Open Heaven For Today 2023 – Open Heavens 16 December

Open Heaven For Today 2023 Saturday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – John the Beloved

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TOPIC: John the Beloved

MEMORISE:"Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved". John 13:23

READ: John 13:21-28 (KJV)

21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.

25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Philemon 1; Titus 1-3

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

Further into my study of how to become God’s favourite, I found that there was another disciple who also followed Jesus on the day He was crucified.

It was this disciple that helped Peter access the courtyard as we see in John 18:15-16. 

This other disciple apparently was John the Beloved as he referred to himself in the third person all through his account of the gospel.

When you read John 19:26-27, you will find that it was John who took the mother of Jesus into his own house. 

Anyone who looks after your mother must be very close to you.

I’ve always said that when you describe somebody as a Christian fanatic, it simply means he loves the Lord more than you.

In John 20:1-8, the Bible tells us that when they brought news to the Apostles that Jesus was risen, John was the first Apostle to get to the tomb.

In John 13:21-26 when the disciples sought to know who would betray the Lord, Peter beckoned to John and told him to ask Jesus, because he knew that John was the closest to him.

Thirteen people were at the table and two of them were speaking in codes the others could not understand. 

John was so close to Jesus that he could rest his head on His chest (John 13:23).

In our Bible reading for today, we see that it is only John that Jesus trusted with the identity of who would betray Him. 

Jesus trusted John with His secrets.

When God can trust you with His secrets, you become extremely close to Him. Jesus made John His confidant, that is why you find that in Revelation 1:1-20, it was John the Beloved whom Jesus chose to give the story of what will happen in the end times, Thousands of years ahead of his time.

In Revelation 10:4, there are things Jesus revealed to John that He said were for his ears only.

When you truly love God, you become willing to seek and fulfill His primary heart desire which is to bring souls into His Kingdom.

Reflection

Do you love God enough to place your head in His bosom?

HYMN 10: – In Christ Alone

1 In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

2 In Christ alone, who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe.

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied –

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

3 There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine –

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

4 No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life’s first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand:

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Open Heaven For Today 2023 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Peter The Rock

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TOPIC: Peter The Rock

MEMORISE:"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". Matthew 16:18

READ: John 21:15-17(KJV)

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 1-4

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

In my study of what it takes to become a favourite of God,

I saw in Luke 5:1-11, 

where the Bible tells us that after Jesus paid Peter a visit and performed that miracle of a boat-sinking catch, Peter left all and followed Him.

He didn’t sell the fish he caught that day.

However, all the other disciples also left everything they had and followed Him (Matthew 19:27),

so there must be something extra about Peter, and I saw a little bit of it in Mark 14:54 when Jesus was to be arrested and the disciples, fled.

The Bible says Peter followed after the Lord.

I know that people always like to underline the fact that he followed afar off, but at least he followed.

Where were the others?

Peter always followed Jesus because there was a rope permanently tied to Him and the Lord -the rope of love.

The love Peter had for Jesus was like a magnet drawing him closer to the Lord daily.

As soon as Peter recognised the Lord after His resurrection, he jumped into the sea to go and meet Jesus.

He abandoned the great catch of fish that he had just gotten – again.

Clearly, this shows that Peter was very much interested in the Lord, not what the Lord could give. He was interested in the Lord Himself.

Those who become God’s favourites are people who are not after what God can give them but after God Himself.

They just love God with all their hearts – whether He gives them anything or not.

It is this selfless love that made God choose Peter as His spokesman.

In Acts 2:14-40, on the day of Pentecost, who preached? Peter.

In Acts 3:1-8 at the Beautiful Gate, who spoke to the lame man? Peter.

When God wanted to uproot Ananias and Sapphira – the first pretenders in the Church, it was Peter who pronounced their death.

The Lord will not make you His favourite when He sees that your belly is actually your god and not Him (Philippians 3:19).

Some people want to be able to command the devil, but he mocks them because he knows that they love the things of the world, so they are under his control, not the other way around.

Reflection

Do you really love God – regardless of what He can give you?

HYMN 11: – I’ve Found A Friend In Jesus

1 I have found a friend in Jesus, He‟s everything to me; 

He‟s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul!

The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see

All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.

In sorrow He‟s my comfort, in trouble He‟s my stay; 

He tells me every care on Him to roll. (Hallelujah)

Chorus:

He‟s the Lily of the Valley,

the Bright and Morning Star; 

He‟s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. 

2 He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;

In temptation He‟s my strong and mighty tower; 

I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn

From my heart, and now He keeps me by His power. 

Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore, 

Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal: (Hallelujah)

3 He‟ll never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here, 

while I live by faith and do His blessed will;

A wall of fire about me, I‟ve nothing now to fear; 

with His manna He my hungry soul shall fill. 

Then sweeping up to glory, I‟ll see His blessed face, 

where rivers of delight shall ever roll.

Open Heaven For Today 2023 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – God Has Favourites

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TOPIC: God Has Favourites

MEMORISE:"As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated". Romans 9:13

READ: Romans 9:10-16 (KJV)

10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

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.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Timothy 1-6

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

When you look at the Apostles of the Lord, you will see that there were twelve of them, but there were three in the inner circle and there was one who was called The Beloved.

These three were the favourites of Jesus Christ and He took them with Him everywhere He went.

When He was going to Jairus’ house, He had all the twelve disciples with Him, but it was only those three who He took with Him (Mark 5:35-42).

Peter, James and John saw His power; they saw Him raise the little girl from death while the others only heard about it.

Why did the Lord have a special inner circle amongst His disciples and why did He love one of them specially?

Well, the simple answer is that God has favourites.

Many people say that God has no favorites. This is not true.

The question you should be asking therefore is 

“How do I become one of His favourites?”

When you read Romans 9:11-16, the Bible says a woman was pregnant with a set of twins.

Before they were born, God said the elder would serve the younger, that He loved one and hated the other even, when they were not yet born.

He said He would have mercy on whom He will have mercy and compassion on whom He would have compassion.

He said it is not of him that willeth or of him that runneth, but of the Lord who hat showeth mercy.

In Acts 10:34-35, the Bible says:

 

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

This passage makes me see clearly that God looks out for certain things in people before He makes them His favourites.

I took a close look at Peter, James and John – His three favourite disciples. I studied Peter and John especially, because it wasn’t long after Jesus’ ascension that James was killed.

I will share what I learnt from these two with you in the next two days.

PRAYER POINT

Father, even if You will only pick one person as Your favourite, please let it be me.

HYMN 6: – I Am So Glad That Our Father In Heav’n

I am so glad that our Father in heaven

Tells of His love in the Book He has given;

Wonderful things in the Bible I see,

This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

Refrain:

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me.

2 Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;

Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;

Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;

Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

3 In this assurance I find sweetest rest,

Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blest;

Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,

When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.

4 Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,

When in His beauty I see the great King,

This shall my song through eternity be,

“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

5 If one should ask of me, how can I tell?

Glory to Jesus, I know very well!

God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,

Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

Open Heaven For Today 2023 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Dangers of Fame

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TOPIC: Dangers of Fame

MEMORISE:"Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God". 1 Samuel 15:30

READ: 1 Samuel 15:24-30 (KJV)

24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord.

26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.

28 And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  2 Thessalonians 1-3

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

Fame is something that many people pursue without actually knowing just how dangerous it is.

Once you are in the limelight, you have to become extra careful.

You have to watch your every move because people are looking at you.

Sometimes when we go for an event and I am to sit at the high table, my driver will say “You sit at the high table and we will sit where we can eat”.

Those at the high table, though hungry, always act otherwise.

Even if they eat at all, it would only be a little, with plenty of caution because all eyes are on them.

When you are famous, it is as if you are on the high table everyday of your life and believe me honestly, there is nothing like just being free to do whatever you want to do without anyone looking at you.

When you are famous, you cannot even take a stroll outside or play in a public place like every other person.

One of the dangers of being famous is that people tend to forget that famous people are human beings too.

I thank God that I have never been after fame so I show regularly that I am as human as anybody can be.

I still occasionally buy roasted plantain on the roadside.

These days it has become more difficult to do that because of the escort vehicles, but as often as I can, I still do, not minding who is looking at me.

I am not after fame so whatever anybody thinks is their own business.

When you are famous, people expect more from you than the average person and if care is not taken, you would not want to disappoint them.

Don’t pursue fame; as exciting as it may seem, it comes with a lot of problems.

Fame may come as you fulfil your assignment on earth, but it should not be your goal.

Those who chase after people knowing and liking them all the time are likely to get into trouble.

In our Bible reading today, King Saul got into trouble with God because he wanted to look good in the eyes of the people.

The only fellow you should live to please is God.

KEY POINT:

Pursuing fame will land you in trouble.

HYMN 3: – Ancient Words

1. Holy words long preserved

For our walk in this world

They resound with God’s own heart

Oh, let the ancient words impart

Chorus

Ancient words ever true

Changing me and changing you

We have come with open hearts

Oh, let the ancient words impart

2. Words of Life, words of Hope

Give us strength, help us cope

In this world, where e’er we roam

Ancient words will guide us home

3. Holy words of our Faith

Handed down to this age

Came to us through sacrifice

Oh heed the faithful words of Christ

4. Holy words long preserved

For our walk in this world

They resound with God’s own heart

Oh let the ancient words impart