Monthly Archives: December 2024

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY DECEMBER 30TH 2024 FORGET THE THINGS OF THE PAST

 

MEMORISE:
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. Philippians 3:13

READ: ISAIAH 43:18-19

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.

MESSAGE:
We have come to the end of another year, and I believe that many people are thinking about how the year turned out. Many may even begin to feel that there are certain things that they should have done better. It is normal to have such feelings, as they can help a person to make better decisions in the future. However, it is unfruitful to dwell on the past. There is nothing to gain from living in regret about the past.

Beloved, it is time to put the past behind you and begin to look forward to the glorious year that is ahead of you.

First of all, no matter what you have or do not have yet, you must always give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says,

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Yes, the year has come to an end and you wish you had done better, but if you look closely, you will discover that you have many reasons to thank God. If you had died in the course of the year, you would not even be here to reflect on the past. There are so many things to thank God for. Show God that you are grateful because when God sees a grateful heart, He always visits that fellow with a blessing (1 Kings 3:3-15).

Secondly, note that God can make all things work together for your good (Romans 8:28). God can turn whatever you count as a loss into profit for you. When Joseph was thrown into prison in Genesis 39:20, it seemed like a bad experience for him; little did he know that the prison was his steppingstone to becoming the Prime Minister of the greatest nation in the world at that time.

Don’t ever write yourself off; always put God in the will equation of your life. When you do this, you experience a complete turnaround and His tremendous blessings will follow.

If, however, you have been living in sin, do not expect God to help you turn things around. He said in Isaiah 3:11, “Say unto the wicked that it shall be ill with him.” This means that it shall not be well with anyone that is living in sin. On the other hand, the Bible says in Isaiah 3:10, “Say unto the righteous, it shall be well with him.”

Beloved, if you want to experience God’s blessings in the year ahead of you, make up your mind to live according to His will daily.

ACTION POINT:
Live according to God’s word every day in 2025, and all will be well with you. Happy New Year in advance.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: REVELATION 20-21

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 16: TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

1 ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

3 Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease,
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

4 I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend,
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25TH 2024 THE REASON FOR HIS BIRTH III

MEMORISE:

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” – (2 Corinthians 6:16)

READ: GALATIANS 4:5-7 (KJV)

5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

MESSAGE:
Over the last two days, I have been discussing the reason for the birth of Jesus Christ, and I will go a little further today. Before He was born, the Holy Spirit could only come upon certain individuals. However, after Jesus Christ came to the earth and ascended back into heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to live inside every believer (John 14:16-17). This is why He said in Matthew 11:11 that the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist who was the greatest of all the prophets before Him. Do you understand what that really means? It means that you are greater than Elijah, a man who called down fire from heaven at will. The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ paved the way for God to put His very own Spirit in you. Now, you can be like Him in word and in deed. Isn’t this awesome?

As a child of God, you carry God inside you, and this means that you are no longer an ordinary human being. You are now the temple of God.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? – (1 Corinthians 3:16)

As the temple of God, it means that whatever cannot be found in God should not be found in you. Elisha may have died of sickness in his old age (2 Kings 13:14), but because you are carrying God inside you, sickness has no place in your body. Moses may have had anger issues, which eventually prevented him from entering the promised land, but you cannot be limited by such because God Himself is living inside you. You bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and no bad habit or weakness can find its place inside you. The Bible says in (1 John 4:4):

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

You are an overcomer because the Sovereign God loves you and has made His abode inside you. Romans 8:37 also says:

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

No matter what the devil throws at you, as long as the Holy Spirit is still residing in you, you will always be triumphant. Never give in to fear; remember that the Almighty God Himself is dwelling inside of you, and since He can never lose a war, you will experience victory in all areas of your life at all times.

PRAYER POINT:
Thank you Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit to live inside me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: REVELATION 4-7

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 27 – WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

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

3 Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL! STAY CONNECT AND REMAIN BLESSED

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24TH 2024 THE REASON FOR HIS BIRTH II

MEMORISE:

“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” – (Hebrews 2:17)

READ: 1 JOHN 2:1-6 (KJV)

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

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

MESSAGE:
Today, I will continue the teaching I started yesterday on the reason for the birth of Jesus Christ. The Bible makes us understand that God came down in human flesh to live amongst men (John 1:14), and the beauty of this is that He felt the same pains that we feel. There is a proverb that says, “It is he who wears the shoes that knows where it pinches.” Jesus Christ wore our shoes and so, He knows exactly how we feel at every point in time. Hebrews 4:15 says:

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

The best leader you can have is one who leads by example. Such leaders do not just give instructions, they also get down to do the work alongside their followers. Jesus Christ came into this world in the flesh to feel exactly what we feel. He went through the same temptations that we are going through now and showed us by example that we can live without sin. Having passed through the same things that we are passing through, He is a worthy advocate for us with the Father, such that if we fall into sin, He is there to plead with the Father on our behalf and help us get back on our feet (1 John 2:1). What great height of love this portrays! This is why in Revelation 5:1-10, He was the only one that was found worthy to open the scroll because of the sacrifices He has made to ensure that your name is written in the book of life.

Beloved, don’t walk the journey of your Christian faith alone. Lean on God at all times. When you are feeling tempted, remember that He has also gone through the same temptation. Approach the throne of grace boldly and tell Him that you need His help (Hebrews 4:16); He is not the kind of leader that will turn His back on you. He said that you should live holy because He has also been tempted before, and He overcame, therefore, He can also help you to overcome temptations. It is easier for a sailor to sail a ship through a storm if he or she is taking directions from another sailor that has sailed through such storms before.

Let Jesus teach you how to live above sin, and as He teaches you, make sure that you listen to Him and obey Him. You will surely be victorious.

PRAYER POINT:
Lord Jesus, I surrender to you, please help me to overcome every temptation that comes my way.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: REVELATION 1-3

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 28 – GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH

1 Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.

2 Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY DECEMBER 22ND 2024 BE HOLY

MEMORISE:

And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. Leviticus 20:26

READ: 1 PETER 1:15-16

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

MESSAGE:
When God says you should be holy as He is, it is not for His good. God is Almighty and All Sufficient, so your holiness will not add or remove anything from Him. Whether you decide to live holy or not, God will remain God.

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Sin brings troubles, sorrow, chaos, and a low quality of life to sinners. It is a burden on the heart of a sinner. This is why lie detectors are able to detect lies because a person’s heart goes through stress whenever he or she tells a lie. Many people do not live long because their heart is always stressed due to the atrocities they commit. It is wise to live holy; living holy brings peace of mind, wealth, favour with God, and long life. Most sinners think that they are very smart, however, living in sin is dangerous and can destroy them. I will rather be a fool for God so that I can live a peaceful life and enjoy all of His blessings.

Some people say that living holy is hard because they are trying to live holy by their own efforts. When the Bible says that you should be holy as your Father in heaven is holy, it is only saying, “Be like God.” The elders in Yoruba Land where I come from usually say that when a leaf stays attached to a soap, it becomes a soap itself. When you draw close to God, you will automatically become like Him. The way to live holy is to draw close to God. The more you behold His glory, the more you’re transformed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).

If you have not yet given your life to Christ, you should do that immediately; this is the first step in living a holy life. If you are a Christian, you should study your Bible daily. David said in Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” When you fill your heart with God’s word, there will be no space for sin to dwell in. You also need to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When you pray, you empower your spirit above your flesh, and the temptations to sin become less effective on you (Matthew.26:41).

Beloved, spend quality time with God by studying His word and praying daily. This will influence you to live way that is pleasing and acceptable to Him.

KEY POINT:
Be holy as God is holy.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 JOHN 1-5

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 23: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
1 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.

2 Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.

3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.

4 Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.

5 Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.

6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY DECEMBER 20TH 2024 THE LORD WHO PROVIDES FOR YOU

MEMORISE:

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

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 9:8-11 (KJV)

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

MESSAGE:
God has a provision for all your needs even before you ask Him. For example, God went ahead of Abraham to provide a ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac. This was the point where Abraham identified God as the Lord who provides (Genesis 22:14). I pray that the Lord will meet you at every point of your need, in Jesus’ name.

Several years ago, I received my gratuity from the government, and I was excited because it was a lot of money. I had just become the General Overseer of the RCCG, and the church could barely pay me a salary, so things were quite tough at the time. While I was rejoicing, I remembered that I was now under a new management, so I turned to God and said, “Father, what do you want me to do with this money?” I thought He would ask me to pay my tithe, give an offering, and do whatever I wanted with the rest. However, He said that I should divide the money into three parts and give them to three different ministries. Then, He made a promise to me saying, “Son, I will be your source.” He has been my source ever since. Even when it looks like I am stranded, God always shows up with His timely provision. In Genesis 17:1, God reveals Himself as Jehovah El-Shaddai, the God who is more than enough. I pray that Jehovah El-Shaddai will be your source, in Jesus’ name.

Sometime ago, I travelled to minister in the United States of America. After I finished ministering in one place, I was to fly to the next town for another ministration. However, when the plane was about to take off, it began to emit smoke and we had to disembark. The people in the next town where I was to minister were already gathering, and there were no commercial planes available at that time to fly into the town. Suddenly, the pilot of a jet that belonged to someone I know came around, and I asked him about his boss. When he heard about what had happened with my flight, he immediately told his boss, who asked him to take me to where I was going. God, the One who provides for me, already had an alternative plane waiting for me because He knew I would need it.

Beloved, never worry about your needs. Put your total trust in God, and He will show Himself as Jehovah Jireh and Jehovah El-Shaddai in your life.

PRAYER POINT:
Jehovah Jireh, please never let me lack or be in want, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JAMES 1-5

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 27 – WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

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

3 Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY DECEMBER 19TH 2024 THE TRUTH THAT MAKES YOU FREE

 

MEMORISE:
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

READ: John 16:13, John 8:36, John 17:17

JOHN 16:13

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

JOHN 8:36

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

JOHN 17:17

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

MESSAGE:
Jesus referred to Himself as the Truth in John 14:6. Since the Bible tells us in today’s memory verse that the truth shall make you free, it means that if you have Jesus, you are free from bondage. John 8:36 says, If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” If you have the Son, it means that you can never be in any kind of bondage.

The devil destroys many people by putting them in bondage. Also, when he sees that he cannot stop believers from serving God, he will look for a loophole in their lives through which he can put them in bondage. A fellow’s physical strength is useless if he or she is in bondage. This is why policemen arrest people in handcuffs. It is so that they cannot escape, even if they are stronger than the policemen.

There are quite a lot of people who have been chained by forces of darkness. If such people engage in a business that others are prospering in, for instance, they will become bankrupt. However, there is a God, whose name is the Truth, who is willing and able to set them free. I decree today, if you are experiencing bondage in any area of your life, the forces that have held you bound shall be scattered in different directions, in Jesus’ name.

Many Christians are in the bondage of poverty because they don’t know the truth about their wealthy heritage in Christ. The greatest bondage a fellow can experience is the bondage of the mind. There are so many blessings that are available to the children of God, but unfortunately, many Christians do not access them because they don’t know the Truth. The Truth is the Word of God according to John 17:17. The more you study God’s word with the help of the Holy Spirit, the more you will understand your divine rights in Christ and the blessings that He has made available to you. This will ensure that the devil cannot put you under any form of bondage.

Beloved, if it seems like you are experiencing bondage in any area of your life, study what the word of God says about that aspect of your life. Listen to sermons and read books by genuine men of God about that particular area of life. As you study, the entrance of the word will bring light to you, and you will be liberated forever.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, open my eyes to Your truth so that I will walk in your glorious liberty.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: HEBREWS 11-13

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
‘Til 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.

3 There in the ground, his body lay
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
From 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 stand.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY DECEMBER 17TH 2024 GOD’S PROMISES

MEMORISE:

“There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.” – (Joshua 21:45)

READ: HEBREWS 6:10-15 (KJV)

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

MESSAGE:
You can get a lot of strength from God’s promises. Numbers 23:19 says that God is not like the people who make promises that they do not keep. When God makes you a promise, He is going to fulfil it.

It may take a while, but every promise you have received from God will come to pass because (2 Corinthians 1:20) says that His promises are ‘yea and amen’. One of His promises is that you will always overcome evil attacks because Isaiah 54:17 says clearly that no weapon that is fashioned against you will prosper. This is the promise of the Almighty God, and it can never fail.

Deuteronomy 28:7 says that when enemies come against you, they will be smitten before your face. In other words, you are not the one who will do the fighting; you will just watch them being defeated before your face. When they come against you in one direction, they will scatter in seven different directions (Deuteronomy 28:7).

Another promise is in Deuteronomy 28:13:

And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

From the Scripture above, it is evident that you will always emerge at the top, no matter what happens to you. When I was young, I used to play with house cats. I would hold a cat’s four legs, put its back on the floor, and remove my hands. As soon as I removed my hands, the cat would be back on its feet in the twinkling of an eye. This affirms the saying of African elders: “The back of the cat does not touch the ground.” This is another way of saying that no matter what happens to you, you will not lose.

God’s promise to you is that no matter what happens, you will always be the head and not the tail; you will be above, and never beneath. You must note, however, that you have a part to play for God’s promises to be fulfilled in your life.

Beloved, if there is a promise that you are trying to activate in your life, find out the conditions attached to it in the Scriptures, do your part, and you will see that promise come to pass in your life at the right time.

KEY POINT:
God’s promises are yea and amen.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: HEBREWS 5-8

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 21 – STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING

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 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]

4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning ev’ry 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 DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY DECEMBER 16TH 2024 DIVINE LOVE

 

MEMORISE:
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:10

READ: JEREMIAH 31:3-6

3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.

4 Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.

5 Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.

6 For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.

MESSAGE:
The love of Christ avails us of so many benefits. For example, Roman 8:37 says:

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

‘More than conquerors’ simply means winning without fighting. God loves you, and He will fight for you. Romans 8:31 says that if God be for us, who can be against us? This means that no one can overcome you.

One of the many things that God’s love does for you is that it gives you victories for battles you are not even aware of. Many years ago, when I was a lecturer at the University of Ilorin, I was resting on the couch in the living room of my apartment while waiting to leave for the lecture hall. I closed my eyes because I didn’t want to be disturbed, and all of a sudden, I felt hands holding my legs and hands. At first, I thought it was my wife because it felt like the fellow holding me was reaching forward as if to kiss me. However, I realized that whoever could hold my legs with one hand and my hands with the other must be really tall and strong. I opened my eyes to see a tall demon just before it disappeared. I felt a cold sensation throughout my body, but I shrugged it off because it was time to leave for my lecture. Immediately after the lecture, I started vomiting and stooling such that when I managed to drive back home, I had to practically crawl from my car into the apartment. I was in the toilet when I cried, “Daddy, what is this? How can this be happening to your son?” He then replied, “Son, I just wanted you to have a glimpse of the battles I fight for you that you are not aware of.” Afterwards, the stooling stopped.

Beloved, you are alive today because God loves you. Isaiah 54:15 says that those who gather against you shall fall for your sake. It will be childish for someone to think that everybody loves him or her. Sometimes, even the members of a fellow’s household will hate him or her (Matthew 10:36). As a child of God, however, your confidence should be in knowing that God loves you and that when evil forces gather against you, He will always scatter them.

Beloved, never be afraid of anything; you are more than a conqueror because of the love of Christ.

PRAYER POINT:
Thank You Jesus for loving me.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: HEBREWS 1-4

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 13: JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW
1 Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
They are weak, but he is strong.

Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

2 Jesus loves me He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide.
He will wash away my sin,
Let his little child come in. Refrain

3 Jesus loves me, loves me still
Tho’ I’m very weak and ill
From His shining throne on high
He will watch me where I lie. Refrain

4 Jesus loves He will stay
Close beside me all the way,
If I love Him when I die
He will take me home on high.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY DECEMBER 15TH 2024 THE WORD OF GOD

MEMORISE:

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” – (Psalm 119:130)

READ: 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17 (KJV)

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

MESSAGE:
When the Lord was tempted by the devil in Matthew 4:1-11, the weapon our Lord used was, “It is written.” The devil could not argue against that weapon; all he did was to also quote the word of God and try to give it a wrong interpretation. Psalm 119:89 says:

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

The word of God has absolute authority, therefore, any believer who knows the Scriptures will always be above the wiles of the devil and his cohorts. This is because God’s word is final and the devil cannot change it.

How often do you study your Bible? Many believers only open their Bibles when they are in church and the pastor asks the congregation to read the Bible passage for the sermon. This is why there are many powerless Christians today. If you don’t study the word of God, how will you know the God that you claim to be serving and the blessings that He has made available for you in Him?

The word of God must be like food to you. Jeremiah 15:16 says:

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

When you esteem the word of God like the food that you depend on to survive, it will bring you so much joy because, all of a sudden, you will realise that you are called by the name of the Lord of Hosts. Names are door openers. If you are the son of a king, whenever you mention your father’s name anywhere in the kingdom, you will be treated with respect and doors will be opened to you because you are called by the name of the king.

Our God is the King of kings and the Lord of Hosts. In other words, all kings, the hosts in heaven, on the earth, and underneath the earth are subject to Him. When you eat His word, you personify His name. This means that all kings, the hosts in heaven, on the earth, and underneath the earth will cooperate to do your will. Study the word of God and meditate on it every day. Beloved, this is how to walk in God’s blessings for you and have good success (Joshua 1:8).

REFLECTION:
Do you esteem the word of God as you should?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PHILEMON 1; TITUS 1-3

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 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.

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.

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

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.

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY DECEMBER 13TH 2024 THE NAME OF JESUS

MEMORISE:

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – (Romans 10:13)

READ: PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11 (KJV)

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

MESSAGE:

In today’s Bible reading, we are made to understand that at the name of Jesus, all knees should bow. This means that you can take total control of any situation by using the name of Jesus. In (1 Samuel 17:42-51), David said to Goliath, “You have come with all these weapons, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Host.” By the time the battle was over, Goliath had lost his head.

There is so much power in the name of Jesus. If you ask for anything in His name, you will see it happen because John 14:14 says:

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Several years ago, I travelled from Ibadan, a city in Western Nigeria, to Ilorin, another city in the same region. On the way, there was a narrow bridge that could only take one vehicle at a time. As we approached the bridge, there was a sign that read, ‘narrow bridge ahead’, to warn drivers to reduce the speed of their vehicles because if another vehicle was coming from the other side of the bridge, they would have to wait for it to drive by before getting on the bridge. We were already on the bridge when we saw a truck coming from the other side of the bridge at top speed. We didn’t know if the driver didn’t see us or if he just couldn’t stop; a head-on collision seemed unavoidable. There was no time to pray, but there was just enough time to shout the name of Jesus. My driver and I shouted the name, “JESUS.” We somehow passed the truck in the middle of the bridge, and when we got off the bridge, my driver was trembling so vigorously that he had to park the car immediately. In the back of the car where I was seated, I was trembling even more than he was. By the time he composed himself, he asked, “Daddy, what just happened?” I replied, “God expanded the bridge.” For the rest of the journey, he just kept repeating, “Wonderful.”

Beloved, at the mention of the name of Jesus, wonderful things happen. Therefore, when next you find yourself in a situation that needs to be brought under control, just shout the name of Jesus, and every force will submit to His authority.

KEY POINT:

The name of Jesus can never fail.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 TIMOTHY 1-6

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL:1 – ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME

1 All hail the power of Jesus’ name!

Let angels prostrate fall.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown him Lord of all!

2 O seed of Israel’s chosen race

now ransomed from the fall,

hail him who saves you by his grace,

and crown him Lord of all.

Hail him who saves you by his grace,

and crown him Lord of all!

3 Let every tongue and every tribe

responsive to his call,

to him all majesty ascribe,

and crown him Lord of all.

To him all majesty ascribe,

and crown him Lord of all!

4 Oh, that with all the sacred throng

we at his feet may fall!

We’ll join the everlasting song

and crown him Lord of all.

We’ll join the everlasting song

and crown him Lord of all.

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