Devotionals

Memorise: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Read: Luke 5:1-7
1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 36-37, Revelation 16
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AS REVEALED BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE IN TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

1. The Lord revealed Himself to us as the God of abundance by declaring these profound words about Himself in Psalm 50:9-10: “I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.”
2. Having experienced the reality of this truth, Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:19, penned these words to bear witness to the Lord’s capability as the God of abundance: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
3. Through this scripture, the Holy Spirit also reveals to us that Jesus Christ is the channel through whom the abundance of God is made accessible. Why is this so? For you to understand the reason why, you need to know that Jesus Christ is the Living Word through whom all things were created. Hebrews 1:2 says this concerning Him: “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”
4. This means that the earth and the fullness of it are His handwork – the handwork of the Word who became flesh (John 1:1-14). We can therefore get nothing in this world except through the Owner of it all.
5. The story in our Bible text demonstrates that this material world is indeed at the disposal of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter had toiled all night long, but he caught nothing in his fishing net. However, when the God of abundance released His word, there was a great catch.
6. Beloved, what are those needs that have been bothering your mind? Tell it to Jesus today. He is the God of abundance, and He is capable of meeting you at the points of your need.
7. When He came to this world, He decided to become poor in your place so that His riches may come to you. The Bible, in 2 Corinthians 8:9, says, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
8. The only situation that can prevent you from benefitting from the self-imposed poverty of the Lord Jesus Christ is your refusal to accept Him your Lord and Saviour, and your refusal to walk by His principles.
9. I pray for you today that the abundant riches of God in Christ Jesus will be your portion in Jesus’ Name.

What is required of us to enjoy our God of abundance is holiness and obedience. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: Isaiah 1:18‭-‬19 Now is the time for us to start enjoying what God has made available for us through Christ Jesus by surrendering to Him totally. We shall enjoy plenty on every side in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional and may God strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please meet me at the points of my need today according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
HYMN
1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.
2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might.
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above,
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
3. To all life thou givest, to both great and small
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.
4. Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight,
All laud we would render, O help us to see,
‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.
5. Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.

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Memorise: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
Read: John 15:13-16
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 34-35, Revelation 14:14-15:8

1. An ambassador is a worthy representative of a kingdom and its people in general. In particular, he or she represents the head of the realm.
2. Our memory verse today describes us as Christ’s ambassadors. It also spells out our responsibilities as the mouthpiece of God as He persuades all people to come over to His side.
3. We are to speak for our Lord Jesus Christ concerning the work of redemption which He has finished for all mankind.
4. As Christ’s ambassadors, we are not just His servants or errand boys; our relationship with Him goes deeper than that.
5. The Lord Jesus Christ made us to understand from today’s Bible text that following His decision to choose us, He has promoted us to the level of a friend, and He is ready to reveal things He and His father discuss in secret to us. What a privilege! Psalm 25:14 says, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. ”Why has the Lord made us His ambassadors?
6. Some of the reasons are revealed in Mark 3:14-15: “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:”
7. Ambassadors for Christ are ordained, first, to fellowship with the Master. In addition, they are to go out and preach the gospel of the kingdom they represent.
8. They are to exert the dominion of their King over all obstructions to the expansion of His kingdom, by ministering healing and deliverance to all those who are oppressed of the devil.
9. The ambassadors of Christ are expected to do what He did, and even greater works than He did (John 14:12).
10. There are lots of benefits attached to being Christ’s ambassadors. One of these benefits is speedy answers to prayers.
11. Elijah is a classical example of an ambassador for Yahweh. He prayed down fire that could quench water and God answered him immediately (1 Kings 18:36-38).
12. Another benefit of being an ambassador for Christ is that after your tenure here on earth, you will live eternally with Him in heaven.
13. The Lord gave us His word on this in John 14:2-3: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
14. To be an ambassador for Christ, you must live a life that represents the Holy God.
15. Choose to represent Christ everywhere you go, and you will not regret doing so.

Romans 8:30 “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” We are have been commissioned by God to reconcile men back to Him. Therefore He has chosen us and He has enabled us also for greater impact. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12 God be praised for Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please grant me grace to be a worthy ambassador of Your Person and Your Kingdom everywhere I go.
HYMN
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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Memorise: Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: Psalm 78:56
Read: Daniel 3:14-30
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 32-33, Revelation 14:1-13

1. “Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?”  Isaiah 45:9
2. Whenever I read the words of this scripture above, I tremble. It is quite astonishing to see mere mortals “flexing muscles” with the One who made them.
3. You can be a ‘dare-devil’, but you better not dare the Almighty God; the end result will always be catastrophic for you.
4. Today’s Bible text narrates a classical example of someone who dared to challenge his Maker: King Nebuchadnezzar. When Nebuchadnezzar commanded all to bow before the golden image he had set up, the Hebrew boys refused to bow, daring the devil in King Nebuchadnezzar. In response, Nebuchadnezzar dared the God of heaven and threw His children into the fiery furnace in defiance of God’s supremacy. However, the God of those Hebrew boys, who is also the God of all flesh, showed up in the furnace and rescued His children. It is unfortunate that those who, by the order of the king, threw them into the fiery furnace were all burnt to ashes. I decree that as it happened to those who threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fiery furnace, so shall it be to all the enemies of God in your life in Jesus’ Name. Although Nebuchadnezzar temporarily repented of his folly after witnessing the awesome power of God, he still got a taste of God’s punishment down the line: he was turned into a beast for a season (Daniel 4:28-37)! May those who are challenging the Almighty God in your life be like Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Herod and all those who dared the King of glory throughout history.
5. How can a mere mortal possibly challenge the Almighty God? It seems ridiculous, but amazingly, this happens on a daily basis in the world that we live in today. We see nations making law against the natural order set by God, judges redefining marriage contrary to what the Almighty God Himself instituted, and people calling to question the very existence of God. Such attitudes are not new. This defiant trend has persisted throughout all of history, but the sponsors of such assault on the Divine have always paid dearly for their actions.
6. Are you daring God in any way? I hope your answer is no.
7. Please, never you dare the Almighty God, not even through subtle disobedience.
8. May the Lord cause you to be wise enough never to dare Him.

I will like us to meditate on Isaiah 45:9-13 MSG version. There are some questions that needs our sincere answers there. But above all we should continually pray never to find ourselves daring God. But doom to you who fight your Maker_ you’re a pot at odds with the potter! Does clay talk back to the potter: ‘What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!’ Would a sperm say to a father, ‘Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?’ Or a fetus to a mother, ‘Why have you cooped me up in this belly?’” Thus God, The Holy of Israel, Israel’s Maker, says: “Do you question who or what I’m making? Are you telling me what I can or cannot do? I made earth, and I created man and woman to live on it. I handcrafted the skies and direct all the constellations in their turnings. And now I’ve got Cyrus on the move. I’ve rolled out the red carpet before him. He will build my city. He will bring home my exiles. I didn’t hire him to do this. I told him. I, God-of-the-Angel-Armies.” God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please remove folly far away from me so that I may not challenge You to a fight through disobedience.
HYMN
1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
4. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

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Memorise: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelation 3:21
Read: 1st Thessalonians 5:1-10
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Bible in one year: Genesis 31, Revelation 13

1. Starting a journey to a great destination is such a nice experience, but it is of no use if the journey does not end at the expected destination.
2. It is of utmost importance not just to finish a journey but to finish it well.
3. It is not a trivial thing that of the about six hundred thousand adults who left the land of Egypt among the Israelites, only two of them got to the Promised Land (Exodus 12:37, Numbers 32:11-12) This should serve as an example and a warning to every child of God running the Christian race in these end-times (1st Corinthians 10:11).
4. Ezekiel 33:18 should be food for thought for every child of God who plans to meet the Lord at the last trump (1st Corinthians 15:52).
5. The ultimate goal of the Christian journey for every true child of God is to be transformed and meet the Lord in the air when the trumpet sounds (1st Thessalonians 4:17). I pray that you will not miss this great congregation of the saints in Jesus’ Name.
6. There is however another destination, a place of eternal perdition, awaiting the devil, his demonic cohorts and all those who follow him to do evil among men. Matthew 25:41 says, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Beloved, I pray that your portion will not be with the devil in Jesus’ Name.
7. What should be done to finish well in times as these? The Lord provides the answer in Mark 13:35-37: “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all. Watch.”
8. What must we watch? We must watch what goes into our heart and what comes out of it. We must watch what we feed our eyes and ears on. We must watch our speech, our mode of dressing, what we eat and drink, and the kind of company we keep. 
9. A Nigerian proverb says “The sheep that keeps company with dogs will soon develop an appetite for bones.” If you will end your journey well, you must be steadfast in goodliness.
10. I pray that you will finish well and not fall by the wayside in Jesus’ Name.

The word watch used in today’s devotional means to be careful and cautious in all we do. If we are able to watch till the end then we will finish strong and well. May God help us to finish our journey here on earth well. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13 God bless and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, Please help me and give me the grace to finish well in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
1. I have decide 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. Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
Through none go with me, still I
Will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
4. My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross 1’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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Memorise: If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King. Daniel 3:17
Read: Psalm 24:7-10
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
Bible in one year: Genesis 29-30, Revelation 12

1. To live a fulfilled life worthy of their election, children of God must know their God as the Lord who is mighty in battle.
2. The story of the three Hebrews boys is a classical example of what God is capable of doing for his children who know who He is (Daniel 3). They confronted the world emperor of their time, Nebuchadnezzar, with faith in the supremacy of the power of their God over the affairs of men. There is a lesson we must learn from the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, which the Lord spelt out for us in clear terms in Luke 17:33, saying: “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosever shall lose his shall preserve it.”
3. Note that it was after King Nebuchadnezzar had threatened to burn the three Hebrew boys that they declared that they were not afraid for their lives, even if they had to die defending what they believed in, What an amazing statement of faith this is: “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.” Daniel 3:17
4. It takes truly knowing God to make such a bold statement. No wonder Daniel 11:32 says, “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
5. Do you know your God as a weakling or as a mighty warrior?
6. To the three Hebrew boys, the God of Israel was more than able to deliver them because they knew Him to be the Lord of hosts.
7. He Specialises in fighting all manner of battles in all realms. On the ground, He fought for the children of Israel against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16). In the midst of the sea, He fought for the Israelites against the Egyptians (Exodus 14:13-30). In the air, He fought for Joshua and the children of Israel against the forces of the five kings who gathered against them (Joshua 10:1-20) 
8. The awesomeness of this God made the Psalmist to describe Him as the Lord mighty in battle (Psalm 24:8).
9. Beloved, what is that battle confronting you? You would be wise to run to God Almighty to fight for you. He is mighty in battle and has never lost any war. He will be your sure Ally and you will be victorious in Jesus’ Name.
10. Surrender your life to Him and hand over those battles of life to Him, and you will begin to enjoy victories without sweat through His involvement.

Daniel 11:32 says, “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Knowledge is power! Therefore having full knowledge of God and the consciousness of His powerful ability as regards battle is a sure ticket of victory for every believer. If you are unaware of His strength then you may be short-changed or miss the privilege of enjoying victory over your adversaries through His help. Drop every doubt as regards the potency of His power and express your faith at all time for an everyday victory encounter. We are grateful to God for blessing our generation with Pastor E.A Adeboye. May God continually increase him on every side in Jesus name.
Prayer Point
Father, please fight the battles of life confronting me today, and in every situation I will encounter this year, don’t let me be a victim but a victor, in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
2. Under the shadow of Thy throne,
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure
3. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same
4. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away:
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
6. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.

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Memorise: Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
Read: Mark 2:1-12
1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 27-28, Revelation 11

1. Today’s Bible reading contains an interesting story that confirms Jesus Christ as the authentic Saviour of the body, soul and spirit of mankind.
2. A four-man squad brought a paralytic man face to face with Jesus Christ while He was preaching in a house. Amazingly, in Mark 2:5b, the first thing Jesus Christ said to the young man was, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
3. To the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, this was a strange and conceited statement, which should not be uttered by any man. As they reasoned in their heart on how a man could proclaim another man’s sins to be forgiven, Jesus confronted with the truth of sin as the origin of man’s trouble on earth. Hear what He said in Mark 2:9-11: “Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.” On hearing this, the sick got healed; people were so happy for him, and they glorified God.
4. There are lots of lessons to be learnt from this story; one of which is that sin brings about physical and spiritual calamity.
5. Another lesson is that to overcome physical calamity, the issue of sin must be dealt with first.
6. It becomes easier for healing to take place when the issue of sin has been settled because the spiritual controls the physical.
7. Sometimes we fail to look beyond the physical in our bid to solve spiritually-inflicted problems, and so we remain in this problem perpetually.
8. Beloved, have you found out the root cause of the problem you are confronted with? Are they spiritual or physical in nature? The good news is that whether they are spiritual or physical, Jesus Christ is more than able to solve them today. In Luke 4:18-19, says this concerning Him: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
9. Beloved, do you want salvation in every facet of life? Jesus Christ is the one that you need.
10. To receive His salvation, all He requires of you is a total surrender of your heart to His Lordship.
11. If you can do this today, He will save you completely.

Today’s devotional revealed to us that sin brings about physical and spiritual calamity and to overcome physical calamity, the issue of sin must be dealt with first. It is therefore important for us to examine our lives incase we are going through spiritual or physical trials to see if sin is the cause. Also, we are to make our way straight and seek for forgiveness that we may receive healing for every affliction. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Action Point
Ask the Great Physician to heal you of any spiritual or physical infirmity challenging your life.
HYMN
1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Chorus:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
2. For my cleansing this I see
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my plea
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
3. Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ’tis all of grace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
4. This is all my hope and peace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

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Memorise: My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:2
Read: Psalm 121:1-8
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 25-26, Revelation 9:20-10:11,

1. Not many people know that the surest source of help is the God of heaven and earth, and for this reason, so many people struggle for a very long time without having anything to show for their efforts. No wonder wise King Solomon, in Psalm 127:1, confessed thus: “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. If you have been struggling all your life, with little or nothing to show for it, your struggles have come to an end today in Jesus’ Name.
3. One struggle a lot of people battle with throughout their lifetime is the struggle against the power of sin. Apostle Paul, before coming to the knowledge of the saving grace in the Lord Jesus Christ, found himself in this situation. In Romans 7:24, he bemoaned his spiritual condition, saying, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
4. The good news is that Paul found help from above and he is today, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, numbered among the saints. The same Jesus who did it for Paul can do it for you.
5. The Lord is telling you to look up to Him for that help you seek, because looking elsewhere is an exercise in futility. The Lord Himself will send help from above to you today in Jesus’ Name.
6. The Saviour who helped the woman caught in adultery to come out of her state of spiritual hopelessness, will set you free from the power of sin and empower you to sin no more in Jesus’ Name (John 8:3-11).
7. Beloved, let Jesus help you. He is calling you today, saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
8. For you to receive help from above, you need to answer His call as matter of urgency. You can do this by surrendering your life to Him.
9. You must stop relying on your own ability and stop trusting in the arm of flesh (Jeremiah 17:5).
10. As a child of God, you must put your trust in Him even as you call upon Him in prayer to come and help you.
11. However, before calling on the Lord, first ensure that there is no impediment in your life that would deny you of His help, because in Isaiah 59:1-2, He says, “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

God is the only true and ever sufficient source of help. He is always available for anyone that seeks help from Him. Behold, I am the Lord , the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 Nothing is difficult for God to do regardless of your situation. All we need to do is to come with a clean hand and life. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Abba Father, please send help to me today, and don’t let me be put to shame.
HYMN
1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
2. 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!
3. 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.
4.Whenlife’s swift race is run,
Death’s cold work almost done
Be near to me.
Blest Saviour, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

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Memorise: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
Read: 1 John 1:1-5
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 24, Revelation 8:13-9:19

1. One of the problems confronting contemporary Christians today is accepting the infallibility of the Holy Scriptures.
2. The truth of the matter is this: the Christian faith falls into disarray the moment the integrity of the Bible is destroyed by any so-called logical argument.
3. Glory be to God, our Christianity is not based on logic or human reasoning; rather, it is built on the wisdom of God and on the demonstration of His power. Hallelujah!
4. This is the foundation built upon by the prophets and apostles of the early Church. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 says, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
5. Is it not amazing that right from the time of the early apostles, some people crept into the Church to argue against some of the fundamental beliefs of the Christian faith, such as the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12, 2 Timothy 2:18)? It should therefore be no surprise to any student of the Bible that today, even some so-called clergy do not believe in the resurrection of Christ. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:13-20, used the wisdom of God to present the truth about the resurrection and its significance to the Christian faith.
6. Some people choose to ignore such presentations of truth, and consider them to be fables or allegory.
7. The early Church succeeded in subduing many heresies because they held unto the Scriptures as the infallible word of God.
8. More than ever before, the sufficiency of the Bible for doctrine, for reproof and for instruction in righteousness is being questioned and doubted today. Thank God, the Holy Spirit knew this would happen, and He, in 2 Timothy 3:16, declared thus to all this who will listen and be saved: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
9. People argue against Scripture passages that attack their ego or their weaknesses. They pick up what suits them in the Old Testament, like the blessings listed in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, but when they get to Malachi 3:10 that speaks on tithing, they see it as an outdated instruction to the Jews only.
10. Moreover, some people jump at Philippians 4:19 and appropriate it into their lives as infallible Scripture, but when they get to places like 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, they will claim such passages were written only for the Church at Corinth. Such people choose to ignore the words of 1 Corinthians 10:11.
11. All these are signs of the end-times. Know this for sure: the word of God is settled in heaven, forever. Amen.

Never be deceived by the devil to question the word of God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 Whenever any of the purpose for which the Lord inspired the writing of the scriptures hits us, we should embrace it in love and do exactly as it instructs us to do. The Lord will make us doers of the word and not just hearers only. We are daily refreshed and blessed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, help my faith in Your holy word to be unshakable, and grant me grace to live by it.
HYMN
1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.
2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
4.To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

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Memorise: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1st Peter 2:24
Read: James 5:14-16
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Bible in one year: Genesis 21-23, Revelations 8:1-12

1. It is unfortunate that many children of God are ignorant of the truth that healing is part of the package of redemption. Neglecting what is their inheritance in Christ, such people seek after interior channels for relief. My prayer is that God will open your eyes to comprehend in your spirit the reality of healing through the stripes of Jesus.
2. I thank God that the realisation of this truth was one of the earliest testimonies I experienced in my Christian walk. Before I met Jesus Christ and received Him as my Personal Lord and Saviour, there was no month when I would not be attacked by fever. Any month I managed to escape breaking down as a result of fever, I would celebrate. However, when I met the Lord and He opened my eyes to His provision for healing, I grabbed it with both hands, and for many decades since, He has been my Healer.
3. What should you do if you desire to be healed? The Holy Spirit gives the answer in James 5:14: “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:”
4. Prayer is the Key here.
5. Due to unbelief and unwillingness to pray, most people prefer other channels of healing, though very costly, to the healing that is freely provided through the stripes of Jesus.
6. Beloved, if you desire to be healed of those sicknesses that have defied traditional and orthodox medicine, you must be ready to pray.
7. Moreover, the truth is that more often than not, sickness is brought about by the sin of disobedience. For this reason, James 5:15 says, “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
8. Disobedience to simple laws of hygiene can bring about sickness.
9. Furthermore, failure to sleep properly, or working round the clock because you want more money, is disobeying the law of Sabbath (the law that governs taking a day of rest). In addition, according to James 5:16, if you desire healing, you must confess your faults to and pray for one another.
10. There are lots of sicknesses and diseases in the Body of Christ that have defied all manner of prayers and medication. This could be the result of holding grudges against anyone. We refuse to forgive each other because we don’t want to admit our faults against one another.
11. Beloved, if you want to be healed, take note of what the Lord is telling you today, and the healing virtue of His stripes shall flow through your body to make your whole.
12. Do you desire to be healed

Sin and disobedience exposes believers to sickness. However, the sure way out of sickness is total obedience to God and confession of Christ our healer as our saviour. Anyone that surrenders to Him is entitled to divine healing which His death and resurrection handed over to us free of charge. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1st Peter 2:24 He is the Balm of Gilead and has completed our work of salvation in which healing is one of. May we live in the consciousness of His love for us as we enjoy healing in every area of our lives in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, please let the stripes of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, heal all my infirmities without exception today.
HYMN
1. The Great Physician now is near,
The sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus!
Chorus:
Sweetest note in seraph song,
Sweetest Name on mortal tongue;
Sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus.
2. Your many sins are all forgiv’n,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus;
Go on your way in peace to heav’n,
And wear a crown with Jesus.
3. All glory to the dying Lamb!
I now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Saviour’s Name,
I love the Name of Jesus.
4. His Name dispels my guilt and fear,
No other name but Jesus;
Oh, how my soul delights to hear
The precious Name of Jesus!

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Memorise: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19
Read: 2nd Timothy 4:1-5
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Bible in one year: Genesis 19-20, Revelation 7

1. You will observe that parents often pass across their most important instructions to their children at the time they are about to leave the world.
2. In like-manner, our Lord Jesus Christ, when He was about to leave this world, gave us the instructions contained in our memory verse today. The Body of Christ refers to this set of instructions as The Great Commission.
3. Due to the place of this mandate in the heart of God, I always encourage my spiritual children not to be guilty of the error of neglecting to act upon it.
4. Not only must we do the work of The Great Commission, we must also do it right. We must not be like a certain torch bearer at a railway crossing, whose responsibility it was to warn people from crossing the rail lines whenever a train was approaching. He indeed waved the torch at the sight of an approaching train, but alas, the torch had no light in it. You can be sure the result of such error of omission would be catastrophic.
5. It is terrible not to engage in evangelism, but it is much more terrible to engage in it as an empty routine.
6. On the other hand, it is life-giving when we engage in it with all due diligence.
7. In 2nd Timothy 4:2, the Holy Spirit gave us a template for what the mode of our evangelism and content of our message should be: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
8. For this scripture, we understand that the gospel should be preached when it is convenient (in season), and also when it sounds offensive to the society we live in (out of season). We also understand from this scripture that our gospel message should contain reproof, rebuke, exhortation and doctrine.
9. Many preachers today chose not to dabble into doctrinal issues because they would not want to be caught in controversies. You hear them saying, “I am sent to preach prosperity or deliverance and not doctrine!” One wonders whether they are preaching the same message given by the Holy Spirit to the early disciples, which put Stephen and James to death. Are they preaching the same gospel and landed Paul and Silas in the midst of controversies and ultimately in jail? Should we, because of the fear of controversies, imprisonment or even death, fail to preach the word as we ought to? God forbid (Revelation 2:10)!
10. I encourage you, if you have encountered the saving grace of Jesus Christ, to raise up for the salvation of others, in season and out of season, preaching the unadulterated word of God to them.

We are to be sold out completely to the great commission of reaching and winning our world for Christ. As seen in the Bible reading, the gospel of Christ and His saving grace must be announced to the unsaved in and out of season. And so I pray that the zeal for evangelism shall be restored in us in Jesus name. We are grateful to God for blessing our generation with Pastor E.A Adeboye and we pray his strength shall be renewed daily in Jesus name.

Action Point
Organise a line of action on evangelism in your local assembly and ensure that the undiluted word of God is preached regularly through it.
HYMN
1. Wonderful story of love;          
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angles with rapture announce
It,
Shepherds with wonder receive
it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, Wonderful story of love.
2. Wonderful story of love;
Through you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s
Mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright
fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
3. Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above
us, With those who’ve gone on
before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.

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