Devotionals

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 11TH APRIL 2019-YOU NEED DIVINE ASSISTANCE.

MEMORISE:

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1

READ: Psalm 127:1-2

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

MESSAGE

For anyone to succeed in life, he or she needs the assistance of others. No one succeeds in life by being an island. If the assistance of fellow human beings can make a difference in a person’s life, how much more can divine assistance from the unlimited God. Divine assistance is the greatest form of support you can receive to help you fulfill your destiny and reach your goal. Only the Almighty God, who alone is self-sufficient, does not need assistance from anyone. Whenever God asks us to partner with him on any projects, He is only trying to give us an opportunity to be blessed. We see this demonstrated when the Lord asked to use peter’s boat in Luke 5:1-10. One might think that without Peter’s boat, the Lord would have been unable to preach on the lake. This cannot be true, because the one who walked on the sea would have done the same thing in order to preach. The Lord asked for Peter’s boat only because he wanted to make him a famous fisher of men! Just as it happened to Peter, Divine assistance is available for everyone for whoever has been struggling to make it in life with no results to show for it.

Elijah is one man who experienced divine assistance in no small measure. It is therefore unsurprising that he was able to do great exploits for God. During a time of great famine, God sends him divine assistance for his sustenance. God said to him in 1 King 17:9:

“Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.”

Here we see that the prophet and the widow had nothing to do with the arrangement: it was divinely ordained. However the best thing about the story is that the two of them cooperated with God to fulfill His divine will. As a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I have come to realize one thing: when God wants to bless the minister or his ministry, he or she does not need to collect offerings with long sermons. Moses made a simple pronouncement when the tabernacle was to be built in the wilderness, and the people brought so much that he had to make another pronouncement for them to stop (Exodus 35:4 – Exodus 36:7). Through divine assistance, Moses received more than enough for his assignment, even in the wilderness. Beloved, seek divine help today and you will be settled. When you meditate on today’s memory verse, you will realize the futility of human efforts without divine assistance. May God grant you understanding of this truth in Jesus’ Name.

ACTION POINT:

Ask for divine assistance in every project and assignment you are involved in.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 John 5- Jude 1

Jeremiah 15:10-21

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY 10TH APRIL 2019-NOT AS AN EVILDOER.

MEMORISE:
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 1 Peter 4:15

READ: Daniel 6:1-24

1It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

23 Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

MESSAGE
In today’s memory verse, the Holy Spirit specifically admonishes us to ensure that we do not suffer as evildoers.This implies that God has ordained evildoers to suffer some form of repercussion in this world before ultimately facing His judgment in eternity. Who are those the Holy Spirit refers to as evildoers in 1 Peter 4:15? Simply put, evildoers are people whose works are evil. The Holy Spirit helps us narrow this broad classification down by revealing to us the fountain of all evil works in James 3:16, which says:

“ For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

We therefore understand from this verse that evildoers are those whose works are born out of envy and strife. Such people are generally schemers who operate by mischief. Their soul is eaten up by jealousy borne out of envy and strife, and this keeps them awake at night devising schemes to entrap their victims. No wonder the Holy Spirit further says of them in Micah 2:1:

“Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.”

We see an example of such people in today’s Bible reading. Out of envy, these evildoers came up with a scheme to entrap Daniel and destroy him completely to their own benefits. Evildoers usually perpetrate their evil works by cleverly disguised their schemes as harmless. Everyone else within the system is usually ignorant of the real purpose and objectives of their actions, except by the help of the Spirit of discernment.

As a child of God, don’t be worried by the activities of evildoers or envious of their accomplishments, because the face of the Almighty is against them. Psalm 37:1-2 to say:

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”

Indeed, evildoers May sometimes rise to the top in the family, community, nation or even in the Church of God, but they shall be suddenly cut off, as it happened to Daniel’s adversaries. God’s word in Micah 2:1 makes us understand that such people are operating under curse of God. Their wickedness will therefore be returned upon their own head ( 1 Samuel 25:39). I decree that the Judgment of God will begin to pursue every evildoer troubling your life, family, nation, and the Church of God today in Jesus’ Name. However, examine yourself to ensure you are not suffering under the Judgment of God as an evildoer.

ACTION POINT:

Repent of every evil scheme you are involved in today and perform the needed restitutions.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 John 1-4

Jeremiah 15:1-9

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU.

1.While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.

2. Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

Refrain

3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 9TH APRIL 2019-EXPERIENCING RESTORATION.

MEMORISE:Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

READ: Ezra 9:1-9

1Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.

2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.

3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.

4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

5 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,

6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.

8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

9 For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

MESSAGE

Restoration presupposes the loss of something good and valuable. Today’s Bible reading tells the story of God’s people who were in need of restoration after returning from the land of captivity. I believe their example contains valuable lessons for those seeking the face of God for restoration in one form or the other. When a people are carried away into a strange land as captives, there is the tendency for them to lose their identity and character has their virtues get influenced by the environment they find themselves in. The Israelites experience this. After God caused the king of Persia to permit the restoration of God’s worship in Jerusalem through the hand of Ezra, it was discovered that the Priests and Levites who were supposed to lead the people in worship could not minister because they had corrupted themselves by marrying Idol worshippers. To ignite the fire revival and initiate the restoration of God’s people to His worship, Ezra 9:5-6 lists some key things Ezra did which cannot be overlooked by anyone seeking restoration. It says:

“And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.”

Ezra realized that God’s people needed a spiritual restoration first, before they could experience any other form of restoration. He therefore went before God in penitence and humility to seek for His forgiveness and restoration. This example shows that spiritual restoration is obtained only when we are repentant and humble before God. Psalm 51:17 says:

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

In other words, a remorseful heart is the foundation of genuine repentance, and through genuine repentance, spiritual restoration is received (Acts 3:19). Repentance means making a U-turn away from one’s trespasses. Those who repented of their sins in Ezra’s time did not continue in them; they completely relinquished their former lifestyles (Ezra 10-2:17). It is therefore strange that some people claim to have repented of their sins and yet they do not relinquish this sinful lifestyle. Such people are only deceiving themselves (Romans 6:1-2). Beloved, what type of loss have you suffered – spiritual, physical or otherwise? You can be restored if only you continue you genuinely repent of your sins today and come back to your first love for God.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please restore to me all that I have lost, especially the joy of salvation and the hope of eternity with you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Peter 5- 2 Peter 3

Jeremiah 14:13-22

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 2 : OH JESUS I HAVE PROMISED

1. O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my Guide.

2. Oh, let me feel Thee near me;
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 8TH APRIL 2019 :SORROW: AN ARROW IN SATAN’S QUIVER

MEMORISE:

A Merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13

Read: Nehemiah 8:8-12 (KJV)

8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

Message:

Sorrow is feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment or misfortune suffered by a person directly or by loved ones.

It is the human response to painful and heartbreaking life situations involving loss or other tragic circumstances. Sorrow is characterized by weeping, mourning, bitterness, depression, disappointment, failure, sadness, regret and discouragement. It is indeed an arrow in quiver of Satan and his agents, and their aim is to use it to break men’s spirit and determination to move forward in life. In God’s original plan, sorrow and its attendant problems were not meant to be part of the human experience, and that is why there will be no more sorrow in the new heaven and new earth that God is preparing for His people. Speaking on this truth, Revelation 21:4 says:

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Sorrow became part and parcel of the human experience because of our descent into sin and the pronouncement of God’s judgement that subsequently followed (Genesis 3:16-20). The consequence of this is laid bare in Ecclesiastes 2:22-23, which is:

“For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.”

Today, the devil is still shooting the arrow of sorrow all over the world through sickness, poverty, childlessness, terrorism, natural disaster, calamities of epic proportions, separation and divorce, untimely death, and a much more. However, we thank God that the compassionate Jesus became a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”, so that we can experience the joy of the Lord right here on earth (Isaiah 53:3-4). I therefore decree that sorrow will cease in your life from today in Jesus’ Name.

God provides comfort for the sorrowful and promises eternal deliverance from sorrow (Isaiah 35:10). He is mindful of our fame, and that is why He sent us the Holy Spirit to continually comfort and strengthen us (Psalm 103:14, John 15:26).

Through His work in our life, Satan’s evil arrow of sorrow is rendered powerless over us. Have you recently suffered any form of loss, disappointment or pain? I encourage you today to yield to the comfort of the Holy Spirit, pick yourself up from the ashes of discouragement and face life with renewed vigour. The devil’s aim is to break your spirit and make you give up on life. Please don’t give in to him, neither should you contemplate suicide. The joy of the Lord is your strengthen. Hallelujah!

Action Point :

Reach out to anyone you know is discouraged or grieving today with the words of hope and encouragement.

Bible in one year: 1st Peter 1-4, Jeremiah 13:15-14:12,

AUTHOR : Pastor E . A ADEBOYE

Hymn 13 : I AM A VICTOR

Yes, I know I am a victor
For the Bible tells me so
God made me more than a conqueror
Much stronger than all my foes

CHORUS
Jesus loves me and I love Him
Together we rule the world
Christ with me I will overcome
By His Blood, His Name, His Word

Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than demons I am
To Satan I am a terror
I am free, o yes, I am

Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than lack, poverty
All my needs Jesus provides for
I have life abundantly

Yes, I know I am a victor
Barrenness no more indeed
Fruitful is the God I live for
All my dreams shall be fulfilled

Yes, I know I am a victor
By His strength I shall succeed
No more loss and no more failure
Glory to glory proceed

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY 7TH APRIL 2019-HAVING EYES FULL OF ADULTERY.

MEMORISE:

Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 2 Peter 2:14

READ: Proverbs 6:27-35

27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

MESSAGE

When you glance through the news headlines today these days, you will realize that we live in perilous times where the sanctity of marriage means nothing to a lot of people. We are daily inundated with news of men and women committing adultery on unprecedented scale. However, as children of God, we should not be surprised, because the Holy Spirit already warned us that this would happen. While teaching on the perilous times that would come in the last days, He said to us in 2 Timothy 3:6:

“For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,”

The increase in adultery is therefore a pointed to us that we are indeed in the last days. The reason why the Holy Spirit forewarned us of this is not just to keep us informed, but also to keep us in check from falling into the snare of the devil in this area. Speaking of God’s standard on marriage for us, the Holy Spirit says in Hebrews 13:4:

“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”

Be warned that God’s standard is not the same as the standard of the world, and what is acceptable to the world is not acceptable to God.

Adultery is the result of character erosion that does not happen in one day. It is the product of hidden lust in the heart which were not dealt with. No wonder the Lord said in Matthew 5:28:

“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

Adultery always start as a suggestion from the devil or his agents, which if harbored in the heart of a fellow snowballs into events with catastrophic consequences. One of the means by which the devil deposits such evil suggestion into the heart of a person is through the eye. This is the reason why today’s memory verse speaks of having eyes full of adultery, which refers to wearing a look that projects a promiscuous identity. It also means communicating sexual attraction, unholy intention or immoral interest with the eyes or face. It could also mean having a wrapped mind that reads t sensual and erotic desires into members of the opposite sex, no matter how modestly dressed. Irrespective of the form it takes, the key thing is that a child of God should never yield to the suggestions of the devil 1 Peter 5:8- 9. How are you faring in this regard?

ACTION POINT:

Cut down every tree of adulterous lust in your heart before it cuts off your destiny.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: James 1-5
Jeremiah 13:1-14

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: 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 pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
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 DEVOTIONALSATURDAY 6TH APRIL 2019-HE MAKES THE NIGHT GOOD ALSO.

 

MEMORISE:

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

READ: Exodus 14:19-24

19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

MESSAGE

Night is generally identified as the period of darkness between evening and morning. It is a time of rest or cessation from daily activities, which is a good thing. However, because darkness also provides cover for evil activities the devil and his demons come out in collaboration with their human agents; usually commit all manner of evil works against people at night. Exposing their mode of operation, the Lord reveals in Matthew 13:25 that while men slept at night, the enemy came, corrupted their destinies with evil seeds and escaped unnoticed. The night is therefore recognized as the time of peak activity for the powers of darkness, and as the period when evil is easily planned and executed. Indeed, evil flourishes at night, so much so that the night life of most cities brims over with alcohol, drugs, prostitution, gambling, gangsterism and other terrible vices. This situation is especially Rife in places where the spiritual atmosphere is under the control of the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12). It is this reality that has given the night the sinister image it has. I decreed that every problem that entered your life under the cover of darkness be neutralized today in Jesus’ Name.

Notwithstanding the evil characteristics of the night, because God originally created the night to be good, good things can still come out of it. Among other things, the night time provides an ideal opportunity for praise, worship, prayer and in-depth Bible study. More importantly, multiple examples from the Bible and from our life experiences show that God is in the business of carrying out powerful deliverance is at night. I therefore pray that your insurmountable problems will pass away with the night, and you will wake up to Joy and celebration in Jesus’ Name. in Exodus 14:24, as morning approach, God troubled the camp of the Egyptians so much that they knew God’s hand was against them. All their soldiers perished before dawn, and the Israelites woke up to Joy and celebration. This type of testimony will be your portion in Jesus’ Name. In Acts 16:25-26, Paul and Silas went to bed as prisoners, but God visited the prison after midnight to deliver them with a foundation-shaking at earthquake, and they woke up as free men in the morning. I pray that your problems will disappear with the night, and you will wake up to celebration in Jesus’ Name. Lastly, in Acts 12:6-10, Peter was kept in a maximum-security prison, but an angel of God visited the prison that night. Peter’s chains were broken and the prison gate opened to him by itself. He walked out of the prison a free man and joined the people of God to celebrate and praise God in the morning. God will give you such a testimony in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please visit my adversaries tonight and cause me to celebrate in Jesus’ Name.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 13: I AM A VICTOR

1. Yes, I know I am a victor
For the Bible tells me so
God made me more than a conqueror
Much stronger than all my foes

CHORUS
Jesus loves me and I love Him
Together we rule the world
Christ with me I will overcome
By His Blood, His Name, His Word

2. Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than demons I am
To Satan I am a terror
I am free, o yes, I am

3. Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than lack, poverty
All my needs Jesus provides for
I have life abundantly

4. Yes, I know I am a victor
Barrenness no more indeed
Fruitful is the God I live for
All my dreams shall be fulfilled

5. Yes, I know I am a victor
By His strength I shall succeed
No more loss and no more failure
Glory to glory proceed

6. Yes, I know I am a victor
No more sorrow, no despair
Jesus Christ is my own Succour
Tomorrow is joy and cheer

7. Yes, I know I am a victor
Very soon I’ll reign with Him
His promise is my sure anchor
He’s coming to take me home

8. Jesus loves me and I love Him
We rule this world together
As He is so right now I am
Hear me shout Halleluyah

9. Jesus loves me Halleluyah
Hear me shout Halleluyah
Halleluyah, Halleluyah
Glory be to God on high

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONALFRIDAY 5TH APRIL 2019:-THE SURE ANTIDOTE FOR SHAME

MEMORISE:

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. Psalm 119:6

READ: Psalm 119:1-8

1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

MESSAGE

The original purpose of a devil’s deceit is to humiliate man and subject him to eternal fear and ridicule. He succeeded in this ploy in the Garden of Eden, causing shame and fear to cover our first parents like the waters cover the sea. What brought about this shame upon the first man? Disobedience to the word of God was the cause. The Lord had earlier warned Adam against eating the forbidden fruit to avoid grave consequences, but the devil came and lied to his wife that nothing would happen. After Eve was deceived and Adam succumbed to the sin of disobeying God, they discovered shame and fear that they never knew before, because the glory of God departed from them (Genesis 2:25, Genesis 3:10). Just as he did with Eve the devil is still deceiving people today that severe consequence will not follow the act of sin in the life of sinners. Unfortunately, when you look around the world today, you will discover great men and women whom the devil had brought to shame and ridicule by lying to them that there will be no consequences for their evil actions or that their secret sinful act will never be found out. Such people would have avoided public ridicule and shame If only they had known and given heed to God’s word in Numbers 32:23, which says:

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”

Are you involved in any secret sin and the devil is deceiving you that there will be no consequences? The word of God is coming to you today that your sin will find you out. Are you having an extra-marital affair? Are you stealing public funds at your disposal? Are you oppressing those whom God has placed under your leadership? Are you short-changing your place of work in shady deals to your own benefits? Are you visiting pornographic sites in the secret confines of your room? If you are involved in any form of sin, God is saying to you today, “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

Disobedience to God’s word brings untold shame and agony. To avoid or remove the shame that sin brings, we must go back to the word of God and do what it says. As seen in today’s memory verse, complete obedience to the word of God is the antidote for shame. In today’s Bible reading, those who walk in the law of the Lord are described as blessed. They are blessed because those iniquities that bring shame are far away from them due to the adherence to God’s commandment. Shame is the portion of those who do not consider God’s omnipresent nature before committing “hidden” acts. Before traveling to that far-away secluded location for your illicit tryst, remember that God is there. I pray that sin will not put you in shame in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, help me keep to Your commandments, and keep me far away from shame.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 9-10

Jeremiah 11:9-23

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS FOR THE CLEANSING POWER?

1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
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?

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?
Refrain

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 His presence bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Refrain

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,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 4TH APRIL 2019-ONE WITH GOD IS MAJORITY.

MEMORISE:

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

READ: 1 Kings 18:21-39

21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:

24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MESSAGE

By the standards of the world, the majority votes or opinion is the acceptable way of measuring the correctness or wrongness of any idea or way of life. For example, at a point in history, some societies saw homosexuality and other sexual immorality as aberrations, but with the majority of their population now in support of such lifestyle, these acts are now being celebrated, so much so that even some who ought to be God’s mouthpiece in these societies are afraid of criticizing them, in order not to lose their appeal before the world. How sad! Irrespective of the prevailing opinion in such societies, God’s position remains steadfast forever, and it is clearly stated in the words of 1 Corinthians 6:9:

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,”

The doctrine of the world says the minority may have their say but the majority will have their way. Thank God that we are not of the world, and so we are not bound by the ideology or way of life (John 17:14-16). We are citizens of a kingdom, and God is our King (Ephesians 2:9).

As citizens of Heaven, let us not be terrified into surrendering to the world’s beliefs. Do not let their militant way of enforcing their agenda move you. Don’t be like Aaron who conceded to the evil idea of making a god of gold for the Israelites because that was the popular opinion of the majority (Exodus 32:1- 6). Remember the words of Exodus 23:2a which says to you:

“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil;”

Also, don’t forget the words of your heavenly Father, saying in Proverbs 1:10:

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

You need to understand that one with our God is majority (Romans 8:31). Always stand for the truth, even in the face of a hostile majority with the full understanding that with God, you are in the majority. 1 John 4:4 declares that you have overcome the world because the presence of God in you makes you greater than the world. I therefore encourage you to soar on the victory won by Christ Jesus to confidently stand for the truth and speak out against all forms of sin and unrighteousness (John 16:33). Let the whole world know that one with God is majority and resist the lie which says that because you are outnumbered, you have to join the world to perpetrate evil, especially those identified as being socially acceptable or politically correct.

ACTION POINT:

Pray for Christians in societies which are hostile to the message of the gospel, that God will uphold them to stand strong for Him in the face of hostility against their faith.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 5-8
Jeremiah 10:17-11:8

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 10: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

3. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though- none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

  1. 5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
    Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
    Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
    No turning back, no turning back.
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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY 3RD APRIL 2019-BE QUITE!

MEMORISE:

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:26

READ: Isaiah 7:1-7

1And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

2 And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.

3 Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field;

4 And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

5 Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,

6 Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal:

7 Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.

MESSAGE

A calm, peaceful and restrained attitude to life, especially in the face of adverse circumstance, is God’s desire for His people. He revealed His thoughts on this to us in Isaiah 32:17-18, saying:

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;”

One proof that we have received the gift of righteousness from Jesus after we are saved is the presence of peace in our heart, and the effect of this peace is quietness even in the midst of adversity. As God’s own special people, He does not want us to panic or be troubled in our hearts like the people of the world are whenever the enemy blows the wind of adversity (John 14:1). In today’s Bible reading, we see a king who’s heart melted when he was told of his enemies’ conspiracy against him. In response to this, God send Prophet Isaiah to deliver his word to him saying in Isaiah 7:4a:

“………Take heed, and be quiet”

As kings and priests to our God, He says to us the same words He sent to King Ahaz – be quiet (Revelations 1:6). Are you surrounded by the dark clouds of life, with the winds of adversity blowing strongly against you? God is saying to you today “Be quiet”. You may ask why should I be quiet? It is because in your quiet submission to God, He will arise on your behalf, and your enemies shall be scattered. No Wonder Isaiah 30:15 says:

“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:”

Jesus, Our perfect example, was presented as a man of quiet temperament (Matthew 12:14-20). He did not go around making noise or panicking over situations rather, He ruled over circumstances around Him by decree (Mark 4 35-39). In order to be like our Master, we are to be peaceful and quiet when in distress, when the enemy rises against us like a flood, and in the face of destructive criticism or rebellion. In these circumstances, one can only be quiet as a result of faith in God and to totally trust in his ability to work things out in our favor. In reality, whenever a child of God goes into quiet mode, God takes it as an invitation to step in on behalf of the fellow. You must realize that you are limited in all aspects of life, and stop fighting your battles all by yourself. Switch to quiet mode today and let Jesus take over your case He will give you the rest that you need, as He promised in Matthew 11:28.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, let Your righteousness continually manifest as quietness and confidence in my spirit in Jesus Name.

 

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU.

1.While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.

2. Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

Refrain

3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 2ND APRIL 2019-EVIL ASSOCIATION.

MEMORISE:

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33

READ: 1 Kings 22:29-33

29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.

30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.

31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.

32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.

33 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

MESSAGE

Many have argued that the company a person keeps does not necessarily have much impact on his or her character or destiny. They say that many people have become great and successful in spite of their warped lifestyles and bad behavior. The One who molded us disagrees with these notions. He declared in His word that evil communication corrupts good manners (1 Corinthians 15:33). Irrespective of a person’s background or lifestyle, the company you keep and the kind of information you consume determines the predominant thoughts that rules your hearts, and these go a long way to establish who you are and the kind of future that awaits you (Proverbs 23:7, Psalm 1:1- 4).

It would be a great error for you to think of the turn “evil association” only with respect to interaction with unbelievers; it can also apply to interpersonal relationships among Christians. God wants us to shun the evil activities of the ungodly just as much as He wants us to avoid every appearance of evil among the Christians. The Holy Spirit teaches us that those who perpetrate backbiting, disobedience, rebellion and false doctrine among the Brethren should be identified and avoided (2 Thessalonians 3:6). He explicitly says in Romans 16:17:

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

When I was much younger in Ministry, I met a man of God who I looked up to. I admired him because of what I thought was the grace of God upon his life, until I accidentally discovered that he was doing things by diabolical means. I quickly moved away from him from that day, and I made sure our paths never crossed again. Don’t be deceived, no matter how wise or careful you are, continued association with anyone leaving contrary to the word of God will eventually spell doom for you. I pray that you will not share in the punishment or retribution of evil people in Jesus’ Name.

The word of God in Psalm 1:3- 4 says clearly that obedient children of God are like a tree planted by the rivers of water that produces fruit in its season, and whatsoever they do prospers. However, the same passage also say that unbelievers and ungodly “Christians” are like chaff that the wind blows away. Sinners can never have lasting peace as they are bound to perish suddenly (Psalm 73:17-18). Therefore, come out from among them, separate yourself and stay away from evil associations that can corrupt your godly nature.

KEY POINT:

Whatever you permit around you will end up influencing you.

 

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 10: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

3. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though- none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

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