heaven, hence they are blessed. This is a misconception of what Jesus meant in His Sermon on the Mount, according to today’s Bible reading. No matter how poor or rich a person may be, if he or she is not reconciled with God through Jesus Christ, such a person cannot make heaven. The Bible says:
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2

The trust is that whether a person is rich or poor, he or she will make it to Heaven only if the admission condition is met. What is this condition? Jesus Christ said to Nicodemus in John 3:3:
“…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Spiritual bankruptcy could mean that a person is not born again, that the fellow lacks what it takes to please God, that is, faith in the Son of God (Hebrews 11:6). Spiritual bankruptcy could also mean that the fellow lacks the fruit of the Spirit and would therefore fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-23). When a person is spiritually bankrupt, the fellow will be ruled by sin rather than the Spirit of God. The Bible further says:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

The woes of being spiritually bankrupt, however, are many. A spiritually bankrupt fellow will not be able to receive answers to his or her prayers, according to Isaiah 59:1-3. The fellow will become easy prey for the devil according to 1 Peter 5:8. Such a fellow will not have spiritual insight into the future and thus, walk into avoidable dangers. The solution to spiritual bankruptcy is new life in Jesus Christ.

Beloved, give your life totally to Jesus today, if you are still a sinner. If need be, rededicate your life to God for spiritual guidance and breakthrough. He will receive you.

PRAYER REQUEST:
Father, please help me to live in abundance- spiritually, physically, materially and maritally, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 96-98.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 12TH AUGUST 2021. DIVINE HEALING.

MEMORISE:

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. Matthews 9:21

READ: Matthew 8:14-15.

14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

MESSAGE:
There are sicknesses that are not ordinary, but rather, are demonically inflicted. Orthodox medicine is incapable of curing such sicknesses. Even traditional medicine with its spiritual backing is limited in such cases because witchdoctors bow out when they are warned by the demons in charge of such sicknesses not to interfere. In Luke 13:11-16, there is a story of a woman who was bound by the spirit of infirmity for eighteen years. Our Lord Jesus revealed Satan as the mastermind behind the woman’s affliction in verse 15-16 of the passage:
“The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” In Luke 13:15-16

God is still in the business of curing diseases – be they demonic or not demonic. He said in Jeremiah 32:27:
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”

God who created the human body can resolve any problem that arises in it. God can fix any problematic part of the human body. He has replaced kidneys, lungs, livers, faulty eyes and so on, in the past and He is still in that business of healing.

There is no sickness too small to attract God’s attention and there is none too big as to intimidate Him. It is left for every individual to develop his or her faith to the point where it would attract the hand of God to perform the healing miracle. The woman in our memory verse of today said “If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole” and she was made whole indeed. Jesus Christ laid His hands on the mother-in-law of Peter who was sick of what someone may call “ordinary” fever, and she was made whole as seen in today’s text. Remember, the sickness some people called “ordinary” has claimed millions of lives in history.

My prayer is that you will receive divine healing today, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER REQUEST:
Father, please lay Your healing hand on me and heal any infirmity in my body today, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 93-95.

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…. WEDNESDAY 11TH AUGUST 2021. BEWARE OF REPLACEMENT!

MEMORISE:

For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Acts 1:20

READ: Esther 1:10-19.
10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.

12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:

14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)

15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.

19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

MESSAGE:
One truth that everyone should embrace is that God always has substitutes. More often than not, the substitutes are always better than the recipients of the original mandate.

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. Esther 1:19

The above Scriptural passage was the genesis of the replacement of Queen Vashti in our Bible reading of today.

When a person feels too big to obey God’s instruction, he or she is not fit for the Lord’s use. Pride, stubbornness and rebellion are kinsmen in family of the works of the flesh, with witchcraft as their first cousin (1 Samuel 15:22-23, Galatians 5:19-21).

There are a lot of lessons we can learn from the story of King Ahasuerus and Vashi. One, Vashi should have known that she could only remain queen as long as she continued to please the king. Two, the portions of Scripture that declare the man as the head of the family are still valid to date. Three, the queen was supposed to be with the king on the throne as at the time he needed her.

A lesson to learn from King Ahasuerus on the other hand, is that advise on domestic household matters should not be sought from official quarters, for example, colleagues. It was not proper for him to turn the incident of the queen’s refusal to an official matter by seeking the opinion of his ministers on how he could manage his domestic affairs. He got more than he bargained for: the recommendation of his ‘service chiefs’ made him lose a beautiful queen.

Beloved, the ultimate lesson in today’s reading is that God can replace anyone who allows pride to rule him or her. We should know that God can replace anyone who refuses to do His will, just as He replaced King Saul with David (1 Samuel 13:13-14). May we never be replaced, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER:
Father, please help me to stop anything that could eventually make you replace me, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joel 1-3.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 18: PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR.
1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

o Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

2. Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

3. Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

4. Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee,
Whom in Heav’n but Thee.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 10TH AUGUST 2021. DIVINE SUPPLIES.

MEMORISE:

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

READ: 2 Kings 6:26-30, 7:1-2.

26 And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.

27 And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?

28 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.

29 So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

30 And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.

MESSAGE:
Considering the economic situation in the world today, anyone can see that divine intervention is urgently needed. The fact that a few nations, especially in the so-called developed world seem to be ‘comfortably fed’ does not mean the world at large is economically stable.

Although the household of the king may not have felt the heat of food scarcity in Samaria as keenly as the masses in our text of today, the reality of the famine was undeniable in that city. In like manner, we cannot deny the heat of the economic crunch in the world today. I pray that, just as the Almighty God made divine supplies available for His children in today’s Bible text, so also shall He do for us in this present time, in the mighty name of Jesus.

The situation in Samaria, as seen in today’s text was so bad that Elisha’s prophecy of abundant provision within twenty-four hours seemed too good to be true to those who did not know the power of Jehovah-Jireh. Beloved, divine intervention defies natural laws and protocol. I pray that the Lord will intervene in every situation in your life as you read this today, in Jesus’ name.

One lesson we should all learn from the story in today’s text is that whatever God says will happen shall surely come to pass. 2 Kings 7:16 records that:
“And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.”

One of my children told of the reality of poverty on the streets of London where some people beg for spare “penny” to survive. According to him, these beggars are not even foreigners! This is also true of other so-called super powers including the United States, where there are thousands of homeless people. Beloved, I can assure you that, in spite of the seeming economic affluence in some places, there is still poverty in many parts of the world.

I pray for you that the Lord who intervened in the situation of Samaria will grant you divine supplies today, in the mighty name of Jesus.

ACTION POINT:
Give your life to Jesus Christ today. If you are already born again, ask Him to turn around every negative situation of your life today, even as He did for Samaria, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 40-41.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 16: O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST.
1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

2. Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

4. Thy Word commands our flesh to dust,
“Return, ye sons of men”:
All nations rose from earth at first,
And turn to earth again.

5. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

6. The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in foll’wing years.

7. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op’ning day.

8. Like flow’ry fields the nations stand
Pleased with the morning light;
The flow’rs beneath the mower’s hand
Lie with’ring ere ’tis night.

9. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 9TH AUGUST 2021. PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH.

MEMORISE:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

READ: Acts 2:46-47.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

PRAYER:
1. Father, I thank You for all the pastors and missions across the world. Please Lord, help them to do Your will always.

2. Father, reveal our strengths and weaknesses in my local assembly and help us to make amends where necessary.

3. Father, please let Your Church never grow lukewarm. Let us never think that we don’t need You, Lord.

4. Father, on the last day, please let every member of my local assembly be amongst those who will walk with You in white robes, Lord.

5. Father, please don’t let the corruption of the world filter into Your Church. Lord, let the Church continue to stand strong and sure, even in the face of corruption.

6. Father, please restore the passion for missions in Your Church. Let the wind of revival that will take the gospel to the ends of the earth blow mightily in Your Church again, in the name of Jesus.

7. Father, don’t let the devil entice Your children with money. Destroy poverty completely amongst Your children, in Jesus’ name.

8. Father, whatever system the devil is creating in the world to kill the fire of Your Church, please Lord, let us rise above it and soar higher than the world systems, in Jesus’ name.

9. Father, shut up forever, everyone in the Church who promotes the doctrine of the Nicolatians- teaching Your people the wrong concept of grace. Let Your people not be deceived, in Jesus’ name.

10. Father, whatever it takes Lord, please help Your Church to be spiritually rich. Let us store up treasures in heaven.

11. Father, please don’t let me or any member of Your Church experience the second death. Let us all make it to heaven in Jesus’ name.

12. Your special prayer request for your local assembly.

THANKSGIVING:
Father, I thank You that Your Church is still standing strong and even growing. Thank You. Lord that the gates of hell have not been able to prevail over Your Church.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 39-40.

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 SUNDAY 8TH AUGUST 2021. BE THANKFUL.

MEMORISE:

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Psalm 103:2

READ: Luke 17:11-19
11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice
glorified God,

16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

MESSAGE:
One expectation of the Almighty God is the appreciation of His children for the numerous blessings He bestows on them. It is unfortunate, however, that humans, from generation to generation have been ungrateful. They forget the goodness of God soon after receiving His blessings and begin to speak against the Lover of their souls. James 1:13-14 says:
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

After the Lord Jesus healed ten lepers, He expected them to return and say “Glory to God in the highest.” To His surprise however, only one of the ten came and He asked “…Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.”

Ingratitude is an act of robbery against God. The greatest danger of ingratitude is the giving of the glory that belongs to God to someone or something else. This is practical idolatry, punishable for all eternity. In addition, it is dangerous not to be thankful because your joy cannot be full if you are not thankful. The only person we can consider as having fullness of joy amongst these ten lepers is the one who returned to give glory to God. Jesus then crowned his healing by saying to him “…rise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Luke 17:19).

We must note however, that the first way to show gratitude to God is to accept His offer of salvation which seems free but cost the life of the innocent Son of the Living God. We must embrace this offer with every sense of gratitude.

Indeed, our acceptance of the lordship of Jesus Christ over our lives is the most profound form of gratitude we can ever express to God. The Lord bless you as you do so today, in the mighty name of Jesus. if you have already submitted to His lordship, begin to count your blessings and give Him heartfelt thanks.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, I thank You for the salvation of my soul through Christ my Lord. Help me to live by His teachings to the glory of Your Holy Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 37-38.

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. SATURDAY 7TH AUGUST, 2021. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.

MEMORISE:
“And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.”
(Luke 22:40)

READ: Luke 18:1-8 (KJV)

1. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2. Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3. And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4. And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5. Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8. I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

MESSAGE:
The statement “pray without ceasing” in (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is not a piece of advice or suggestion.

The importance of this statement is revealed in the words of Jesus Christ to His disciples in our memory verse of today.

Luke 22:45-46 says further:

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

The arm of flesh will always fail according to Jeremiah 17:5. This brings to mind the common saying

“A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian”. A life of prayer is indeed a blessed one.

In the story of the widow in our text of today, there are many lessons we can learn.

One, the judge avenged the widow of her enemies simply because, by her prayer, she compelled him to.

Two, this woman did not change her prayer – she was consistent in her request.

Many people gamble with their prayer lives, either not knowing or not asking for the specific things they need. They are unstable like the wave of the sea being driven with the wind and tossed (James 1:6).

James 1:7-8 further says:

For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Such people don’t even know who to give the glory to if or when they get their miracle. They have alternatives to the miracle-working power of the Almighty, hence, they pray to God, but also seek the assistance of the arm of flesh. The result of people’s reliance on the arm of flesh is that they fail to ask earnestly and so do not have.

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not
(James 4:2).

Our Lord Jesus Christ in today’s text assures us that our Heavenly Father, unlike the unjust judge, will answer us speedily on one condition: if we will pray in faith and trust in Him.

As you ask in faith today, may you receive blessings beyond your wildest imaginations, in the mighty name of Jesus.

ACTION POINT:
Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH) today.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Job 35-56

HYMN 32: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 6TH AUGUST 2021: REDEEMED FOR BLESSING!

MEMORISE:
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:15

READ: Galatians 4:4-7.
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

MESSAGE:
The benefits of redemption are innumerable. Anytime I remember what I suffered in the hands of Satan and his agents before I was redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, I cannot help thanking God for the salvation of my soul.

Fear was a major source of my torment before I met Jesus Christ. This fear was passed unto me from my mother who, by the grace of God, also later became saved. For fear that I, being her only son, might be killed, my mother sent me far away from my hometown. For many years I could not return for fear of death and the wicked people there. However, when we surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ, we were saved and liberated from the spirit of fear. This is why I am praying for anyone who has been living in perpetual fear that such a person will be delivered from that torment in Jesus’ name. Romans 8:15 says “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

Concerning Christ’s redemption, Hebrews 2:14-15 says:
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

Redemption grants us access to the throne of the Almighty God. Once you are redeemed, you have direct contact with the Lord.

This is why I am using this medium to invite you to accept Jesus Christ who has paid for your redemption in full. Confess your sins and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. Promise Him that you will abide by His word and never go back to the world; He will redeem you and blessings will begin to manifest in your life.

Are you a believer still wallowing in fear? This is not your portion! Are you doubting your redemption in Christ? Don’t. Identify the cause of your fear and/or doubt so that you can retrace your steps. You have been redeemed for blessing and you shall indeed be blessed, in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please don’t let anything rob me of the benefits of Christ’s redemption. Let the whole world know that I am Your child, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 33-34.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. THURSDAY 5TH AUGUST, 2021. BE THOU PERFECT.

MEMORISE:
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
(Matthew 5:48)

READ: Genesis 17:1-9 (KJV)

1. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

2. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

3. And Abram fell on his face; and God talked with him, saying,

4. As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

5. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

6. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

8. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

9. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

MESSAGE:
There are many misconceptions about the demand of God for perfection. These misconceptions have led some people to conclude that perfection is unrealistic and so should be abandoned in the Christian walk.

My prayer is that the power of God will come upon you today and you will live in perfection as God demands, in Jesus’ name.

Why do people see God’s demand for our perfection as unrealistics? Many people think that perfection is to be attained by our strength. This is simply not so.

Nobody can attain anything by his or her own strength (1 Samuel 2:9). We need the power and wisdom of God for perfection.

The problem, however, is the belief of many that perfection is unattainable. They lack faith in God to help them become perfect.

This is why the Bible says: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Unbelief breeds disobedience as in the case of the first man and woman. They doubted the word of God and fell into imperfection through this unbelief! This was unlike Abraham in our text of today.

Thus, if you are struggling with unbelief, pray like that man whose child was tormented by demons “…Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief”
(Mark 9:24).

When people see a state of human perfection as a ‘mission impossible’, it is simply because they do not understand the concept from the point of view of the Lord.

How does God see perfection? You are perfect based on your obedience to what God asks you to do – even when it is neither ‘logically’ nor ‘politically’ correct.

Once you obey, He justifies you. We are justified through faith in the Son of the Living God (Romans 8:33).

Perfection and holiness share the same factor that makes them realistic and that is obedience.

Are you always obedient to the word of God? If you are, I congratulate you. If not, you must repent today, because tomorrow may be too late.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please let Your Holy Spirit quicken me to perfection, in the mighty name of Jesus.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Job 31-32

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

1. Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,
Hear me, blest Saviour, 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 Saviour, Thou art mine.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST, 2021. ARISE AND SHINE.

MEMORISE:
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”
(Isaiah 60:1)

READ: Isaiah 60:1-5 (KJV)

1. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

2. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

3. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

4. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see; all they gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

5. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

MESSAGE:
The memory verse for today enjoins us to arise and shine because our light has come. What or who is this light? Here is the answer:

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
(John 8:12).

Jesus is the Light that brings the glory of the Lord to every situation. The moment the glory departed from Adam and Eve, they realised that they were naked. Adam said: “… I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10).

However when God decided to rescue man from this shameful state; He sent His Son – the Light, to the world.

In our Bible reading of today, we are commanded to arise and at the same time, shine. Why? It is because God made up His mind to lighten the world that had been covered by darkness.

It is also because the glory of the Lord has come upon the world.

What or who is this glory of the Lord? Jesus Christ the Son of God is the glory of the Lord. I don’t know how deep you may have gone into darkness through sinful habits or associations; however, I have good news for you: your light has come!

All you have to do to partake of this light is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour.

Matthew 11:28 says

“Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

In Revelation 3:20, the Bible says

“Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

You can rest assured that if you let the Light in, your life, which may have been plagued with all that darkness represents, shall be lightened up.

Darkness is represented by sin, sickness, poverty, sorrow, failure and bondage, whereas light represents righteousness, divine health, prosperity, joy, breakthrough and freedom.

Many of us can testify that there is darkness in this world. The darkness we are talking about is not the absence of electricity, but rather, spiritual darkness, according to Ephesians 6:12.

Are you still in darkness? If the answer is yes, why hasn’t your own light come?

It may be that you have not embraced the Light.
Accept Jesus the Light into your life today and darkness will no longer be able to comprehend or overcome you, according to John 1:5.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, let the light of Your Son Jesus Christ shine upon me today. Let Your glory be greatly evident in my life, in the mighty name of Jesus.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Job 29-30

HYMN 10: I’M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY.

1. I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

REFRAIN:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2. My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise, and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

3. I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

4. I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

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