Monthly Archives: January 2023

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY JANUARY 10TH 2023 SOW GOOD SEED AHEAD.

MEMORISE: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7

READ: Psalms 20:1-3

1 The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

MESSAGE

There is a popular wise saying that in time of peace, prepare for war. Similarly, before you have a need, sow seeds ahead, so that when a storm arises, your seeds will speak for you. Sow seeds of service to God now because a time is coming when you will be so old, you will not have the strength to run around doing God’s work. Even if you don’t face any storm at all in your lifetime, a time is coming when you will face the storm of death. At that time, God will ask you, what did you use the talents l gave you for?

Sow good seeds now because when a storm comes you would need them to speak for you. When you read the story of the sinful woman in Luke 7:37-38, you would see that she sowed a seed that day by washing Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair. She also poured a very costly ointment on Him and Jesus took note of her. May you do something today that will cause God to take note of you.

During a meeting with my covenant partners some years ago, l told them to ask God just one thing. There was a woman amongst them who had been barren for many years and what she asked God for was a baby. She got pregnant and went to the U.S. for tests, but the doctor said that there were high chances of the baby being HIV positive and would have to be evacuated. She refused and cried to the Lord, asking for a sign that would convince her that He heard her prayer. He responded, “Go home, before you get there, you will get a sign”. It was during her return to Nigeria that we ran into each other on the plane. She started screaming and when l asked her what the issue was, she explained to me. I prayed with her and a few months later, she delivered the baby safe and sound. The baby was HiIV negative and even her husband who had been HIV positive also became negative. Her seed spoke for her.

May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble and remember all your offerings in Jesus’ name.

REFLECTION

Have you sown seeds that can speak for you when storms arise.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 32-35

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 21: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

3 Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.

4 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

5 Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL MONDAY JANUARY 9TH 2023 EVERYONE NEEDS GOOD FRIENDS

 

MEMORISE: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

READ: Ecclesiastes 4:9 -10

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

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

MESSAGE
Love is a two way street (Proverbs 8:17). You show someone love, and typically, they will show you love in return. If you want to make friends with people, show yourself friendly to them first (Proverbs 18:24). If you want them to favour you, favour them first. I have seen people arrive at my house frowning but depart with beaming smiles after experiencing my wife’s hospitality. Indeed, some people don’t have friends because they don’t show themselves friendly.

Several years ago, one of my daughters came to me and said, “Daddy, I’m this old, and nobody has approached me to say, ‘Thus saith the Lord…””. I said, “With the way you glare at everybody as if you are spoiling for a fight, who is going to approach you and say, “Thus saith the Lord” even if God is actually speaking? You never smile; you are always looking as if somebody offended you, and so, if a brother should even be coming your way, one look at your face is enough to make him change his mind. “Thank God she took the feedback graciously and made the necessary changes. It wasn’t long after that she got married. Love should be reciprocal.

Whether you believe it or not, everyone needs good friends. Our Bible reading for today says for the one who has no friend, WHEN he falls, there would be no one to lift him. Take note that the word ‘when’ was used, not ‘if’. Everyone will have times when they need someone to lift them; God forbid that there is no one to lift you when the time comes. Proverbs 18:24 says that there are some friends that stick closer than a brother. You need friends, so show yourself friendly to those around you.

You must, however, choose your friend carefully because, as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), so does evil communication (bad company) corrupt good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). Everyone needs good friends, and the greatest friend of all is our Lord Jesus Christ. Surrender your life to Him today if you haven’t, so you can also become His friend (John 15:15).

REFLECTION
Are you friendly to your neighbours and colleagues?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 29-31

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY JANUARY 8TH 2023 JOY UNSPEAKABLE

MEMORISE: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1 Peter 1:8

READ: 1 Corinthians 2:9

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

MESSAGE

Many have heard the term ‘Joy Unspeakable’, but only a few have ever experienced it. That is the kind of joy that overwhelms you so much that even when you want to express it verbally, you would find yourself speechles. Some years ago, we had a programme in a town called Ota in Ogun State, Nigeria. A lady who had been barren for several years came there that day asking for prayers, after her husband’s relatives had threatened to throw her out within the year. There were many people so l didn’t even know who l prayed for. The following year, we were holding another programme somewhere else, with a long queue of those who wanted me to pray for them. Unknown to me, this same lady was there and when it got to her turn, she kept opening her mouth to speak but said nothing. Finally, she was able to utter just one word “Jesus”.

When she finally was able to speak, she explained that she was that woman l had pray for the previous year. It was then l realized why she had been speechless earlier; she was carrying a baby on her left and another on her right – she had given birth to twins. I pray you will soon experience joy unspeakable, in Jesus’ name.

Our memory verse. (1 Peter 1:8) says if you believe in God, then He will make available to you joy unspeakable, full of glory. All you have to do is believe in him. Believing in Him means that you act according to what you say you believe. James 2:17 says:

Even so faith, it it hath not works, is dead, being alone

Your behaviour must show that you believe in God. Your attitude must reflect your belief in all the promises of God in the Bible. It must be that of one who goes to God believing that whatever he asked for will be given to him. James 1:6-8 says anyone who comes to God without faith should not even think that he will receive anything from Him. Put all your faith in God and you will experience unspeakable joy as He begins to unfold His glorious plans for you in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, as I put all my faith in you , let me experience unspeakable joy in all areas of my life in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 26-28

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: 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.

Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice! Be glad in the Lord and rejoice!

2 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.

3 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.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY JANUARY 7TH 2023 PERFECT LOVE

MEMORISE: And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

READ: 1 John 4:15 -21

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

MESSAGE

God is love and perfect love can only be experienced in Him (1 John 4:16-17). No matter how strong human love is, it usually has a hidden agenda and will remain imperfect if it is not established in God.

There is a classic of two people who loved each other in the Bible: David and Jonathan. I Samuel 18:4, the Bible says:

And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to,his bow, and to girdle.

Looking closely at the gifts, you would observe that Jonathan gave David practically everything except his shoes. This is because in Bible times, one way to seal a contract is the giving of shoes, without which everything given can be reclaimed (Ruth 4:7). In those days also, only sons wore shoes; servants were not allowed to. That is why in Luke 15:11-24, when the prodigal son returned, the father asked that shoes be put on his feet to show that he had accepted him back as a son and not a servant. Thus, we see that Jonathan was saying to David, in essence, “We are friends, but don’t forget who you are. You are a beloved servant”. In l Samuel 20:13-16 and verse 42, we see that Jonathan entered a covenant with David when it became clear that the latter would be king, extracting a promise from him not to wipe out his family. Later on, he even asked to become David’s assistant (1 Samuel 23:17). Be careful when people say they love you; it may be because of what they can get from you. If it so happens that there is nothing to get anymore, then you would know who truly loves you.

God’s love for us, however, is perfect and unconditional. He loved us even while we were yet sinners. (Romans 5:8). He sacrificed His only begotten son so you and l can be saved (John 3:16). He alone is worthy of all your trust (1John 4:16).

Choose the perfect love of God today by surrendering your life to Jesus. It is only in Him that we have an assurance of boldness on the day of judgment (1 John 4:17) and eternal life (Romans 6:23).

KEY POINT

God’s love is perfect

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 24-25

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 31: WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE

1 Wonderful story of love!
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love!
Wake the immortal strain.
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, O won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love!

Refrain:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful story, Wonderful story of love!

2 Wonderful story of love!
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love!
Still he doth call today.
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation;
Wonderful story of love!

3 Wonderful story of love!
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love!
For all the pure and blest;
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus;
Wonderful story of love!

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY JANUARY 6TH 2023 PRAYERS FOR THE NEW YEAR

MEMORISE: Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. Psalms 65:11

READ: Isaiah 43:16 -20

16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

MESSAGE

Father, thank You for bringing me into the year 2023.

I surrender all that concerns me into Your mighty hands this year. Please, take absolute control of my life Lord.
Father, please grant me divine speed and success this year in Jesus’ name.

Lord, don’t let me lose any of my loved ones this,year. Please keep and protect everyone connected to me by Your power in Jesus’ name.

Father, please use me for Your glory this year, more than ever before, in Jesus’ name.

Lord, any evil that may have been programmed into this year, please take them far away from my loved ones and me.

Father, this year, please open my ears to hear You clearly at all times.

Father, let me grow closer to You and let Your presence be with me at all times.

Lord, please breathe on my finances, l will not spend money on ailments, court cases, funerals and the likes in Jesus’ name.

Father, please open great doors for me this year. Let all my efforts yield great results in Jesus’ name.

Year 2023, l decree that you will favour me. All things will work for my good this year in Jesus’ name.

Your personal prayer requests for the year.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 21-13

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 22: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

1 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!

2 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!

3 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 DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY JANUARY 5TH 2023 LEARN FROM THE WORD OF GOD

MEMORISE: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

READ: Psalms 25:4 -5

4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

MESSAGE

Our memory verse for today says that the workman that will not be ashamed is he or she who rightly divides the word of truth – not just one who reads it, but one who divides it and learn no from it. Many people read their Bibles but do not really learn from it. It has become something done just to fulfil all righteousness. There are many great treasures in the Bible that will benefit anyone wiling to search them out.

When you study the Bible, you should be on the lookout for new things you can learn and apply in your marriage, business, career, ministry or any other aspect of life. Prover bs 18: 15 says:

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

The Bible is not a story book; it is a life manual, and lessons from it must be applied in our lives. Romans 15:4 says “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that the Scripture is given to us so that we can be perfect and thoroughly furnished unto good works.

Living according to the standards of God as shown in the Bible may appear difficult, it is however, better that you discipline yourself to do so because the results would be great in your life. For example, the word of God says you must be humble, so be humble. As a result of your humility, God will give you grace to succeed (James 4:6). His word says you should be diligent and as a result, you will stand before kings (Proverbs 22:29).

Believe me honestly, l have found that God’s word is the key to true success in life. Be dedicated to studying it and applying your learnings correctly from today.

PRAYER POINT

Pray according to Psalm 25:4. Shew me thy ways , O Lord, teach me thy paths.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 18-20

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 3: ANCIENT WORDS

Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,

They resound with God’s own heart

Oh, let the Ancient words impart.

Chorus

Ancient words ever true

Changing me, and changing you.

We have come with open hearts

Oh let the ancient words impart.

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope

In this world, where e’er we roam

Ancient words will guide us Home.

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age.

Came to us through sacrifice

Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved

For our walk in this world.

They resound with God’s own heart

Oh let the ancient words impart.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY JANUAY 4TH 2023 WHEN GOD BREATHES ll

MEMORISE: And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. 2 Samuel 22:16

READ: 2 Samuel 22:16 -25

16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;

18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.

19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

21 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.

24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.

25 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.

MESSAGE

When God decides to breathe for the sake of someone, He may not do so directly on the individual; rather, could breathe heavily to blow away the fellow’s enemies. Whenever you see the Bible say ‘blast of His nostrils’, that is God breathing heavily to blow away the enemies of His children, as we see in Exodus 15:8-10.

With the blast of His nostrils, He parted the Red Sea that was standing in the way of the Israelites to the Promised land and then He made the water return, and o drown Pharaoh and his army. When God breathes against your enemies, not only will they be no more, you will also be established in the place of your destiny. David testified to this in verse 29 of today’s Bible reading.

He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

With one breath, the Lord cleared off all David’s enemies and also brought him into a large place. Do you know that God can do the same for you today? He can clear off all your enemies and take you to that same place that they have been trying to stop you from getting to.

Now, l have always said that the summary of all Jesus’ messages in the Bible is that nothing goes foe nothing. In other words, there are always condition to be met for everything that we expect God to do,for us. What is the condition for God to breathe against our enemies and to lead us to the glorious end He has set ahead of us? It is pin verse 21-25 of our Bible reading – holiness. David said the Lord rewarded him according to his righteousness and the cleanliness of his hands.

Are your hands clean? When a person is faced with enemy forces he or she cannot defeat; an ally stronger than the enemy forces would be required to guarantee victory. The ally would however, withdraw their support if the person offends them. Don’t

PRAYER POINT

Father, please help me to love holy, Lord, breathe against all my enemies, so that I can fulfill my destiny , in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 13-17

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 10: IN CHRIST ALONE

1 In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all in all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

2 In Christ alone who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay

3 Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

4 No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY JANUARY 3RD 2023 WHEN GOD BREATHES l

MEMORISE: Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: Ezekiel 37:5

READ: Psalms 128:1-6

1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.

MESSAGE

The first thing you need to know about our topic for today is that God does not breathe to survive like we humans do. Someone who cannot die definitely does not need to breathe to stay alive. Thus, when we say that God breathes, it means that something rare special is about to happen. Genesis 2:7 says:

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

The Almighty God, who does not need to breathe to remain alive, decided to breathe because He wanted to give life to a non-living thing. He breathed on ordinary clay, and it became a living soul. When He breathes on the dead, they come to life. That is how powerful the breath of God is, and believe me honestly, as humans, one thing or the other will seem to be dead in our lives at one point or the other, so we all need God to breathe on us.

Romans 4:19 says not only was Sarah womb dead, her husband’s body was dead too, but the One who can breathe life into the dead brought it back to life. He does not only breathe on dead wombs; He can also breathe on dead businesses, careers, marriages ministries and many more.

You may have noticed an area of your life where there has been no progress for years; you would need God to breathe on it and bring it to life. Genesis 49:22 says “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall”. Joseph prospered everywhere he went – even as a slave (Genesis 39:2), as a prisoner (Genesis 39:21-23) and then as a prime minister (Genesis 41:41).

The first verse of today’s Bible reading shows the secret of Joseph’s fruitfulness- he feared the Lord and walked in His ways. You have to stop committing sin and walked in the ways of the Lord, then you would find out that what had seemed dead before would begin to bear fruit. I pray that God will give you the grace to Him and to always do His will, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, please breathe on every dead thing in my life today in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 9-12

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 7: I AM THINE O LORD

1. I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

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

4 There are depths of love that I yet may know
Ere Thee face to face I see;
There are heights of joy that I yet may reach
Ere I rest in peace with Thee.

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL MONDAY JANUARY 2ND 2023 SETTING AND ACHIEVING GOALS II

MEMORISE: Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. Jeremiah 30:2

READ: Habakkuk 2:1 -3

1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

MESSAGE

After you have received your vision for the year from God, the next step is to write it (Habakkuk 2:2). Many times the reason we don’t achieve what we set out to, is simply that we never wrote it down. God’s recommendation for running with a vision is to, first and foremost, write it down. Have you received an idea or instruction from the Lord? Go ahead and write it down now. In the course of doing this, you are bringing it to life; you are taking it from the spirit realm to the physical. Writing is your first step towards achieving it. You are to write it down along with what you will do to achieve it.

The next step will be to “make it plain upon tables”. In making it plain, you can break it into objectives or smaller goals, and as you accomplish each of them, you’ll get closer to achieving the entire vision. Note to that Habakkuk 2:2 says ‘tables’ and not ‘table’. You are therefore to paste it everywhere around you where you will keep seeing it over and over again. When you do that, you and those the Lord has prepared to support you can begin to run with it.

Now, beyond writing down what to do to achieve the vision, you must also take note of the things not to do to ensure that your vision is fulfilled. Matthew 9:17 says:

Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

You cannot achieve new things with old habits. There are some friends who pulled you back last year; you need to dissociate yourself from them this year. Check your morning routines last year; did they help you get the best out of your days? If not, then you need to change them. How was your relationship with God last year? If it was shady, then you must be determined to draw closer to Him this year than ever before. Remember, if the Lord does not build a house, those who try to build are merely wasting their time (Psalm 127:1).

ACTION POINT

Write down your vision , make it plain and prayerfully run with it.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 5-8

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 21: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

1 Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

3 Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

4 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

5 Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

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OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY JANUARY 1ST 2023 SETTING AND ACHIEVING GOALS I

 

MEMORISE: A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

READ: Proverbs 3:5 -6

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

MESSAGE
Every New Year typically comes with renewed hope, encouraging many people to set new goals. Yes, it is important to set goals; however it is more important to ensure that they align with God’s will for your life. Let us consider God’s recommendation for setting goals as captured in Habakkuk 2:1, which says:

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me…

Have you asked the Lord about His plans for you this year? Have you waited on Him to know what exactly He will have you pursue this year? If you haven’t, please spend some time seeking His face for divine direction.

Speed is not always synonymous with progress. If you are speeding away in the wrong direction, you will discover that you have gone backwards rather than forward at the end of the day. Only God, who created you for His purpose knows the direction you should be going per time, so always ask him for guidance. Remember, a way that seems right may have death at its end (Proverbs 14:12).

There was a time when we were organising crusades across various cities in Nigeria. When we were scheduled to move to the southern part of the country, l asked God for His will and He told us to go to Ede instead, a town in the western part of the country. I responded that we had just been to Ife (a town just a few kilometers away from Ede) but l still went ahead to obey Him.

At the crusade, the king of Ede, a Muslim, promised to gift us whatever size of land we desired. As we were about to mention a size we considered huge enough, the Lord directed us to ask for a whole lot more. Humanly speaking, it didn’t make sense to make such a request, but we obeyed God, and the king granted our request. Today, the Redeemer’s University and the School of Missions are situated on that land. Let God be the One to show you the goals to pursue this year. If it is His vision, you are assured of His provision and support until you achieve it.

PRAYER POINT
Father, please show me the goals you want me to pursue this year and how I should go about achieving them in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 1-4

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

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