Open Heaven For Today 2023 Monday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Key to Divine Power
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TOPIC: The Key to Divine Power
MEMORISE:"And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." 2 Corinthians 10:6
READ: 2 Corinthians 7:1(KJV)
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 5-8
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
When I became a Christian, I was determined not to be an ordinary one. I wanted to be a Christian with power to do the impossible.
I soon discovered that to get power from God, you need to be totally sold out to Him.
When you study Paul the Apostle who was so powerful that his handkerchiefs and aprons were healing the sick, you will see that when he beheld Christ on his way to Damascus,
as he hit the ground, he said,
“What do you want me to do Lord?”
(Acts 9:61). That is total surrender from the onset.
You hear him say in Galatians 2:20:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless Hive; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
In other words, He was saying,
“Forget the Paul you used to know, forget all you knew about me; the only reason I am living now is that Christ is living in me.”
This is why he said in Philippians 1:21,
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
By God’s special grace, He has done so many great things through me that make me glad that I surrendered all to Him.
These are things that outweigh the pain of total surrender. Some people want God to use them mightily, but they still tell lies once in a while.
Some want to heal the sick but their money is too precious for God to take from them.
Some want to command demons but even the devil is looking at them and saying,
“From your sinful mouth? You think you can command me?”
Take your focus off the things of this world that distract you and surrender completely to God.
Pray without ceasing, study your Bible regularly, fast often – just go all in with God. Let Him know that you are His and His alone.
Don’t worry about the earthly things you are chasing now – Jesus Christ promised in Matthew 19:29:
"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
I can attest to that promise because He has fulfilled it in my life. Try Him and see.
Prayer Point
Father, give me the grace to do what it takes to become a custodian of Your power on earth.
HYMN 7: – I Am Thine O Lord
1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
3 Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
4 There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Open Heaven For Today 2023 Sunday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Hold Fast
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TOPIC: Hold Fast
MEMORISE:"My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live." Job 27:6
READ: Revelation 3:10-13 (KJV)
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 1-4
Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
God is preparing a place you. However, if you are still committing sin and feeling it is okay to do so, sorry, you have no place in heaven.
The place He is preparing in Heaven is only for those living Holy and are without blemish, spot or wrinkle.
He is coming back only for this people as they will be presented to Himself as His bride. Ephesians 5:27.
It is interesting to know however, that Jesus may be preparing a mansion with the name of someone on it, but that fellow may eventually not stay in that mansion while someone else takes his or her place.
That is why Revelation 3:11 says
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
In the days when it was considered a crime in a certain country to believe in Jesus Christ, some soldiers arrested five young Christians.
In the peak of terribly cold weather, the soldiers stripped these five boys and sent them into a freezing lake.
The soldiers built a fire to keep themselves warm and said to these boys,
“All you need to do to come to this warm fire and have your clothes on is to deny Jesus Christ”.
After a little while, the boys began to freeze in the water.
When they were about to freeze to death, one of the boys raised his hand and told the soldiers he was no longer a Christian.
They told him to come to the fire.
As he started moving towards the fire, God opened the eyes of one of the soldiers and he saw five angels, each one carrying a crown, just waiting for these boys to breathe their last so they could crown them and welcome them home.
As the boy who denied Jesus began to walk out of the lake, his angel turned to go away with his crown.
The soldier cried
“Angel, wait for me, I will take the crown”.
He removed his clothes, jumped into the lake, died with the other four and took the crown of that young man.
Starting a race is of little consequence; what really matters is if you reach the finish line.
Prayer Point
Father, whatever price I have to pay, don’t let me lose my crown. Don’t let me miss heaven, Lord.
HYMN 23: – 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 power as thou shalt choose,
every power 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 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.
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.
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