Open Heaven 19 August 2019 Monday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Divine Wisdom & Understanding

Topic: Divine Wisdom & Understanding (Open Heaven 19 August 2019)

Memorise: “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?” – 1 Kings 3:9

Read: 1 Kings 3:15-28 (KJV)

15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.

17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.

18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.

19 And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it.

20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.

21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.

22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.

23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.

25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.

28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 24-25, Ezekiel 36:16-32

Open Heaven 19 August 2019 Monday MESSAGE:

A person who possesses competency in knowledge and skill has great potential to succeed in life. When such competency is derived from God, it is referred to as divine understanding. Succeeding in life is all about recognizing and utilizing the opportunities God brings our way, coupled with making the right choices in life. A person endowed with divine understanding is therefore able to excel in life because he or she has the ability to discern what is true, ethically right and sound, based on God’s word. God alone possesses wisdom and understanding in the absolute sense, and He gives these to those who seek them from Him with a humble heart. In relation to people, divine wisdom refers to the abilities God gives in every area of life, including craftsmanship, knowledge and insight for right decisions. Divine wisdom cannot be received by those whose confidence is based on human cleverness and insight without God’s revelation. This kind of human wisdom may produce temporary success in life, but it often comes to naught in the long run (1 Corinthians 3:19-20).

Understanding is built on the foundation of knowledge and the ability to use it correctly. There are different ways God imparts understanding to a person. For example, understanding can be received in the place of observing how others live or do things (Proverbs 24:30-32). It can also be acquired through studying God’s word and His wondrous works in the universe (Psalm 119:130, Job 37:14-20). Understanding can also come from parental guidance or as a result of practical experience in life (Proverbs 4:1-5). Above all, it can be received through the impartation of God’s Spirit in the place of prayer, as it happened to Solomon (1 Kings 3, Ephesians 1:15-18).

Worldly wisdom and understanding build pride and false hope in people, who go on to arrogate success in life to themselves and not to the Almighty God. This folly has led to the downfall of many people and kingdoms all over the world, as seen in the example of Babylon in Isaiah 47:10-11. No wonder Proverbs 26:12 says:

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”

Furthermore, in Isaiah 29:14, the Bible says worldly wisdom shall perish. The people of this world can never receive the wisdom of God. Divine understanding is only accessible to those who are willing to give up their reliance on human insight in exchange for God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:14-15). May the Lord fill you with divine understanding today in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 19 August 2019 Monday Prayer Point:
Father, please fill my heart with divine understanding today in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 19 August 2019 Monday Hymn 3: Trust and Obey
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

Chorus:
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 nor a fear
Not a sigh nor 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 nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest 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 favour He shows,
And 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.

Open Heaven 18 July 2019 – The Vessel that God Uses

Topic: The Vessel that God Uses (Open Heaven 18 July 2019)

Memorise: “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.” – 2 Timothy 2:20

Read: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 10-11, Ezekiel 18:30-19:14

Open Heaven 18 July 2019 Thursday MESSAGE:

In today’s memory verse, the Holy Spirit makes it clear that there are different categories of vessels, all of which God uses. In other words, there is no one who comes into the world without serving one divine purpose or the other. The question is, what material are you made of, and what category of vessels do you belong to? There are vessels made of gold, silver, wood and clay. However, more sobering is the classification of vessels into those for honour and those for dishonour. I pray that you will be a vessel unto honour in Jesus Name. Pharaoh was a vessel unto dishonour. In Romans 9:17, the Bible says concerning him:

“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.”

A deep secret in the above scripture is that man is given the freewill to choose what type of vessel he wants to be. Pharaoh was given ample opportunity to write a beautiful history concerning himself as a king who feared God and save his people the agony of catastrophic destruction. What did he do with that opportunity? He bungled it and perished in the Red Sea. Unlike him, Abimelech who took Abraham’s wife listened to God, did exactly what God instructed him to do, and he was blessed (Genesis 20:2-18). His barren wife and maidservant became fruitful. The king of Nineveh also was a vessel unto honour. He led his city to repentance, and they obtained God’s mercy because they chose to obey His instructions.

Today’s Bible text gives a clue on how to become a vessel unto honour. In it the Holy Spirit emphatically says that whoever chooses to be a vessel unto honour, such as a minister of the gospel, must be blameless, among other requirements. The reason for this high standard is not far-fetched: honourable assignments are meant for honourable people. Sinners are not honourable in the sight of God. No wonder 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.”

This is the higher ground to which the Lord is calling us. We can be vessels of honour if we choose to be. All that is required of us is to do what the Holy Spirit specified in 2 Timothy 2:21. Cleanse yourself of the dishonourable works of the flesh, be sanctified by grace and let the Holy Spirit dwell in you. God bless you.

Open Heaven 18 July 2019 Thursday Prayer Point:
Father, please make me a vessel unto honour in Your hands, in Jesus Name.

Also Read Open Heaven 17 July 2019 – Put your Gift to Use

Open Heaven 18 July 2019 Thursday Hymn 4: Take My Life, And Let It Be
1 Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.

2 Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3 Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4 Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5 Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6 Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Open Heaven 16 July 2019 – What do you See?

Topic: What do you See?

Memorise: “And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.” – Exodus 2:2

Read: Psalm 127:1-5 (KJV)

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.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 6-7, Ezekiel 17:22-18:13

Open Heaven 16 July 2019 Tuesday MESSAGE:

What parents see in their children goes a long way to determine how well they treasure them. As God’s heritage, it is important that parents see the image of God in their children, so that they can nurture them for the glory and pleasure of God, who is their rightful Owner. Unfortunately, some parents, especially in under-developed nations, treat their children as domestic animals or working machines, so much so that you begin to wonder if they purposely gave birth to them for economic reasons. Many abuse their children by engaging them in money making ventures and making them become breadwinners at a tender age. I know of a man who has about thirteen children. He gives them out to serve as domestic workers and collects the wages of their labour to feed himself. Clearly, he does not see his children as carriers of God’s image.

Furthermore, some couple decide to abort pregnancies they are not prepared for. However, you look at it, this is murder- a grievous sin against God and humanity. God asked me to tell someone reading this devotional that the pregnancy you are about to terminate is your glory; don’t abort the child that will bring God’s glory upon your life. When “stuck” with an unwanted child, many parents go ahead to despise such a child, instead of seeing him or her as a pleasant surprise from God. These are all examples of ungodly parenting.

In Exodus 2:1-4, we see what godly parents look like. Moses’ mother, Jochebed, was a godly parent. Even then though Pharaoh had ordered all sons born to Hebrew families to be killed at birth, she saw God’s image in her own child and did all she could to preserve him. Exodus 2:2 says:

“And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.”

When the baby could no longer be hidden, she decided to commit him into the hands of his original Owner, the Almighty. In all this, Moses’ parents never imagined that this child was to become the deliverer of the whole nation of Israel. The Lord asked me to tell someone using this devotional that, that child you think is a problem will turn around to put smiles on your face in your lifetime. All you need to do is to give that child the best you have as a springboard for his or her leap into destiny. Children are carriers of God’s image, and unless we see them in that light, there is the tendency to abuse them and lose the blessings accompanying them. In light of what today’s Bible reading says about children, I encourage all parents to first surrender their lives to God, and then it will be easy for them to also surrender their children to Him for supreme care. Parents who do this will not be denied their blessings in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 16 July 2019 Tuesday Prayer Point:
Father, please open my eyes to see Your image and glory in the children You have given me, and help me cooperate with You in the fulfilment of their destinies.

Also Read: Open Heaven 15 July 2019 – To Obey is better than Sacrifice

Open Heaven 16 July 2019 Tuesday Hymn 16: God Give Us Christian Homes
1 God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the master’s
Will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty thy love hath wrought;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

2 God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

3 God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in queenly quest
Strive to show others thy way is best
Homes where the lord is an honoured guest;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

4 God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!
Amen.

Open Heaven 15 July 2019 – To Obey is better than Sacrifice

Topic: To Obey is better than Sacrifice (Open Heaven 15 July 2019)

Memorise: “And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” – 2 Corinthians 10:6

Read: 1 Samuel 15:17-22 (KJV)

17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 3-5, Ezekiel 17:7-21

Open Heaven 15 July 2019 Monday MESSAGE:

Disobedience has the evil tag of being the first sin man committed. The deadly mystery of this sin is that disobedient people more often than not never accept blame for their act. They tend to give excuses and blame other people or “factors beyond their control”. This is what Adam did when God questioned him concerning his disobedience. Genesis 3:12 says:

“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”

Unfortunately, his excuse did not clear him of responsibility, nor did it deter God from punishing him. Another person who gave excuse for disobedience is King Saul. In today’s Bible reading, when he was confronted with his sin, he tried to justify himself by using the good act of sacrifice as an excuse for his disobedience. In response to his attempt at justifying himself, God’s prophet told him in 1 Samuel 15:22:

“…Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Let us take a closer look at King Saul’s excuse for disobeying God. 1 Samuel 15:21 says:

“But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.”

Saul’s excuse was that it was not him, but the people who took the spoil. This makes one wonder who was leading who in the battle against the Amalekites. He was just trying to pass the buck. He felt he could appease God or His prophet, Samuel, by presenting a big offering in the form of sacrifice:

Beloved, in what areas are you disobeying God? You better repent today and cultivate the habit of living by the dictates of the infallible word of God. No amount of service you render to God can take the place of obeying His word. No amount of money given as seed offerings, tithes or donations can justify indulging in fraudulent practices at your place of work. May the Lord give you the grace to obey His commandments to the letter in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 15 July 2019 Monday Prayer Point:

Father, please help me to obey you willingly and completely as a show of my gratitude to You for Your goodness and mercy over me.

Open Heaven 15 July 2019 Monday Hymn 3:

Trust and Obey

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.

Chorus:
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.

Open Heaven 12 July 2019 – Fighting God?

Open Heaven 12 July 2019 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Fighting God?

Topic: Fighting God? (Open Heaven 12 July 2019)

Memorise: “Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?” – Jeremiah 2:5

Read: Isaiah 45:5-9 (KJV)

5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

9 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?

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 31-32, Ezekiel 16:15-34

Open Heaven 12 July 2019 Friday MESSAGE:

The title of today‘s devotional is a question we all need to answer. Is it possible for a mere mortal to fight God? The word of God makes it clear that even though it’s an exercise in futility, in reality, it is something people do. Psalm 2:1-3 says:

“1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

This scripture describes what is happening in our world today. The governments of several nations have taken counsel against God and against Jesus Christ, His anointed. Teachings about God have been thrown out of public schools, praying publicly in the Name of Jesus is forbidden, and preaching in public space in the Name of Jesus Christ is illegal in many societies. As prophesied in this scripture, some societies have cast away the Biblical cords of restraint that hitherto defined morality. In the name of freedom of though and self, they have broken off the bands of God’s commandments and created room for individuals to indulge in and advocate for all manner of profane lifestyles. People should remember that all those who towed this path in times past ended up being destroyed. You cannot fight against God without grave consequences.

Are you guilty of fighting God? Do you even believe in Him? Those who don’t believe God exist are indirectly saying that they are not answerable to His authority. This sets them in direct confrontation with God, and He can choose to prove His existence to them, pharaoh provoked God to prove Himself by this utterance in Exodus 5:2, saying:

“…Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.”

Those who provoke God to prove His existence and capabilities are fighting Him. Those who move God to jealousy by breaking the covenant they made with Him are also fighting Him (Isaiah 45:9; Jeremiah 2:5). The children of Israel broke the covenant they had with God by disobeying His ordinances. This made God jealous, causing Him to fight against them. I pray that you will not provoke God’s anger in Jesus Name. What is the state of the covenant between you and the Lord Jesus Christ, which you entered into at the altar of repentance? Have you crucified Him afresh and put Him to shame by falling away from the truth (Hebrews 6:4-6)? Are you abiding by the covenant to tithe, or have you joined scoffers to trample God’s commandment under foot? Beloved, in whatever area you are fighting God, repent today before it is too late.

Open Heaven 12 July 2019 Friday Action Point:
Examine whether you have broken any part of your covenant with God and repent.

Also Read: Open Heaven 11 July 2019 – The Signs Still Follow

Open Heaven 12 July 2019 Friday Hymn 17: Hold The Fort

1 Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

Chorus:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”

2 See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;
Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!

3 See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we triumph over every foe.

4 Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!

Open Heaven 9 July 2019 – Not By Bread Alone

Open Heaven 9 July 2019 – Not By Bread Alone

Open Heaven 9 July 2019

Topic: Not By Bread Alone (Open Heaven 9 July 2019)

Memorise: “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” – John 4:34

Read: Deuteronomy 8:1-3 (KJV)

1 All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.

2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 25-27, Ezekiel 13:20-14:11

Open Heaven 9 July 2019 Tuesday MESSAGE:

Food is a very important part of our existence as human beings. Even before God created man, He had created the things that Adam and Eve would eat. From this we see that eating food is not ungodly. In fact, as part of God’s instruction to Adam, he told him what was available for Him to eat. Genesis 2:16 says:

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:”

Nevertheless, man’s existence does not depend solely on food. Adam and Eve failed to realize this when the tempter came to dangle the forbidden fruit before them and they fell headlong for it. No wonder the Lord took the Israelite through the rigors of the wilderness for forty years, to teach them that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of His mouth. This session is so critical that even the first test Jesus faced in the wilderness of temptation was based on it (Matthew 4:1-4). All this happened so we can learn from it.

Amazingly, although food may appear basic and ordinary, it can lead to a man’s downfall. A good example of this is Esau, who sold his birthright for a plate of pottage (Genesis 25:29-34). We must therefore open our ears to learn from the Holy Spirit when He speaks to us on food. In Deuteronomy 8:3, He says man shall not live by bread alone. In other words, bread is part of the things that man needs to live, but this bread must come by a process that follows the pattern of God’s word and meets its standards. This is why Jesus Christ refused to turn stone into bread when the devil asked him to (Luke 4:3-4). He showed us that food is good but it must follow the dictates of God’s word and not be influenced by the devil’s suggestions. Thank God that the Second Adam overcame the mistakes of the first Adam.

Many Christians have shipwrecked their faith because of food and drink, failing to heed that Lord’s warning in Matthew 6:25, which says:

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”

Or course, the answer to the Lord’s question is obvious: life is more than meat. This is why it is foolishness to eat the food of death, since the essence of food is to keep us alive in the first place. We must not live by bread alone. In all we do, we must continually look out for the perfect will of God and avoid anything that will send us to hell. May the Lord grant you understanding of this in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 9 July 2019 Tuesday Prayer Point:

Father, please give me the understanding of your word, so that I may live by it and be blessed.

Also Read: Open Heaven 8 July 2019 – In the ways of the Lord

Open Heaven 9 July 2019 Tuesday Hymn 12: Deeper, Deeper In The Love Of Jesus
1 Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.

Chorus:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.

2 Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.

3 Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.

4 Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.

5 Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.

Open Heaven 8 July 2019 – In the ways of the Lord

Open Heaven 8 July 2019 – In the ways of the Lord

Topic: In the ways of the Lord (Open Heaven 8 July 2019)

Memorise: “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4

Read: 1 Samuel 8:1-5 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.

3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 23-24, Ezekiel 13:8-19

Open Heaven 8 July 2019 Monday MESSAGE:

The Bible says children are the heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward (Psalm 127:3). In other words, God is the owner of children, and He gives them to whoever He pleases. Whenever God counts an individual worthy to have custody of His possession, the fellow should be careful of what he or she does with it. For this reason, through His word, God teaches us how to handle children as precious seeds kept in our care. One of His teachings on this all-important subject matter is found in our memory verse, where the Lord says we must train our children in his ways, not according to any other system.

Today’s Bible reading reveals the danger of not taking godly care of our children. As upright as Samuel was, he failed in the area of bringing up his children in the ways of the Lord. Concerning his sons, 1 Samuel 8:3 says:

“And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.”

The surprising aspect of this story is that Samuel witnessed how Eli and his household were cut off because Eli did not nurture his children in the ways of the Lord. Beloved, it is better a person does not bear a child than to have child and fail to take godly care of him or her. Eli’s example shows that a heavy price accompanies failure in this regard.

The story was told of a mother who immersed himself into training her son to succeed academically and career-wise, but she neglected training in the fear of God and did not expose him to spiritual activities that could connect him to God. Meanwhile, the son progressed at school, graduated with good grades, and eventually got a good job in the city. Having tasted life in the city, he forgot his roots and did not keep in touch with his mother. One day, his mother decided to visit him in the city, having missed her son for a long time. When she got to her son’s house, she met the gate securely locked. She knocked for a long while before her son managed to open the window of his front room, and behold, it was his mother sweating in the African sun. “Mum, you did not tell me you were coming!” the young man yelled. He then threw a wad of cash at her and told her to go back to the village. This woman wept bitterly. How sad! This is what the wages of nursing a child for ourselves and not for God looks like. I pray that this will not be your portion that this will not be your portion as a parent in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 8 July 2019 Monday Action Point:
Align the way you are bringing up your children with the principles of God’s

Also Read: Open Heaven 7 July 2019 – Ask, Ask & Ask Again

Open Heaven 8 July 2019 Monday Hymn 16: God Give Us Christian Homes
1 God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the master’s
Will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty thy love hath wrought;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

2 God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

3 God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in queenly quest
Strive to show others thy way is best
Homes where the lord is an honoured guest;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!

4 God, give us christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God, give us christian homes;
God, give us christian homes!
Amen.

Prayer Points on Today's Open Heavens: (Saturday, July 6, 2019) - *GIVE, GIVE AND GIVE AGAIN*

1.I worship and adore You, my Father, because there is nothing I could lay claim to, in life, that has not been given to me from above.

2. Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus' name.

3. Father, let every spirit of stinginess in my life be consumed by Your fire, and give me a generous heart of giving, to the poor, to the needy and to Your church, in Jesus' name.

4. Father, for all my giving, let men give unto my bosom, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, in Jesus' name

5. Father, destroy every spirit of discouragement that is preventing me from giving, due to my perceived ungratefulness from those that I have helped in the past, in Jesus' name.

6. Father, let me always give to men, as unto You, not expecting any reward or compensation from those that I give to, but from You, who has commanded me to give, in Jesus' name.

7. Father, empower me to render any help that is in my capacity to render, today, not deferring it till tomorrow, because, no one knows what could happen tomorrow, in Jesus' name.

8. Father, give me the grace to be quick, in responding to Your call to give, and let me never be tired of giving, again and again, in Jesus' name.

9. Father, help me to identify and reach out to missionaries, in various mission fields with my substance, and support the work of spreading the gospel, which You have committed into their hands, in Jesus' name.

10. Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, and reward him abundantly, for all his giving and sacrifices, for the sake of the gospel of Christ, in Jesus' name.

11. Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus' name.

12. Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus' name.

13.Your Personal petitions. ( Philippians 4:6)

14.In Jesus' name I pray. (John 14:13-14; 15:16)

15.Thank you Father for answered prayers. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Open Heaven 6 July 2019 – Give, Give & Give Again

Open Heaven for today

Open Heaven 6 July 2019 Saturday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Give, Give & Give Again

Topic: Give, Give & Give Again (Open Heaven 6 July 2019)

Memorise: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” – Luke 6:38

Read: Proverbs 3:27-28 (KJV)

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 18-20, Ezekiel 12:7-20

Open Heaven 6 July 2019 Saturday MESSAGE:

These days, many children of God do not pay attention to giving. For many, their experience with false prophets has made them averse to giving, while some are now tired of giving because they have been ignorantly sowing on infertile ground and have not reaped their expected harvest. Have you chosen not to give for one reason or the order? Whatever the reason may be, your experience does not change the validity of God’s word. If the word of God is not working for you, you must have gotten something wrong somewhere. Examine you past actions on giving and make appropriate adjustments where required. The question is, how much and how often should you give?

According to Proverbs 3:27-28, we are to help anyone who is in need, just as Jesus taught in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). When I was in kindergarten, my teacher taught us a song which says “whosoever you have the power to help is your neighbor; so help him or her”. Furthermore, this scripture teaches that we should not postpone the good deeds of today till tomorrow. Tomorrow might be too late! The story was told of a man who delayed to help his younger brother get the medical treatment he needed. When he later made up his mind to help, he took the money to the hospital, only to meet his brother’s lifeless body on the way to the mortuary! His help was late. In other words, giving is time-bound. Esau is another example of someone who gave belatedly. By the time he brought his father the meal needed to procure his blessing, someone else had carted the blessing away already. We must be quick to respond to calls to give, especially when it comes to projects that have to do with God’s kingdom. Another lesson we should learn from our Bible text is that for as long as you still have anything to give, you must not stop giving. God is telling us today to give, give and give again. The good thing about giving is that the giver can never lack something to give. Proverbs 11:24 says:

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”

Beloved, give, give and give again, because you will be adequately rewarded.

Open Heaven 6 July 2019 Saturday Action Point:

Reach out to missionaries in the fields, find out their needs and give what you can to help the spread of Christ’s gospel.

Open Heaven 6 July 2019 Saturday Hymn 5: Let Others See Jesus In You

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

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

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

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

Open Heaven 27 June 2019 – Preparing for Divine Communion

Open Heaven 27 June 2019  – Preparing for Divine Communion

Topic: Preparing for Divine Communion (Open Heaven 27 June 2019)

Memorise: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”- 1 Corinthians 11:28

Read: 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 (KJV)

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 1, Ezekiel 5:5-17

Open Heaven 27 June 2019 Thursday MESSAGE:
The Lord’s Supper, also known as the Last Supper, refers to the very last meal our Lord took before He was crucified on the cross of Calvary. This very important and mysterious meal also referred to as the Holy Communion is a multi-dimensional meal with diverse implication. The Lord’s Supper is interconnected with the Jewish Passover in a special way because Christ is the Passover Lamb that was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7). This special meal therefore brings to remembrance the Lord’s suffering and sacrificial death and represents the establishment of a new covenant for humanity in the Blood of Jesus. It also points us to Calvary, the place of Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion and death. Consequently, a certain level of sober reflection is expected when we celebrate the Holy Communion. By partaking in the Lord’s Supper, we also depict the coming marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven (Revelation 19:1-9). This adds a forward-looking dimension to this holy meal, so that it is not viewed simply as a memorial of past events alone. Essentially, the Holy Communion is not just a routine practice; it a celebration in faith, as we continue to hope and sing “Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus!”

Before celebrating communion as a memorial, there must be a clear understanding of and strict compliance with God’s instructions as it relates to the Holy Communion. It is most holy and meant for sanctified members of the family of God only. Anyone who is unclean or who is a stranger to the household of faith cannot partake of it. It is a most powerful meal that brings healing and deliverance from all kinds of bondage, but at the same time, it poses danger to anyone who partakes of it unworthily. Therefore, the importance of adequate preparation for divine communion cannot be overemphasized. The Holy Spirit cautions in 1 Corinthians 11:27 that whosoever eats the Holy Communion unworthily shall be guilty of profaning and sinning against the Body and Blood of Jesus. He then compels us to carefully examine our spiritual state and current standing with God, to deal with any sins we haven’t confessed yet and repair any broken relationship with God and man, before partaking of this meal. He warns that the Holy Communion should not be taken lightly, specifying that those who partake of it unworthily do so at the risk of eternal damnation. In 1 Corinthians 11:30, He reveals the bombshell that many in the Church are sickly and some have even died because they were ignorant of the power embedded in the Holy Communion and handled it carelessly. I pray that every time you take the Holy Communion, the power of death will be destroyed over you and the divine life of God will flow into your body, soul and spirit in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 27 June 2019 Thursday Action Point:
Thank the Lord for His Body which was broken for you, and for His Blood which was shed for your sins.

Open Heaven 27 June 2019 Thursday Hymn 4: Take My Life, And Let It Be
1 Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise

2 Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3 Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4 Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

5 Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6 Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Open Heaven 26 June 2019 – The Danger of Fruitlessness

Open Heaven 26 June 2019  – The Danger of Fruitlessness

Topic: The Danger of Fruitlessness (Open Heaven 26 June 2019)

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 forth more fruit.”- John 15:2

Read: Luke 13:6-9 (KJV)

6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 34-36, Ezekiel 4:4-5:4

Open Heaven 26 June 2019 Wednesday MESSAGE:

“Be fruitful” is the very first statement God made to mankind. This statement was pronounced both as a blessing and command. It is therefore obvious that fruitfulness is the heartbeat and overriding objective of the Almighty God for mankind. Out of His abundant love, God conferred fruitfulness as an irreversible blessing on mankind so that every human being is empowered to bear fruit effortlessly. He also made it a commandment so that everyone, without exception, must bear fruit. Fruitfulness is so important that Jesus in John 15:8 said that the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit, and by bearing much fruit, we demonstrate that we are His disciples indeed. Consequently, God reacts to fruitlessness the same way He reacts to rebellion, because failure to bear fruit is actually rebellion against the commandment and purpose of God for mankind (Luke 3:9, Matthew 21:19).

The question is, are you bearing fruit? What type of fruit are you producing? If you have not yet given your life to Christ, God expects you to first bear the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8). For those who are saved, God expects us to bear the fruit of the Spirit and produce the fruit of souls won into His kingdom (Ephesians 5:8-9, Matthew 28:18-20).

Our Lord Jesus Christ gave the disciples many Parable, including the Parable of Talents to teach them the importance of faithfulness in stewardship. In that parable, all the servants put their talents to profitable use. Except the servant to whom was entrusted one talent (Matthew 25:14-30). This servant went and dug the ground to hide his lord’s money where it lay fallow. When his lord returned and all servants rendered account of their stewardship, he was seriously reprimanded for his lack of productivity. His talent was taken away from him and given as bonus to another servant. In like manner, the Lord expects every one of His children to diligently put their talents and gifts into profitable use for the advancement of His kingdom. We are to do the works of Christ, of which spreading the gospel and soul-winning is paramount.

 If we fail to be fruitful or productive, we may be guilty of receiving the grace of God in vain, thereby becoming unprofitable servants. I pray that you will never be considered an unprofitable servant in Jesus’ Name. God is keenly looking out for our fruits, expecting us to bear fruit spiritually, physically, financially and materially. He will judge our individual and corporate performance by the quality and quantity of fruit we bear. May you bear fruits that abound and remain, in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 26 June 2019 Wednesday Prayer Point:
Father, please rebuke fruitlessness and stagnancy in my life today, in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Open Heaven 25 June 2019 – Be Determined!

Open Heaven 26 June 2019 Wednesday Hymn 12: Deeper, Deeper In The Love Of Jesus

1 Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.

Chorus:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.

2 Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.

3 Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.

4 Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.

5 Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.

Open Heaven 25 June 2019 – Be Determined!

Open Heaven 25 June 2019 – Be Determined!

Topic: Be Determined! (Open Heaven 25 June 2019)

Memorise: “After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”- Acts 19:21

Read: Act 21:10-15 (KJV)

10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 32-33, Ezekiel 3:16-4:3

Open Heaven 25 June 2019 Tuesday MESSAGE:

To be determined is to be singled-minded. it also means having firmness of purpose or being resolute to achieve success in any assignment committed into one’s hands. Determination is essential for anyone to succeed and be effective in life and ministry. God is looking for men and women who are faithful and determined stewards to commit special assignment to. Indeed, 2 Chronicles 16:9 says that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro the whole earth in search of determined people. It was in the process of this search that He found David (Psalm 89:20). When God searches a person out and commits an assignment into his or her hands, such a person must realize that stewardship is trust that must not be abused, and all stewards of God’s resources will give account of their service to God. As a faithful and dedicated worker in God’s vineyard, you have to be focused on your own mandate and never use another man’s parameters to evaluate your life (2 Corinthians 10:12). To be focused is to have a target and work towards actualizing it to the glory of the Almighty, keeping in mind that the business of God’s kingdom requires haste. In John 9:4, the Lord says:

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

To be commended by the Lord on His return, you must do His work heartily and cheerfully. It is my earnest prayer that as you devote all available energy and resources to the assignment committed into your hands, the Lord himself will prosper your determination in Jesus’ Name.

Determination is reflected in the lives of the heroes of faith. Noah showed determination in building the ark and carrying out all of God’s instructions to specification. Abraham displayed determination by obeying God to the letter. Moses showed determination in leading the Israelites out of Egypt and effectively communicating the will of God to them, and Nehemiah the builder was determined to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, even under hostile conditions. Sarah, David, Daniel, Esther and the prophets were all dedicated vessels of God who left legacies which endure even today. Above all, Jesus Christ displayed uncommon determination and steadfastness, not only to come to this world but also to go to Jerusalem to die for our sin (Luke 9:51). Determination is a virtue that is highly rewarding. The Bible says that God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). All the heroes of faith were greatly rewarded during their lifetime, and God gave them everlasting peace and joy in heaven. As you strive with determination in all your assignments, God will crown your efforts with resounding success, in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 25 June 2019 Tuesday Action Point:

Pursue your God-given dreams with vigour, even if you have tried and failed in the past.


Open Heaven 25 June 2019 Tuesday Hymn 17: Hold The Fort
1 Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

Chorus:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”

2 See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;
Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!

3 See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we triumph over every foe.

4 Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!

Open Heaven 24 June 2019 – Bowels of Mercies

Open Heaven 24 June 2019 – Bowels of Mercies

Topic: Bowels of Mercies (Open Heaven 24 June 2019)

Memorise: “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.”- 1 John 3:16

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (KJV)

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 30-31, Ezekiel 2:8-3:15

Open Heaven 24 June 2019 Monday MESSAGE:

Mercy is a concrete expression of compassion and love. It means to have pity or to feel concern out of sympathy for someone. Mercy is part of God’s core nature, and it defines that character in Him by which He faithfully keeps His covenant, fulfils His promises, and maintains His relationship with His children, despite our shortcomings, unworthiness and unfaithfulness (Exodus 34:6-7). This is very well explained in Romans 9:15-16, which says:

“15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”

Mercy connotes lovingkindness, goodness, grace, favor and steadfast love. The most prominent aspect of mercy is the compassionate disposition to forgive an offender, coupled with finding a way to help the offender out of his or her sorry situation. These qualities make it possible to lovingly correct fellow Christians who fall into error, instead of passing hostile judgement on them. Here is how the Holy Spirit commands us to deal with each other in Ephesians 4:2-3:

“2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Furthermore, while identifying the qualities that the Body of Christ must have, mercy and kindness are prominent on that list. He says in Colossians 3:12:

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”

God designed mercy to be an essential part of the Christian community, because it reveals the state of our heart. It is an intense inner feeling that usually manifests itself as compassionate acts of love and kindness. We are recipients of God’s mercy through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we live our lives in daily anticipation of new mercies from God. The consistent new outpouring of God’s mercy is the seal of God’s love for His children (Lamentations 3:22-23). In response to past, present and future gifts of God’s mercy, we also must be channels of divine mercy both within the Church and out there in the world (Jude 1:21-22). The Bible teaches us to take up the responsibility of showing mercy through the help ministry and assisting the less privileged (1 Corinthians 12:28). Charitable giving is a proper response to God’s mercy and a mark of genuine spirituality. I pray that you will be a candidate for God’s mercy and a dispenser of it, in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 24 June 2019 Monday Prayer Point:

Father, let Your nature of mercy find expression through me to others, in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 24 June 2019 Monday Hymn 14: Let Us With A Gladsome Mind

1 Let us, with a gladsome mind,
praise the LORD, for He is kind:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

2 Let us blaze His Name abroad,
for of gods He is the God:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

3 He with all-commanding might
filled the new-made world with light:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

4 All things living He doth feed;
His full hand supplies their need:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

5 He His chosen race did bless
in the wasteful wilderness:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.
6 He hath with a pious eye
looks upon our misery:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

7 Let us therefore warble forth
His high majesty and worth:
for His mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

Open Heaven 21 June 2019 – The Missionary Call

Open Heaven 21 June 2019 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Missionary Call

Topic: The Missionary Call (Open Heaven 21 June 2019)

Memorise: “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”- Luke 5:8

Read: Acts 13:1-5 (KJV)

1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 23-35, Lamentation 4:17-5:22

Open Heaven 21 June 2019 Friday MESSAGE:

Over the years, I have always used every possible opportunity I get to remind my children that soul-winning is not an option for a Christian, it is a necessity. Although God has made provision for the salvation of mankind, the Holy Spirit declares in Romans 10:13-15 that sinners may not have access to salvation unless preachers are sent. This highlights the importance of answering the call to missions. The call of God refers to God summoning individuals or groups of people to Himself for the purpose of fellowship and service, both in this world and in eternity. A great example of this is the call of the disciples by the Master in Mark 3:14, which says:

“14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,”

The call of God may be tied to a specific place, task or vocation in life, and it might also be of a general nature. For example, God called Abraham, Moses and Jeremiah for specific purposes (Genesis 12:1-3, Exodus 3:4, Jeremiah 1:5), and after Christ’s successful ministry on earth, He called all His disciples to accomplish the general mission of reaching out to the whole world (Matthew 28:18-20). The primary mandate of the Church is to reach out to all the nations of the earth with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, teaching and baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. This is our Great Commission. Referring to our mandate, an author once wrote, “It was a Jew who brought the Gospel to Rome; a Roman who took it to France; a Frenchman who took it to Scandinavia; a Scotsman who evangelized Ireland; and an Irishman that in turn made the missionary conquest of Scotland. No people have ever received the Gospel except at the hand of an alien”.

It is critical to note that every member of the Church has an obligation to preach the gospel, because our Lord said in Mark 13:10:

“And the gospel must first be published among all nations.”

Soul winners are not born; they are made out of ordinary individuals who possess a yielded spirit, commitment to do God’s will, compassion for lost souls, and a deep sense of God’s calling. I pray that you will not disappoint God’s grace upon your life, and that you will become an incurable soul winner in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 21 June 2019 Friday Prayer Point:

Father, please help me to fulfil my calling as a soul winner in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Open Heaven 20 June 2019 – More than Conquerors

Open Heaven 21 June 2019 Friday Hymn 15: Must I Go, And Empty-Handed

1 “Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?

Chorus:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him:
Must I empty-handed go?

2 Not at death I shrink nor falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.

3 O the years in sinning wasted;
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow.

4 O ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.

Open Heaven 20 June 2019 – More than Conquerors

Open Heaven 20 June 2019 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – More than Conquerors

Topic: More than Conquerors (Open Heaven 20 June 2019)

Memorise: “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”- 1 John 5:5

Read: Revelation 12:9-11 (KJV)

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 22, Lamentation 3:61-4:16

Open Heaven 20 June 2019 Thursday MESSAGE:

To conquer is to overcome and have dominion over a person, territory or kingdom. It therefore follows that a conqueror or overcomer is someone who has been able to defeat or overpower a person, territory or kingdom to the point of surrender. The word “conqueror” is also a military term which describes a person who has come out victorious from a war or conflict situation. Who then is our adversary? The answer is found in Ephesians 6:12, which says:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Through this verse we understand that our greatest enemy is the devil and his kingdom. As mere mortals, it is absolutely impossible to consider overcoming the devil in any form of contest. However, we speak of being conquerors on the basis of God’s declaration concerning us in 1 John 4:4, which says that God in us is greater than everyone in the world. Furthermore, we have the confidence to confront our enemies because God’s Spirit assures us in Romans 8:31 that if God is for us, no one can successfully stand against us. Indeed, regardless of the challenges we face in life, we are more than conquerors through the love of Jesus (Romans 8:36-37). Obviously, Jesus is the ultimate conqueror and overcomer. He fought for us, and through His conquest, we are more than conquerors, having obtained victory over the devil without having to fight him.

The Bible records many examples of winners and conquerors, but the greatest of them all is our Lord Jesus Christ. He triumphed over the devil in two spectacular ways that are worthy of mention. Firstly, in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus faced the devil in a most crucial contest of self-control, knowledge, wisdom and power, but He overcame, giving the devil a technical knockout through the power of God’s word. Secondly, the devil masterminded the unwarranted arrest, orchestrated the sham trial, and inspired the wicked execution of our Lord, not knowing that Christ would totally destroy him through His subsequent death and resurrection (Hebrews 2:14, 1 Corinthians 2:7). Colossians 2:15 says,

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

When Jesus died, he went to hell, where He captured the devil and freed the captives. He paraded the devil and his cohorts in an open show of shame, confirming His supremacy over the kingdom of darkness. No matter how hopeless your situation may be or fierceness of the battle against you, I decree that your enemies will be disgraced and you will be victorious, in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 20 June 2019 Thursday Prayer Point:

Father, make my enemies submit themselves to Your presence in my life, and let every gate blocking my progress open unto me of their own accord, in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Open Heaven 19 June 2019 – The Sure Antidote for Lack

Open Heaven 20 June 2019 Thursday Hymn 13: I Am A Victor
1 Yes, I know I am a victor
For the Bible tells me so
God made me more than a conqueror
Much stronger than all my foes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Open Heaven 19 June 2019 – The Sure Antidote for Lack

Open Heaven 19 June 2019 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Sure Antidote for Lack

Topic: The Sure Antidote for Lack (Open Heaven 19 June 2019)

Memorise: “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”- Proverbs 11:25

Read: Luke 6:27-38 (KJV)

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 20-21, Lamentation 3:25-60

Open Heaven 19 June 2019 Wednesday MESSAGE:

The greatest challenges confronting most people all over the world today is how to meet daily financial needs. In many cases, the inability to settle essential bills has led to broken homes, stress, sickness, mental illness and even suicide. Poverty seems to have driven a great number of misguided people into vices like gambling, prostitution, gangsterism, drug peddling, human trafficking and other serious illegal activities. However, God is not unmindful of our financial situations and troubles; rather. He is moved by compassion to prosper His obedient children. God’s desire for His children to enjoy all-round prosperity is revealed to us in 3 John 1:2, which says:

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

I keep telling my children that our Father’s ultimate desire is to see that we are all blessed. God wants us to dwell in His blessings and not live at the mercy of unbelievers. Indeed, the more wealth the Lord releases to us, the more His kingdom on earth will be expanded. Don’t believe those who tell you that you are not supposed to be wealthy as a follower of Christ. This is a false doctrine. God’s word says that you are to lend to nations and not borrow (Deuteronomy 15:6), adding that His blessings make us rich and add no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22). The Bible also says in Psalm 35:27b

“Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”

However, before you can take possession of your divine wealth, you need to use certain keys that will separate you from poverty and bring you to the realm of unprecedented riches in God. Luke 6:38 tells us that giving is the expressway to prosperity and the antidote to poverty, as it deals with poverty in a way that permanently eliminate lack in a person’s life (2 Corinthians 9:6). Let us establish some key points here. First and foremost, according to Luke 6:38, giving draws blessings to the giver. Secondly, while we are not expected to be frivolous with money, we must not conserve more than necessary, to the extent that it prevents us from fulfilling our obligations to God or helping the poor and needy. Proverbs 11:24 says:

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”

May God reward you abundantly for your past, present and future labour of love in his vineyard in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 19 June 2019 Wednesday Prayer Point:

Father, please help me to honour You with everything I have, in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 19 June 2019 Wednesday Hymn 1: There Shall Be Showers of Blessing

1 There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Saviour above.

Chorus:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2 There shall be showers of blessing—
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

3 There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

4 There shall be showers of blessing;
O that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

5 There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

Open Heaven 14 June 2019 – Conditions for the Anointing

Open Heaven 14 June 2019 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Conditions for the Anointing

Topic: Conditions for the Anointing (Open Heaven 14 June 2019)

Memorise: “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”- Hebrews 1:9

Read: Acts 8:18-24 (KJV)

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 10-11, Jeremiah 52:24-34

Open Heaven 14 June 2019 Friday MESSAGE:

The word ‘anointing’ is used in several passages of the Bible with reference to the consecration of prophets, kings, priest and things devoted to the worship of God. By this consecration, these persons or things are set apart and empowered to act in God’s power as His representatives on earth. The anointing therefore, refers to the power of God made available through His manifest presence. We see a manifestation of what the anointing is, how it operates and why it is given in Luke 5:17, which says:

“And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”

It is something special to witness the outpouring of God’s anointing, which is usually accompanied by His manifest power and magnificent presence. Whenever God decides to reveal His power through the operation of the anointing, natural laws become temporarily suspended, and we see miracles, signs and wonders of great magnitude. Consequently, children of God always desire such rare opportunities to experience the supernatural, just as people gather from far and near in Luke 5:17. However, God’s anointing is a free gift that money cannot buy. Even the most precious jewel on earth cannot be offered in exchange for it. Because our God does not cast His pearls before swine, certain conditions must be met for anyone who desires to operate in His anointing (Matthew 7:6).

1 Kings 18:30-38 shows some deliberate steps Prophet Elijah took to activate the anointing of God. First when the appointed time of worship came, he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. He did everything orderly and meticulously, following divine instructions. Thereafter, he called upon the Name of the Lord in prayer and worship, and God answered by fire. Therefore, if you want to activate God’s anointing in your life, you must first rebuild the altar of God and present yourself before Him as a living sacrifice without any blemish (Romans 12:1). You must be a true worshipper who worships God in spirit and in truth, making sure to adhere strictly to His pattern and instructions as revealed in the Bible. Finally, you must learn to wait patiently for God. There was a waiting period before the fire of the Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:4). The anointing makes you a terror to the kingdom of darkness and a notable representative of the Most High God. May the fire of God’s anointing fall mightily upon you today in the Name of Jesus.

Open Heaven 14 June 2019 Friday Action Point:

Assess yourself to see whether the parameters that attracted the anointing in today’s memory verse are present in your life.

Open Heaven 14 June 2019 Friday Hymn 11: When The Power Of God Descended

1 When the power of God descended
On the day of Pentecost,
All the day of waiting ended,
They received the Holy Ghost

Chorus:
O Lord, send the power just now,
O Lord send the power just now,
O Lord send the power just now,
And baptize, every one.

2 Tongues of flame came down upon them,
And they preached the word in power,
Listening multitudes awakened
Turned to God that very hour.

3 We are waiting Holy Spirit
We are all of one accord,
Lord fulfill just now the promise
That is given in thy Word.

4 Fill and thrill us with Thy presence,
Grant the blessing that we need
Flood our souls with wondrous glory,
While the prayer of faith we plead.