Monthly Archives: October 2021

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2021. VICTORY OVER TEMPTATIONS I.

MEMORISE:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

READ: Proverbs 1:11-15
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

MESSAGE:
The irony of life in the spiritual realm is that the devil is prosecutor. The Bible says in Revelation 12 :9 -10:
“ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

Despite the scripture above, there are blessings attached to overcoming temptations. Revelation 2:26 says “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:”

It takes genuine love for God to be able to overcome temptations. Joseph in Egypt was able to overcome the temptation of sleeping with his master’s wife because of the love he had for God (Genesis 39:9).

Today’s text gives us some insight as to how we can overcome temptations- we are to avoid the company of sinners and reject their ways. There would always be temptations as long as we are alive. Temptation in itself is not a sin, but falling into it is the sin. The sinful thoughts that the devil flashes at you do not become sins until you begin to entertain and act on them. It is our resistance that makes us overcomers. Hebrews 12:4 says:
“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”

We must also avoid doing anything that could bring about temptations. For example, why would you carry a member of the opposite sex that is not your spouse in your lap? Remember: you are still flesh and blood. Let us learn from Joseph who fled Potiphar’s wife’s seduction so as not to sin against God (Genesis 39:7-12).

God has promised to always provide for us a way of escape from every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). Joseph used the escape route God provided and the enemy was unable to destroy the glory ahead of him.

I pray you will always overcome every temptation from now, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, “…..lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil….” (Matthew 6:13).

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2Ecclesiates 10-12.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 11: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR.
1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

o Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2021. THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY.

MEMORISE:
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

READ: Psalm 24:7-10
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

MESSAGE:
Many Christians are fearful in the face of attacks from the kingdom of darkness. This attitude is unlike that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon. These young Hebrew men knew their God to be strong and mighty and they made bold to declare this to King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 13:16-18).
Our God is strong and mighty in battle. He has never lost and can never lose any war. As I have preached on many occasions, our God is a war-Lord on land, according to 2 Chronicles 20:22-23. Also, is more effective than any Chief of Naval Staff when it comes to sea battles, according to Exodus 14:23-31. The Lord Strong and Mighty is more effective than any Chief of Air Staff when it comes to offensive air battles, according to Isaiah 30:30. This was proven in the battle He fought on behalf of the children of Israel under the leadership of Joshua in Joshua 10:11:
“And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.”

You have no reason to fear any attack of the enemies. The Psalmist says:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

Isaiah 59:20 gives the condition that guarantees divine defense for the children of God: “…..unto them that turn from transgression….” The Lord can only fight on behalf of those who have reconciled with Him through genuine repentance, sin exposes an individual to enemy attacks without any spiritual defense, according to Isaiah 59:1-2. Therefore, ensure that your life is void of any iniquity that could make you vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. Our God is The Lord Strong and Mighty, The Lord Mighty in Battle, according to Psalm 24:8. This is the testimony of every true child of God.

The Lord will prove Himself strong and mighty on your behalf now and always, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please let Your power cause a positive transformation in my life today, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2Ecclesiates 1-5.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 29: WHAT CAN WASH AWAY MY STAIN.
1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

o Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2. For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

3. Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

4. This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

5. Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

6. Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2021. THE YOKE OF JESUS.

MEMORISE:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10

READ: Luke 14:26-27
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

MESSAGE:
It takes unfailing determination to go through life with Jesus Christ. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior includes accepting Him with His yoke- in other words, submitting totally to His will. Indeed, to become a true disciple of Jesus, a person must subject his or her will to Him in totality. The Bible says in Mark 8:34:
“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Identifying with Jesus requires the belief in His standards and the commitment to live by them. This is however also brings the knowledge of truth and genuine freedom (John 8:31-32).

Submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ however, would also bring about persecution from the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ told us in John 15:18-19 that the world will hate us merely because He chose us to become His disciples.

Many so-called born-again Christians and even some leaders in the Church today want to follow Jesus but would not accept any doctrine that preaches “Suffering for the sake of Christ”. One wonders whether such people are serving the same God as Apostle Paul who prayed to know the fellowship of Jesus’ suffering. (Philippians 3:10).

Some people will call us fools when we preach the gospel to them (1 Corinthians 1:18). This however, is a relatively small price to pay to experience the power of God in our lives.

Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus came forward to claim the body of Jesus for burial in spite of the fact he was condemned and killed like a criminal. This is noteworthy because they were important personalities but that did not deter them from identifying with Jesus, even in death (John 19:38-42).

Beloved, let us take the yoke of Jesus Christ upon ourselves. We have to deny ourselves and carry our cross daily. His yoke is however easy and light (Matthew 11:29-30). Those that are not in Christ are under the grievous yoke of the kingdom of darkness that would ultimately lead to eternal damnation.

Surrender all to Jesus Christ today and He will give you rest.

ACTION POINT:
Decide to follow Jesus all the way in spite of the hostility of the world around you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 27-30.

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 WEDNESDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2021. UNGODLY SORROW LEADS TO DAMNATION.

MEMORISE:
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

READ: Matthew 27:3-8
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.

8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

MESSAGE:
The type of sorrow that Judas Iscariot experienced is undesirable. I pray that you will not experience such sorrow in your life, in Jesus’ name. Peter’s sorrow s seen as godly because it led t repentance while that of Judas Iscariot is ungodly because it led to his death (2 Corinthians 7:10). When a person thinks he or she can outsmart the Lord, the result is ungodly sorrow. What makes man think he can outsmart God is greed and materialistic tendencies. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be herewith content.”

Judas Iscariot obviously had allowed greed to establish and grow within his heart. It was recorded in John 12:6 that he had been stealing from the purse Jesus asked him to keep. The greed then grew to the extent that he decided to the Lord Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. He probably imagined that he could swindle the Jewish leaders. Judas probably expected that Jesus could not be arrested because he had witness Him escaping from the hands of the Jews before (Luke 4:28-30).

Judas however came to know the import of what he had done when he realized that Jesus surrendered Himself to be arrested and was condemned. This made Judas very sorrowful. Matthew 27:3. 5 says:
“3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.”

This type of sorrow however is ungodly as it led to despair, frustration, regret and eventually suicide.

Some Christians today also exhibit ungodly sorrow- not for committing sin, but for getting caught, this kind of sorrow does not lead to genuine repentance but rather dries up the bone as we read in our memory verse today.

May this never be our portion, in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
father, please don’t let the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and pride of life drown me in ungodly sorrow, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 21-26.

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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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2021. GODLY SORROW LEADS TO SALVATION.

MEMORISE:
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

READ: Luke 22:60-62.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

MESSAGE:
When Peter realized that he had failed to fulfil his promise never to deny Jesus Christ, the Bible says “…he went out, and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75). This is what the Bible calls godly sorrow. Godly sorrow has it’s blessing, according to today’s memory verse.

In the gospel of Matthew 5:4 we read:
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

When an individual is confronted with the reality of the sinful life he or she is living and certainty of hell, the fellow would mourn in repentance, if his or her heart is right with God. The best way to mourn for one’s sins is to confess and forsake them. Proverbs 28:13-14 says:
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.”

The story of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:10-14) further illustrates godly sorrow, which brings about repentance. The Pharisee went to the temple only to begin to praise himself for all his good deeds. The Publican however, smote his chest and mourned for his sins. The truth of the matter is that the Almighty God considers what we count as our righteousness as nothing but filthy rags, as we read in Isaiah 64:6:
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

As Christians, we should not pile up unconfessed sins and so rob ourselves of the needed revival. Beloved, let us examine ourselves and see where we are falling short of God’s grace of living holy. Let us repent and come back to our first love if at all we have lost our way. Revelation 2:4-5 says:
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;…..”

I pray that the Lord will revive you today, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, I need a revival of holiness; please revive me now, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 16-20.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 30: WHEN UPON LIFE’S BILLOW YOU ARE TEMPEST TOSSED.

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

o Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]

2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2021. DENYING JESUS?

MEMORISE:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1

READ: Luke 22:54-60
54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

MESSAGE:
An adage says “Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are”. The company you keep will go a long way to show who you are, what you do and how you respond to situation in life.

The story in our Bible reading of today tells us how peter eventually denied the master as predicted by Jesus Christ. Why did Peter deny Jesus? one, the Bible says when Jesus was taken and brought into the high priest’s house, Peter followed him “afar off” (Luke 22:54). It is dangerous to follow Jesus from afar. Secondly, because it was so cold out there, Peter moved into the hall and sat down with those enjoying the warmth of the fire that was set. It is unfortunate today that some so-called believers are enjoying the fire or the warmth of sin in the bosom of strange men and women.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Psalm 1:1

Peter, forgetting that he had the identity of a Galilean, sat in the midst of the resident of Jerusalem. He was confronted with the truth that he was a Galilean and follower of Jesus Christ for that matter. Many pretend they are not Christians so that they may conform to some so called ‘comfort zones’ in life, whereas, the Bible says we should not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2).

Peter was not sensitive enough in the spirit to recognize that his location did not support his commitment to Jesus Christ. He denied Jesus to the point of swearing and the cook crew (Matthew 26:74-75). Beloved, let us learn from Peter that we should not follow Jesus from afar. We must not patronize places that would compromise our spiritual health, no matter how attractive they may be.

Sometime ago, I was on a road trip and was accosted by armed robbers. I asked my Daddy why such a thing would happen to me and He said “It is because you are dressed like the people the robber are looking for!” Truly, that day, I was dressed flamboyantly in the traditional attire of one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria and the robbers mistook me for a chief!

Beloved, God wants us to be mindful of how we dress and the people we spend our time with. We are called to identify with the Lord always.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me never to deny You, however tough the trial may be.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 11-15.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 11: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR.
1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

o Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2021. LESSONS FROM THE BETRAYAL OF CHRIST.

MEMORISE:
But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. Luke 22:21

READ: Luke 22:19-23
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

MESSAGE:
A kiss is a very intimate show of affection and it is usually not cheap to give or receive, one would then wonder why Judas Iscariot decide to use a kiss as the code to betray Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:48-50).

For one, Psalm 41:9 had to be fulfilled.
“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”

We must learn that the word of God will forever be fulfilled. Another lesson from what necessitated Judas’ betrayal code was the leadership style of Jesus Christ. He was obviously very close to His disciples. There was no distinction between Him and His subordinates- no class boundaries, no differentiation. As a matter of fact, He washed their feet. Whoever saw Jesus washing His disciples’ feet could have mistaken Him for a ‘servant of servants’. Whatever He did, He empowered His disciples to do also. What a lesson for Christian leaders!

Leaders must also be extremely careful of close associates without being necessarily suspicious. This is because out of twelve disciples, there usually would be one ‘Judas Iscariot’. The truth is, more often than not, there is always a need for a Judas for the fulfilment of God’s purpose for a leader’s life. This is a bitter truth, but it must be told.

There is however, a kiss that betrays, not someone else, but your very self! For example, when you intimately kiss a person who is not your spouse, you have betrayed your spirit man and empowered the flesh. Apostle Paul says that we should abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22) he says further, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (1 Corinthians 10:23). In Romans 14:21, he also says:
“It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

May you neither be sold or sell yourself by a kiss of betrayal, in the name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:
Check the motives behind your actions; it may betray you. Pray that you will not end up like Judas Iscariot, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 6-10.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: AMAZIN GRACE! HOW SWEET THE SOUND.

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

2. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

4. The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

7. When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2021. LOOSE AND BRING THEM.

MEMORISE:
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. Luke 9:2

READ: Matthew 21:1-9
1. And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.

3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

MESSAGE:
Today’s Bible reading is very significant to all Christians, especially soul-winners. Soul-winners are expected to loose their converts from the bondage of Satan and sin. Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18:
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

We are not supposed to dialogue with the devil and his cohorts; all we need is to exercise our God-given authority. Our Lord Jesus said “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19). As soul-winners, we must endeavor to go after entire households and bring them to Christ. The disciples decorated both the ass and its colt for the use of the Master (Matthew 21:7). Before our converts can be useful for the Master, we must work on them by the preaching of the word. The Bible says “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Another lesson to learn from today’s Bible reading is that we must glorify God through His beloved Son. God has given Jesus Christ a name that is above every other (Philippians 2:9-10). This is why the multitudes were singing: “…Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” Matthew 21:9

Our Lord Himself said “…..I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). He said further “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.” (Revelation 3:20)

Finally, both ass and its colt enjoyed the honor accorded their rider Jesus Christ. When we allow ourselves to be used of the Lord Jesus, His honor will rub off on us, to the glory of His name.

Purify yourself for the Master’s use today, and you will be well rewarded for it.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me to carry out Your Great Commission effectively, bring families and communities into Your kingdom, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 1-5.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 29: WHAT CAN WASH AWAY MY STAIN?

1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

o Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2. For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

3. Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

4. This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

5. Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

6. Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2021. THE POWER TO GET WEALTH.

MEMORISE:
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18

READ: Deuteronomy 8:11-18
11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:

12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;

13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

MESSAGE:
There are abundant blessings in the Kingdom of God. It therefore means that it is a wise decision to seek His Kingdom in perfect obedience of the word of God (Matthew 6:33). Deuteronomy 8:18 says:
“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

Many people think that a life of holiness is one of poverty. This is a lie of the devil and unfortunately, he has succeeded in making many people believe that unless they serve him, they cannot be successful in life.

Interestingly, he also tried to deceive the Lord Jesus Christ with this same lie, but the Lord defeated him (Luke 4:5-7).
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.”

Beloved, there are abundant blessings in our Lord Jesus Christ- I am, a living testimony of this. For example, before I gave my life to Christ, I used to borrow money from my driver to fuel my car two weeks into the new month. It was after I gave my life to Christ that I began to know the true meaning of prosperity. The Psalmist says that unless the Lord builds the house, the builders only labor in vain (Psalm 127:1). Apostle Paul corroborates this in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 by saying “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

One of my children-in-the-Lord trusted in his ability to work hard so he made a habit of always working overtime. However, he still could not make ends meet in spite of being a child of God. His situation later changed positively when he realized that God has to bless the work of our hands for us to be truly successful.

It is only God who blesses without adding sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).

Seek Him genuinely today and He will give you the power to get wealth with no sorrow in it.

PRAYER POINT:
Thank You, Lord for giving me the power to get wealth. I declare that I am blessed of the Lord, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 26-29.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 25: THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

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

o Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2. There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

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

4. There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

5. There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2021. THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.

MEMORISE:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

READ: Numbers 21:7-9
7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

MESSAGE:
The advent of sin into the human race brought a lot of calamities into the world, chief among which is sickness. The good news, however is that the Almighty God is also ready to help the human race to get over this. Deuteronomy 7:15 says:
“ And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.”

In our Bible reading today, the children of Israel sinned against the Lord and He sent fiery serpents to kill them. After much pleading by Moses their leader, God decided to help them. Numbers 21:8-9 says:
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.”

Unfortunately, some people refused to look and live that day. The Bible says further “either let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.” (1 Corinthians 10:9). Jesus said that, just as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness and all who looked up at it were healed, so also would He save all those who would look up to Him (John 3:14). Jesus has already made provision for our healing through His stripes (1 Peter 2:24) if we look up to Him.

Beloved, what infirmities are you suffering from? Have you suffered by the hands of physicians to no avail, like the woman with the issue of blood (Matthew 9:20-22)? Put your faith in Jesus Christ today. He is the great physician and will heal you as He did the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9).

To enjoy divine healing however, you must belong to the Great Physician. The food meant for children cannot be given to dogs or slaves according to Mark 7:26-30. Surrender your life in totality to the Lord Jesus Christ today and He will prove to you that He is indeed the Great Physician.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, You are the Great Physician. Please heal all my infirmities today in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 21-25.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 20: PRAISE TO THE LORD ALMIGHTY.
1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

2. Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

3. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

4. Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

5. Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

6. Praise to the Lord, oh, let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him;
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

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