Devotionals

Memorise: But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Read: 1st Corinthians 13:1-8
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Bible in one year: 1st Corinthians 7-9, Daniel 4:19-27

1. Today’s memory verse gives us a glimpse of what God’s kind of love is all about.
2. This scripture reveals one truth about God’s kind of love, which is that it is unconditional. God loves unconditionally, and His love prompts Him to forgive unconditionally!
3. If God had chosen to wait until we become saints before extending His saving love to us, no one would be saved.
4. Some years ago, one of my sons illustrated the unconditional nature of God’s love. In his place of work, his secretary did something unprofessional, and so he moved him out of his office to another role within the department. While suspending this man from his role as secretary, my son strangely instructed him to hold on to the computer he had been working with, and told him to retain all the files that were on it. Some months later, he reinstated this fellow to his old role as secretary. Surprised at his reinstatement, this secretary was initially not comfortable at his former desk, but my son reassured him that he had been forgiven. He said to him, “I had given you even before you asked for forgiveness. Why do you think I told you to hold on to the computer and keep all the files? I forgave you and restored you even as I was suspending you from office. I planned your reinstatement right from that day, and I didn’t want you to return and start from scratch, which is why I left the computer with you even though you were no longer my secretary.” This secretary was dumbfounded.
5. In today’s Bible reading, we are enlightened on the characteristics of God’s kind of love. The Holy Spirit in these verses first declares the importance of this kind of love, without which life is worthless and meaningless. He then begins to list the characteristics of God’s love.
6. Only God’s type of love suffers long and shows unusual kindness. God is sovereign and all-powerful, so He needs not envy anyone, neither does He need anybody to pump up His ego. God’s love contains no evil (James 1:13).
7. Contrary to some people’s perception, God’s kind of love does not condone or rejoice in iniquity.
8. Some pastors think that the best way of showing God’s kind of love is not to rebuke sinners. Nothing could be further from the truth!
9. God’s kind of love is what Paul instructed Timothy to demonstrate in fulfilling his ministry, by reproving, rebuking and exhorting those he was ministering to with all longsuffering and doctrine (2nd Timothy 4:2).
10. My advice to you is that you embrace God’s love as personified by His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of the whole world.

God’s love is immeasurable and beyond human comprehension. Another good news is that God’s love is priceless. That He gave us His only begotten Son who in turn gave us His life to give us eternal life is a great gift. We should cherish this love and emulate it as well. 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. We bless God for Pastor E.A Adeboye and we pray that his strength shall be renewed in Jesus name

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Prayer Point
Father, let Your love be shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit in Jesus Name.
HYMN
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
You wilt find a solace there.

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20

Memorise: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1st Timothy 6:6
Read: Luke 16:10-13
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Bible in one year: 1st Corinthian 4-6, Daniel 4:4-18

1. A lot of people think it impossible to live a life of faithfulness, and for this reason, unfaithfulness has become a norm in today’s world.
2. The world may tolerate unfaithfulness and live with its consequences, but we as children of God cannot afford to live a life of unfaithfulness. The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians 4:2 notifies us of God’s requirement in this regard. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
3. Faithfulness has a secret which many may not recognise because of its simplicity. This secret is revealed in today’s memory verse. It is contentment. Discontentment – an off-shoot of godlessness – makes a person live an unfaithful life.
4. When you are contented with what you have, you won’t indulge in ungodly or immoral acts in order to get what you do not have.
5. When you live a life of contentment, you won’t like King Ahab misuse your position to entrap an innocent person, so that you can take over what belongs to him or her (1st Kings 21).
6. Contentment will prevent you from being envious of people under you who are being celebrated for faithfully discharging their duties to the glory of God.
7. Lack of contentment made Haman hate Mordecai, so much so that he planned to get rid of an innocent, dutiful but uncompromising doorman (Esther 5:11-14). Haman misused his position as a member of the king’s cabinet to pursue the destruction of innocent people (Esther 3:8-11). This is exactly what some people in privileged positions are doing today, even though this is to their own peril.
8. Faithfulness applies in terms of money and position, but it is also applicable in the use of your time. This is manifested in such areas as the time you are expected to spend at your place of work. It is ignorance that makes a child of God to think that he or she can spend just two out of the required eight hours at work, and then expect commendation by the God of Justice, when he or she brings the tithe of wages he or she did not work for. The Name of the Lord is blasphemed when a so-called child of God absconds from work for days – pursuing “missions”- only to come back and collect full wages covering the period of absence, in the full glare of unbelievers.
9. God’s requirement of our faithfulness in stewardship applies to every area of our lives.
10. My prayer is that the Almighty God will open your eyes to see the different areas of life you are lacking in faithfulness, and grant you grace to live faithfully in all these areas.
11. Through faithfulness, unbelievers will see the light and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
12. This virtue of faithfulness was the reason why employers of labour came to our Church in those days to recruit workers for their secular establishments.
13. May God bring such days back to us in Jesus’ Name.

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Putting into account the fact that we will stand before our maker to give account of our stewardship here on earth, we must strive to be faithful in our daily deeds. He sees us as we go about our services unto Him. Regardless of the nature, size, location or gravity of whatever we do, let us pray often for grace to be faithful. We should also discipline ourselves to be faithful. The Lord will help us in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, through Your Spirit, please help me to be faithful in life as a steward of the Name of Jesus Christ.
HYMN
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
 

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20

Memorise: We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 1st John 3:14
Read: 1st John 3:11-16
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Bible in one year: 1st Corinthians 1-3, Daniel 3:24-4:3

1. Do you know that it is very possible for one to be alive but living in death? Any man who does not have the life of God, manifested as new life in Christ Jesus, is dead even though he or she is physically alive.
2. The If you have received the new life of Christ, you have the nature of God, and one of the defining characteristics of this nature is love (1st John 4:16). This is why the Lord Jesus Christ emphasised that there is no greater commandment than that which is anchored on love for God and love for fellow men (Matthew 22:37-40).
3. You cannot claim to love God when you have hatred and bitterness towards your fellow men. Where there is no love, there will be deceit.
4. There is a lot of deceit in the interpersonal relationships between people today.
5. Do you really love, or are you pretending to love? If you live a life of love, you are living in Christ; but if you are only pretending to love when deep inside you there is so much hatred and evil-plotting against your brother, then you are living in death.
6. The new life in Christ is a spiritual experience that puts an end to all forms of bitterness, hatred and un-forgiveness in your heart.
7. Manifesting love for God and love for others around you showcases the real image of God in you, which is characterised by purity, holiness and righteousness.
8. At the root of all the displacement, destruction and crime witnessed all over the world is the absence of love. Love is at the core of man’s existence.
9. Love is the root of our salvation, and so, nothing genuine can be achieved among brethren if there is no love. When you have love, you will show compassion for those suffering and be willing to help.
10. When you walk in love, you will no longer keep records of wrong done against you by others. Rather, you will let go and let God have His way in your life.
11. True love is not easily offended, and it is always willing to forgive. It is this love that enables you to show kindness to those who hurt you, even though you have the power to harm or punish them. You choose to ignore their deeds because you know that there is nothing you have that you have not received from God.
12. The word of God says prophecy and knowledge will fail, but love will always stand the test of time. Don’t envy others to the point of getting bitter with them. It is not a sign of love. Instead, let us encourage one another.
13. You should not take other people for granted or malign others because you feel superior to them.
14. A child of God should not revenge anything done against him or her, because vengeance is the Lord’s.
15. Are you walking in love, or are you living in death?

God is love likewise our Lord Jesus Christ. This love is what made God to give us His only begotten Son to redeem us from sin and death. This same love is what made our Lord Jesus Christ to take the pain for us and surrendered His life for our redemption. Hatred springs up bitterness and this in turn leads to death. So if a believer by chance hate anyone or think evil against our fellow brethren, such person is living in death. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 Love is so important in our daily deeds. We pray that God will continue to flood the mind of Pastor E.A Adeboye with great revelation for greater impact in Jesus name.

Key Point
If you love God, you won’t hate your fellow men.
HYMN
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
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 some day for a crown.
O 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. Refrain
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. Refrain
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share. Refrain

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20

Memorise: Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring fouth more fruit. John 15:2
Read: Luke 19:11-13
11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Bible in one year: Romans 14-16, Daniel 3:8-23

1. God’s expectation of you in these end times is that you would live for a cause that is greater than yourself – a cause that will serve the purpose of advancing His Kingdom on earth.
2. What worthy cause in God’s Kingdom keeps you awake at night? What burden are you carrying in your heart?
3. When Nehemiah heard that his people back home had been put to shame and that worship services in the temple of God had been halted, he was overwhelmed with a burden to “occupy” for God and his people (Nehemiah 1:4). He immediately wanted to effect the necessary changes that would restore the image of God’s people.
4. Many Christians are not bothered about making it a duty to occupy in the place of prayer for those in authority.
5. Many Christians are not even concerned about the rate at which many sinners are going to Hell. As long as they are comfortable, they care less about the situation of others. Some people are so self-centred that as long as their immediate family is saved, the salvation of their extended family members is far from their mind. It is our duty as believers to bring all people to the knowledge of God.
6. We must occupy by directing the souls of men to God through prayers and by witnessing to them until they give their lives to God.
7. Although Nehemiah was comfortable in a king’s palace, he was troubled by the discomfort of God’s people. We ought to share the same spirit.
8. The burden for revival in the hearts of men was what led to the outburst of many moves of God in the world since the days of the apostles.
9. The burden for holiness has led many to occupy in the place of prayer for certain territories.
10. Our burden for the business of God’s Kingdom should lead us into prayer and fasting, so that we can become fruitful in our missionary assignments.
11. As a branch of the Vine, you must be ready to bear fruit if you don’t want the Vine to cast you off.
12. The Vine is committed to supplying all you need for the assignment; there is therefore no excuse for you not to occupy till His return (Philippians 4:19).
13. Also, everything that the Vine expects you to do as His branch is done through the strength supplied by the Vine (John 15:5).
14. As long as the branch remains attached to the Vine, it will be able to fulfil all that is expected of it (Philippians 4:13).
15. I remember when I was in the university and I was trusting God for His help in winning the soul of one of my professors. I would do a lot of rehearsals on how I would present the message to him, but each time I saw him, I would lose my confidence. However, God helped me and I eventually succeeded in this assignment.
16. It is only through God’s help that you can occupy till the very end.

This is a call to service as well as call to repentance. Our spirit wills to fulfil purpose at times but flesh overpowers us. This is where the place of prayer comes to light. When we call unto God for help to fulfil His will, He steps in and strengthen us to carry on. May God help us to occupy indeed and produce good fruits that will abide in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional. May God continually increase Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, may I not have to give excuses on the day of accountability.
HYMN
Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Refrain:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
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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20

Memorise: Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth lest, I make my brother to offend. 1st Corinthians 8:13
Read: 1st Corinthians 8:8-13
8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Bible in one year: Romans 11-13, Daniel 2:46-3:7

1. God redeems us from the unfaithful works of darkness through His mercy and grace.
2. When people become newly saved, though they have genuinely surrendered their lives to God and are committed to going all the way in pleasing Him, they are often not immediately well grounded in the things of God.
3. These young converts need special care and attention from mature believers.
4. It is the responsibility of those who have grown deeper in Christ to encourage those who are making efforts to have their faith established in Him.
5. As their predecessor in the faith, young converts are watching and following you as an example. They must be followed up with love and shown good examples of how to live out their faith in Christ.
6. As an older believer, you must show them compassion and understanding, remembering that Christ came to save us all because of His compassion for us.
7. Mature believers have certain roles to play by deliberately denying themselves of certain things that are lawful but not helpful to the growth of these young converts.
8. Like Paul who became all things to all people so that he might win many to Christ, mature believers must also be willing to become all things for the sake of those they want to establish in the knowledge of the truth. 1st Corinthians 9:22 says, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might be all means save some.”
9. If you are grounded in Christ, you are not to use your liberty to harm those who are growing in the faith. Some of these people have already experienced a lot of disappointments outside the Church of God. Some of them have been defrauded, while some others have been unduly taken advantage of because of their vulnerability. Some lost precious things before coming to the knowledge of Christ. The moment they give their lives to Christ, they are full of great expectations because they’ve heard that the Name of the Lord is a strong tower. They believe the brethren will care for them, unlike what they experienced in the hands of unbelievers.
10. We must therefore do all that is within our power not to make them regret their decision to come to Christ, which will be the case if we don’t extend hands of love to them.
11. We must not give them occasion to stumble; neither should we allow them to stray away by our actions.
12. We must avoid all circumstances that will grieve our fellow brethren and ensure that the word of God remains our standard in our dealings with them.
13. Let us be careful not to offend the weak ones or lay a stumbling block on their way, because we are going to be accountable to God for all those He brings across our path.

We shall give account of every act that lead to discouragement of a new convert. As believers, our light should shine so bright that others will see through it. Let take heed lest we make anyone fall. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, deliver me from errors that will cause others to stumble.
HYMN
1. My faith looks up to thee, 
thou Lamb of Calvary, 
Savior divine! 
Now hear me while I pray, 
take all my guilt away, 
O 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, 
O 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. 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; 
O bear me safe above, 
a ransomed soul! 

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20

Memorise: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6
Read: Galatians 5:16-21
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Bible in one year: Romans 9-10, Daniel 2:31-45

1. As Christians who are Heaven-bound, the works of the flesh are things we should watch out for, so that they do not bring our soul into damnation. We must do all we can to cherish the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
2. If we continue to stir up the fruit of the Spirit in our lives daily, it will be difficult for the flesh to have dominion over us.
3. On a daily basis, our thoughts, words and actions must be guided by this scripture which says: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
4. If you give your heart to these words, it would be difficult for the flesh to have rule over your mind, and consequently, the works of the flesh will not find expression in your life.
5. Such sins as hatred toward others, envy for what is happening in other people’s lives, pride and arrogance will not have a hold on you because you are walking in the Spirit of God.
6. All those who engage in the works of the flesh have no place in the kingdom of God. If you want to please God, the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lust for materialism, all of which do not allow the word of God to find its rightful place in the hearts of men, will have to go.
7. God commands us to run the Christian race with patience (Hebrews 12:1).
8. There are many who have turned sin into sport. They believe that they are very smart and cannot fall victim of sin. This was the same thinking that Adam and Eve had when they allowed the voice of the serpent to override God’s instructions for their lives (Genesis 3:1-6). Samson also had an idea of the destiny he was meant to fulfil on earth, but he gambled with the anointing of God his life and died with his enemies (Judges 16:28-30). These examples are there for us to learn from and be wise.
9. As a child of God, you have to drop those weights of sin that easily drag you down. Don’t allow the works of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the mundane things of life to deny you of God’s plan for your life.
10. The moment you decide not to walk in the Spirit, you have resolved in your heart to be independent of God, and from that moment, the real life in you dies! This is a deadly path to take.
11. No one who took this path has ever had a good story to tell, but that will not be your lot in Jesus’ Name.
12. You have to be watchful, prayerful and engage in spiritual discipline from time to time, so as not to fall prey to the wiles of the devil manifested through the works of the flesh.

It takes divine insight to understand what it means to walk in the flesh. But if you are truly a genuine child of God, the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh wouldn’t be unclear to you. To walk in the flesh is to be disconnected completely from God and live a frustration life. Imagine the Bible affirm that “For as the body without the spirit is dead,.”James‬ ‭2:26‬a. We can see how important it is to be in the spirit and not fulfilling the work of flesh. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Key Point
The flesh profits nothing, but the Spirit gives life.
HYMN
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
 

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20

Memorise: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7
Read: Proverbs 4:5-9
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Bible in one year: Romans 7-8, Daniel 2:17-30

1. King Solomon is considered to be the wisest king that ever lived. How did he become so wise? When God gave Him a blank cheque to ask for anything, in 1st King 3:9, he said: “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”
2. He chose to ask for something that the average person of his time would consider inconsequential: wisdom. Solomon feared that he might misrule God’s people and thereby incur God’s wrath, and so he asked God for wisdom. Indeed, in Proverbs 9:10, he later wrote: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
3. It is unfortunate to discover that even among some children of God today, the fear of the Lord is greatly absent. This accounts for the level of character erosion that is being witnessed in the Church, so much so that even pastors are being caught in various acts of sin, such as sexual immorality.
4. Joseph was repeatedly tempted and pressured to commit sexual immorality, but he vehemently refused to indulge in it, despite the fact that it was offered to him on a platter of gold. The Bible in Genesis 39:8-9 gives this account of Joseph’s steadfastness: “But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; there is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
5. If you ask me what kept Joseph away from this sexual immorality, I will tell you that it was wisdom, brought about by the fear of the Lord.
6. How I wish all of God’s children would embrace the fear of God, so that they can begin to live in wisdom.
7. It is wisdom to run away from sin, because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). A foolish fellow would say, “Death will come one day all the same.” Such a fellow fails to consider untimely death like the one that took Absalom away (2nd Samuel 18:10-17), the agony of death that comes as a result of sin, and the eternal death in the Lake of Fire. Revelations 21:8 speaks of the Lake of Fire in these words: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abminable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
8. For this reason, our Bible reading strongly recommends that we get wisdom.
9. The question is, where can we get wisdom?
10. It is from the word of God (2nd Timothy 3:15).
11. Beloved, seek godly wisdom and don’t be lawless in the name of grace, because grace does not indulge in lawlessness.

Most believers desire a good position in the sight of God but their attitude and behavior greatly disqualify them from such privilege. Wisdom begins and ends with the fear of God and it’s absolutely the best way to obey God. Most people forget that God is omnipresent and hid themselves to perform evil. Humh God is watching you. Do you have the fear of God at all? Please examine yourself. Also, when you fear Him, you have access to the secret treasures of God. The Bible says “The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.” ‭Psalms‬ ‭25:14‬. May we continue to fear God regardless of our location in Jesus’ name. We bless God for Pastor E.A Adeboye and pray that may he wax stronger in Jesus Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, put Your fear in me, help me to love your word and give me wisdom.
HYMN
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
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 some day for a crown.
O 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. Refrain
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. Refrain
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share. Refrain

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Memorise: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Read: 2nd Corinthians 6:1-10
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Bible in one year: Romans 4-6, Daniel 2:1-16

1. Over the years, I have observed that the more powerful some people become, the more wicked they turn out to be. When they are not yet in a position of authority, they will appear humble, but once they have a little taste of power, they act as if they are God. This is what makes my Father very different: He is a merciful God. In spite of all His power and majesty, He remains merciful.
2. Having experienced God’s mercy, David thus wrote in Psalm 40:1-2: “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
3. God is so full of mercy, and there is no one who cannot benefit from His mercy.
4. When powerful people know that no one can query them, they do whatever they like. God is however different! Even though He is the Almighty God and He is all powerful, yet His mercy endures forever.
5. Every time you call upon Him, you can be sure His grace will speak for you. Ephesians 2:4 says “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”
6. God’s grace grants us access to the things we don’t deserve. There are many of us who are what we are only by His grace.
7. If not for His grace, some of us would not be alive today, if not for His grace; some of us would have no roof over our heads. If not for His grace, how would some of us have anyone willing to help us? There are many opportunities we have misused in the past, and yet we have not lived to regret this because of His grace. If not for His mercy, some of us wouldn’t have recovered from the consequences of our past life.
8. Can you imagine a person like Saul, who persecuted the Church of God, becoming a mighty apostle of the gospel? If I were God, I would not have saved his soul, especially when I think of the extent of the damage he single-handedly caused the Body of Christ. I then suddenly realised that I also was once in sin like him.
9. When grace and mercy are at work in a person’s life, he will begin to make his boast in the Lord.
10. Can you imagine Paul saying he had wronged no one (2nd Corinthians 7:2)? He could say this because the grace and mercy of God had washed away all his past misdeeds.
11. When mercy is at work, every sinner has a future, and when grace is speaking, every saint has no past.
12. God is telling you today that He can have mercy on you. All you need to do is to make up your mind that all the days of your life, you will continue to fear Him and walk in His ways.

The mercy of God can wipe out every unpleasant event. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Lamentations 3:22‭-‬24 The mercy of the Lord does not have expiry date and it is not by works or our good deeds. We are blessed to have access to such mercy and grace. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalms 136:26 God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, let Your mercy and grace never depart from my life.
HYMN
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
[Chorus]
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
[Chorus]
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
[Chorus]

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Memorise: Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 1 Corinthians 10:6
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-12
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Bible in One Year: Romans 1-3, Daniel 1

1. As we run the race that is set before us on the straight and narrow way to Heaven, it is possible to slip and fall. You should however note that falling or making mistakes along the way does not signify that an end has come to your life, ministry or destiny.
2. There is no depth you can sink to that the mercy of God cannot draw you out of.
3.If you genuinely ask God for forgiveness and mercy, His grace will surely lift you up.
4. If you are still down in sin, it is time to come up into righteousness.
5. Are you in a situation where it appears all hope of you ever rising again is lost? No matter where you are, receive God’s touch of mercy at this very moment and come up again in Jesus’ Name!
6. There are ways to handle mistakes.
7. One way is to learn from the mistakes of others so that you do not become the guinea pig. A Nigerian proverb says, “The one who falls into a pit is a lesson to others following from behind.” You can scream after seeing that fellow fall into the pit, but make sure you don’t end up in it yourself.
8. Today’s reading tells us that the children of Israel who disobeyed God and were overthrown in the wilderness are lessons to us who are now on our way to the Promise Land of Heaven. It says we should not lust after evil things, because the Israelites did so and became causalities in the wilderness. It also says the reason why we should not serve other gods and commit fornication is that 23,000 of those Israelites who did the same perished in one day. It further says we should not tempt Christ like the Israelites did and died of snake bites. It even warns us of the dangers of murmuring, which some of us do very often. The Israelites murmured and were destroyed.
9. When you see the pit your predecessors have fallen into, a wise follower will tread a lot more carefully to avoid ending up where they ended.
10. If you learn from the mistakes of others, you will not fall where they fall, and you will not perish where they perished; but if you fail to learn, you too will soon become a signpost that tells other not to follow the path you followed.
11. How ironic it is for someone who was aware of the pitfalls that consumed others to end up in the same pit. This is what happens to those who never take warnings seriously.
12. Are you like that? Do you say “it doesn’t matter “Yes, it does!

Anyone who allows Christ to truly be his Lord and Saviour will never walk in darkness. With total submission to His will our light can only shine bright and even brighter unto a perfect day. Every step such person takes is ordered by God and so sin can never take over such life. May we function in the grace to live above sin made available to us through Christ in Jesus name. We are daily refreshed as we study the Open Heavens devotional and we pray that God will always empower Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Father, let me never be a guinea pig. Make me an excellent example for others to follow.
HYMN
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
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 some day for a crown.
O 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. Refrain
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. Refrain
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share. Refrain
 
 

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Memorise: The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Psalm 145:15
Read: Daniel 10:7-13
7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Bible in one year: Esther 8:10, Ezekiel 48:21-35

1. More often than not, when a man receives provision before he or she has need for it, wastage occurs. Such a fellow will entertain expenditures that are focused more on unnecessary wants rather than on needs. This is why such an individual needs wisdom, guidance and lots of self-denial or self-control. May you not waste your provisions in Jesus’ Name!
2. However, provision could also come at the time of need. This type of arrangement is preferred by some people because it eradicates the likelihood of waste.
3. According to Psalm 46:5, when God is your refuge, He will always show up at the right time. He is never late! I pray that whatever assistance you need will locate you as soon as the need arises in Jesus’ Name.
4. In quite a number of situations, provision comes much after the day of need. This is totally unacceptable because the purpose for which the provision is needed is already defeated.
5. Provision long after need is almost as bad as total denial.
6. When help, assistance or provision is not available in the time of need, it will result in disappointment, feelings of rejection, shame and disgrace, painful loss or even death.
7. Do you know that many people who died in some ghastly accidents could have survived if only they received help at the time of the incident? There are some who survived for a few hours but later gave up the ghost because they did not receive medical attention at the hour of need.
8. John 10:10 talks of Satan’s evil mission to steal, kill and destroy. One way he does this is by delaying provision or help from reaching people in need.
9. In today’s Bible reading, following this petition to Heaven during a fast, an answer was sent to Daniel, but it was delayed by the Prince of Persia for 21 days. Daniel should have received the answer on the first day, but it was delayed for that whole period.
10. Every forces of delay, sent to set back your provision or help beyond the time of need, shall be frustrated, disgraced and paralysed in Jesus’ Name!
11. Whatever was programmed to reach you late shall arrive on time; you shall not be disappointed! That yoke of delay over your expectations is destroyed now!
12. The Lord will sort you out speedily in Jesus’ Name!

There are lessons in today’s bible reading that believers must be aware of and diligently work upon. We should be aware of the forces of darkness that could be a source of delay to prayers. Hence, consistency in prayers until result is achieved is paramount. It’s also amazing that even angels sent by God to deliver blessings could be hindered but it’s a reality from what we read in Daniel chapter 10. May we never be victim of demonic embargo on our provisions in Jesus’ name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye in Jesus name.

Key Point
One challenge of the rich is that because they have enough to meet their needs, even for the next 10, 20 or more years, their confidence is usually in their money and not in God.
HYMN
1 Through the love of God our Saviour,
all will be well.
Free and changeless is his favour,
all, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us,
perfect is the grace that sealed us,
strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
all must be well.
2 Though we pass through tribulation,
all will be well.
Ours is such a full salvation,
all, all is well.
Happy, still in God confiding,
fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
holy, through the Spirit’s guiding,
all must be well.
3 We expect a bright tomorrow,
all will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
‘All, all is well.’
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
in our living, in our dying,
all must be well.

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