Devotionals

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY 19TH JULY 2020–KNOWLEDGE PUFFETH UP.

MEMORISE:
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 8:2

READ: John 9:39-41.
39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

MESSAGE:

“…Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” 1 Corinthians 8:2

One of the biggest problems facing this generation is what is called ‘too know’ in Nigerian local parlance. In the past, it was the University lectures and professors who had this problem, but now that we have the internet, everyone feels very wise. Knowledge is good, but you must be careful that it does not make you puffed up. When something is puffed up, it is difficult to get anything into it because it is already full of air. One who feels he has a lot of knowledge may not be able to acquire more. If you feel like you know all about computers for example, when someone comes to teach about them, you would have the tendency to ignore the fellow. No matter how much knowledge you have, your disposition should still be that of someone who knows nothing.

Several times, I have been under ministrations where the fellow ministering did so from a Bible passage that I know well, yet I learnt something new from it. A wise philosopher once said “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.”

The phrase ‘Knowledge puffed up’ means that the knowledgeable is often proud. God hates pride. James 4:6 say God resist the proud. To resist means to push against the enemy. When someone is teaching, and you begin to correct the fellow in your heart, watch out: pride has set in. you are calling for God’s resistance.

Lastly, ‘knowledge puffed up’ can also mean that the knowledgeable is so swollen up, that he goes about boasting. As we can see from Romans 1:22, some in professing themselves to be wise, become fools. There is no wisdom is being talkative. Wise people talk only when necessary.

Get as much knowledge as you can, but never get puffed. Just like our memory verse for today says, no matter how much you know, never think that you know it all.

REFLECTION:
Are you puffed up with your knowledge?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 18:1-8.
2 Chronicles 29-31.
Psalm 48.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY 17TH JULY 2020: WALK IN THE SPIRIT.

MEMORISE:

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

READ: Romans 8:6-7

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

MESSAGE:

The moment you become a child of God; you have His Spirit within you.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’ John 3:6

Being born of the Spirit, you must learn to walk in Him so that you are not drowned by the world and its ways. Fish is born inside water and so cannot survive outside it. Birds are born to fly and can only thrive when they are flying, not when they are hopping. We are born of the Spirit so we thrive when we walk in Him.

When an eagle wants to kill a land animal, it takes it to the air. That is its territory. In the same way, you cannot win the world by using its principles; take the battle to the spirit realm. While you do all that is required in the physical to succeed in life, engage in the spiritual realm to win the battle of your life.

Think in the Spirit. Many of our thoughts leave out the Holy Spirit and thus limits our success. If you always put God in the equation, everything becomes possible. To walk in the Spirit, you must always be attentive to what He is saying at all times. You must ask the Holy Spirit for direction before you take any step. Before you speak, ask Him to give you utterance. Anyone who will walk in the Spirit must pray in tongues regularly; you must also sing in the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:15).

The basic secret of progress is consistency. If you will walk in the Spirit, then you must consistently be close to Him. You can’t decide to follow His lead when you are in trouble and then go your own way when you think everything is fine. If you want to walk in the Spirit, then you must surrender completely to Him, whether it is convenient or not.

KEY POINT:

Having the Spirit of God gives you an advantage over the people of the world; use that advantage wisely.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 23-27.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD.

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY 16TH JULY 2020-JUST A LITTLE SIN

MEMORISE:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

READ: James 2:10-13

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

MESSAGE:

The temptation to commit just one little sin is a trap that the devil uses to get many Christians. He tells them that they have been faithful all through and it wouldn’t hurt if they just indulge in this little sin; after all, many other people are doing far worse. Beloved, don’t fall into this trap of the enemy. The Bible says in Galatians 5:8-9 that:
“ This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”

James 2:10 says:
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

This is why Jesus said that if your entire body is holy except your eye, then you should pluck it out, because that little eye can bring trouble to the whole body (Matthew 5:29). It would be very sad for you to have done and avoid all you should as a Christian, only to go to hell because of “one little sin.” There is no little sin in the eye of God. Sin is sin and any soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:20).

The good news is that grace is available to overcome even the greatest of temptations; all we have to do is go to God and ask for help. Hebrews 4:15-16 tells us:
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
One seemingly little sin would always lead to another and the web would continue till you are fully entangled in the devil’s trap. 1 John 3:8 says:
“ He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning….”

That seemingly little sin can send you to hell. Submit completely to God, resist the devil and he will flee! (James 4:7).

PRAYER POINT:

Father, help me to access Your grace to overcome any temptation that the devil brings my way, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 18-22.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN : PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOR.

1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
o Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

2. Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

3. Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

4. Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee,
Whom in Heav’n but Thee.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 7TH JULY 2020–WE ARE GOING HIGHER: WORSHIP.

MEMORISE:
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. John 4:23

READ: John 4:19-24

19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

MESSAGE
Worship draws God’s attention. In fact, today’s memory verse says that God is actively searching for true worshipers.

When Bartimaeus wanted to get the Lord’s attention, he called Him “Jesus, the son of David.” In Yoruba land where I come from, when you really want to get something from a man, you start by recounting his antecedents and achievements. We have never needed God’s attention more than now, so this is the time to increase our worship of Him.

When you worship Him, He shows up in a great and unique way. In Acts 16:26, Paul and Silas worshipped Him and He showed up in an earthquake. In 2 Chronicles 20:22, Jehoshaphat and his people worshipped the Most High God and He made their enemies destroy one another. When you are faced with a battle, deploy the weapon of worship and watch the mighty power of God make you victorious.

At a wedding in a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the groom fell and died just as he was about to sign the marriage register. The pastor began to cry to God in prayers for the young man’s life to be restored, but instead of coming alive, he got colder. Someone then remembered what I had always taught about praises, so he told everyone to switch to praising God. They had only been doing so for a few minutes when God showed up; the groom came back to life and the wedding ceremony continued. God always shows up when we worship Him in Spirit and in truth. John 4:24 says:
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

God loves to be worshipped. He wants to be called the Holy One of Israel, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Rock of Ages, The Mighty Man of war, the Lord of lords, the Lord Strong and Mighty, the Lord mighty in battle, the King of kings, the Almighty God. Go ahead, take some time now to worship Him from the depth of your heart.

ACTION POINT:
Commit to a lifestyle of worship- in spirit and in truth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 15
2 Chronicles 26

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 29TH JUNE 2020—EQUIPPED FOR SERVICE.

MEMORISE:

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

READ: 1 Peter 5:1-4

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

MESSAGE

The choice of vessel to use for any purpose typically depends on the owner’s preference, as well as the suitability of each to the assignment at hand. So also, the person whom God would use for any assignment must meet God’s basic requirements. After God locates such a person, He then equip him/her for the divine assignment.

Many Christians are not fulfilling their purpose in life and ministry because they have consistently refused the required training for their assignment, and because they are not found to be suitable yet, their commissioning remains pending. May the Lord wake you up to the reality of your situation today, so you can take your rightful place in the Kingdom of God in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

God’s preparation through the cross transforms a person’s mind, heart, will and life such that he/she becomes aligned with God’s purpose.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Corinthians 9:8

People with broken spirits, dysfunctional families, health challenges, the poor, the demon-possessed, and the disenfranchised can all find peace and prosperity with God. This is the whole essence of Christianity and all it requires is our total submission to the preparation process. 2 Timothy 2:21 says “ If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

The Lord will only use the best- vessels purged (repentance and confession), as well as purified and sanctified.

God is seeking such a vessel; are you one?

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please purge, cleanse, and purify me for Your special service, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicle 19-23.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2020–DIVINE ENABLEMENT AND DILIGENCE.

MEMORISE:

So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Romans 9:16

READ: Psalm 127:1-5

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

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

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

MESSAGE

Many people think that they can succeed by their strength but this always leads to failure in their life’s pursuits. Our Bible reading for today is directly passing an eternal truth to us, that God is the secret of our prosperity.

The Bible says further:
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” Deuteronomy 18:18

Looking through the lives of Biblical heroes, you would find some human frailty in each, like the ‘perfect Noah’ who became drunk to the point of casting a curse upon his own child.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

It is equally written that the Holy Spirit assigns and empowers us to perform some specific assignments (1Corinthians 12:6).

However, we must not be lazy under the guise that it is God who will work through us. While it is true that He works in us, we must be diligent and obsessed with soul winning no matter what it may cost. The Holy Spirit crowned Paul’s efforts with success by granting Him divine enablement but we must also note that he was very diligent and obsessed with soul winning. Diligence encapsulates executing your assignment with care, consistence, vigor and at the right time. Obsession is an excessive devotion to someone or something to the point of personal loss, injury or death. Obsession made Paul go as far as he did, teaching his children-in-the-Lord to do likewise. To Timothy he wrote:

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2

I pray that the Almighty God will grant you the enablement to achieve His purpose for your life in the matchless name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please give me the enablement to do all that You require of me, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 22. 2 Chronicles 18

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 15TH JUNE 2020–EVIDENCE OF A DIVINE ENCOUNTER.

MEMORISE:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

READ: Acts 4:8-14

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

MESSAGE

God created every human being with the potential and ability to fulfil purpose.

According to John 1:12, a very important part of God’s plan for every human being is to attain full sonship. Now, sonship starts from being born again then growing in the Spirit. This is where being with Jesus comes in. It is absolutely impossible for anyone to take this journey and exhibit Christ-like behavior unless the person has been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 says:
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

Knowing that Peter and John were ordinary fishermen, the people marveled at their confidence, boldness and wisdom, realizing it could only be the result of a divine encounter. A divine encounter is the special visitation of the Holy Spirit. Without an encounter with the power of the Spirit, you would live far below your potential.

To fulfil your destiny, you must partner with the Holy Spirit by seeking a divine encounter with Him.

Peter realized his potential. Although initially full of fear, after Pentecost, he became so bold that even the council’s threats could not stop him. He had ordinarily lacked the fire, zeal, and direction because after Christ’s death, he stopped fishing for souls and returned to being an ordinary fisherman (John 21:1-3). However, after Pentecost, he was able to perform according to Heaven’s expectations. Like Peter, you need to encounter Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, and everything you require to fulfill destiny will be provided in the mighty name of Jesus.

Make a habit of spending time with Jesus daily, it will determine how far you will go.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, as I commit to spending more time with You, let Your presence be evidence in my life, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 9. 2 Chronicles 8

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: BLESSED ASSURANCE.

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

o Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY 13TH JUNE 2020–POWER OVER SIN.

MEMORISE:
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:28

READ: Galatians 3:20-26

20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

MESSAGE
Many Christians think the law (the Old Testament) is no longer of any effect and thus behave carelessly, claiming that because they are born again, grace covers all their sins. Paul clarifies this in the following Scripture:
“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

The old covenant protected the people against temporal death, poverty, all forms of suffering and bondage but the new delivers eternally (Matthew 1:21; 26:28). Your ability to overcome sin is proof that you are a child of God, John the Beloved corroborated this when he said in 1 John 3:9 that “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

Are we really children of God? If we still wallow in sin, we remain in the old dispensation and the letter of the law will punish us here and in the afterlife.

The superiority of the new covenant over the old however is that, while the latter puts constraints to prevent sin, the new gives power over it. Romans 6:14 says: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” We therefore have the assurance that grace will work for us. Romans 6:1 however cautions that we cannot remain in sin, expecting grace to abound. Rather, grace empowers us to conquer sin. You do not have any excuse to abide in sin.

ACTION POINT:
Tap into the power of the new covenant to overcome sin.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 6-7
Psalm 136

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD.

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY 9TH JUNE 2020.—THE UNCHANGING CHRIST

MEMORISE:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

READ: John 5:20-29

20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

MESSAGE

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6

The statement above was made by God the Father and is representative of the entire God-head.

We live in very dynamic times, and this could make the future frightening, but there is hope for those who have faith in the Unchanging Christ, the Son of the Living God. Everything can change but God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit will never change; neither will His standards.

“And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17

He said to those who are going into marriage “…Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” (Mark 10:11-12). When the Pharisees attempted to justify divorce from the point of view of the Law of Moses, Jesus said: “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female… Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.” (Matthew 19:4, ?.

Whoever decides to flout this divine arrangement does so to his or her own peril, even though the consequence may not be immediate. Reuben slept with his stepmother but the consequence surfaced after many decades when he should have received blessings from his father (Genesis 49:4).

May those things that we regard as inconsequential not prevent us from entering into the Kingdom of God in the mighty name of Jesus. God’s standard does not change. Remember, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please build up my faith in the unchanging Christ.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 22-24.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 21: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD.

1. Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

2. Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!

3. All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
The Son, and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven—
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL SUNDAY 7TH JUNE 2020—GATES OF ADVERSITY MUST BE LIFTED.

MEMORISE:
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. Acts 16:26

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.

MESSAGE

Gates of adversity are seemingly insurmountable obstacles- be it an individual, kingdom or situation, obstructing the progress of a person or group of people.

Biblical examples of gates of adversity include Pharaoh with the Egyptian army, the wall of Jericho and Goliath the Philistine. Situations representative of gate of adversity include mountains, poverty, sickness, slavery, captivity, siege, and barrenness. Those who are held bound by such gates would therefore find it extremely difficult to succeed in life. These conditions have consistently proven insurmountable by human effort, but Mark 10:27 says “…With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

God’s purpose for mankind is seen in Genesis 1:28 where God commanded us to “…be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion…” Manifestations of contrary circumstances in life are abnormalities usually brought about by sin and hidden works of the devil.

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Psalm 24:7

My Daddy- the creator of heaven and earth, the Almighty, can destroy every gate of adversity. Zechariah 4:7 says, “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain…” Isaiah 10:27 also says “…and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”

Are you troubled by any gate of adversity? If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, do so now. If you are born again, then commit to serving God for the rest of your life and He will fight for you. I command every gate of adversity in your life to be destroyed now in the mighty name of Jesus.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please uproot every gate of adversity in my life and family today, in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 16-18.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 23 : ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

o Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never ’gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

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