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Open Heaven For Today 2024 – Open Heavens 19 January

Open Heaven For Today 2024 Friday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – God`s Best Friend 1

Click HERE for Previous Open Heaven Devotional

TOPIC: God`s Best Friend 1

MEMORISE:"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." James 2:23

READ: Genesis 18:17-33 (KJV)

17 And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;


18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?


19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Open Heaven For Today 2024 – Open Heavens 19 January

20 And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;


21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.


22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.


23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?


24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?


25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?


26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.


27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:


28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.


29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.


30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.


31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.


32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.


33 And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 11-13

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

It may surprise you to know that God has best friends. God’s best friends are so close to Him that they know things about Him that no one else knows. 


They are people with an experiential knowledge of Him that most people don’t have.


Such people don’t like to talk deeply about how much of God they know because those who haven’t gotten that close to Him will misunderstand them.


Abraham was one of God’s best friends. He was so close to God that God said He could not do anything significant on earth without first informing him (Genesis 18:17).


Moses was also one of God’s best friends. He was so close to God that God Himself testified in Numbers 12:8 that He spoke to Moses mouth to mouth and that he beholds His similitude which is translated as ‘form’ in modern English.


John the Beloved was another man who was clearly one of God’s best friends. Of all the people on earth, Jesus decided to tell him all the things that will happen in the end time (Revelation 1:1).


All these people had such a close relationship with God that they saw sides of Him that others never saw. They heard things from Him that they never told others and made Him change His mind on several occasions (Genesis 18:24-32, Exodus 32:9-14).


Probably the most obvious example is reflected in Jesus’ relationship with Peter, James and John while He was on earth. Because they were with the Lord Jesus Christ on the Mount of transfiguration, they saw His glory (Matthew 17:1-2).


When He went to raise Jairus’ daughter, He allowed only the three of them to follow Him, and so they saw His resurrection power (Mark 5:35-37).


They were so close to Him that they saw Him in His time of distress at the garden of Gethsemane when He was crying for God to take away the cup from Him (Matthew 26:36-39).


Jesus invited them specially to watch with Him. These three experienced special moments with Jesus Christ that no one else did.


It indeed is a special honour and privilege to be one of God’s best friends.


I believe every sincere believer should desire to be in God’s special inner circle of friends, and so I will be discussing what it takes to become one of God’s best friends in the next couple of days.


Reflection

How close are you to God?


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 2024 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Book of Remembrance 3

Click HERE for Previous Open Heaven Devotional

TOPIC: The Book of Remembrance 3

MEMORISE:"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:" Psalm 103:2

READ: Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.


2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:


3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;


4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;


5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 8-10

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

Today, I will be discussing how needful it is for men to also open a book of remembrance of God’s goodness so that they can give Him praise like the psalmist in our Bible reading today.


Over the years, I have come to realise that many people easily forget the goodness of God to them.


For example, when things are going fine, it is easy for a fellow to be full of praise for his or her Maker.


However, when things are not going well, the same fellow may momentarily forget all that the Lord has done for him or her and immediately begin to complain.


David also realised this tendency in men to forget what God has done for them quickly, hence the reminder he set for himself in the memory verse of today.


After setting the reminder in Psalm 103:2 for himself, David went on to open the book of remembrance of God’s blessings upon his life and began to praise Him (Psalm 103:3-5). 


He praised God for forgiving his sins, for healing him, and for saving him from destruction.


He went further to praise God for crowning him with loving kindness and tender mercies. David also praised God for satisfying him with good things and for renewing his strength like the eagle’s.


Beloved, it is very important that you always remember the goodness of the Lord upon your life. 


You were created in His image, and this is enough reason for you to thank Him at all times. 


The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary for your sins and indeed the sins of the entire world is another major reason to be thankful to God at all times.


You should thank Him always for saving you from the consequences of sin and all sorts of evil in the world today. Like David, you must give thanks to God for His lovingkindness and tender mercies.


The Bible says that you would have been consumed if not for His tender mercies (Lamentations 3:22), so you owe your continued existence to Him.


I am sure that I can go on and on, and I still will not be able to exhaust the list of reasons you should praise God at all times.


Beloved, open a book of remembrance of the Lord’s goodness over your life today and begin to praise Him.


Action Point

Praise God throughout today and make this a habit going forward.


HYMN 17:– Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven

1 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;

to his feet your tribute bring.

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

evermore his praises sing.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Praise the everlasting King!


2 Praise him for his grace and favor

to his people in distress.

Praise him, still the same as ever,

slow to chide, and swift to bless.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Glorious in his faithfulness!


3 Fatherlike he tends and spares us;

well our feeble frame he knows.

In his hand he gently bears us,

rescues us from all our foes.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Widely yet his mercy flows!


4 Angels, help us to adore him;

you behold him face to face.

Sun and moon, bow down before him,

dwellers all in time and space.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Praise with us the God of grace! 




Open Heaven For Today 2024 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Book of Remembrance 2

Click HERE for Previous Open Heaven Devotional

TOPIC: The Book of Remembrance 2

MEMORISE:"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt." 1 Samuel 15:2

READ: Exodus 17:8-13 (KJV)

8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.


9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.


10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.


11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.


12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.


13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

READ: 1 Samuel 15:1-2(KJV)

1 Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord.


2 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 5-7

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

Yesterday, I mentioned some wonderful things that can happen to God’s children when He opens the book of remembrance in their favour.


Today, I will progress in the discussion by looking at what happens to the enemies of God when He opens the book of remembrance concerning them.


In our Bible readings today, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites for no just cause, and God recorded this evil act against them. He also promised to wipe them off from the face of the earth.


Many years after, their past evil action against the children of Israel was brought to remembrance, and the Lord commanded Saul to wipe them off the face of the earth.


I pray that a negative book of remembrance will never be opened to you, in Jesus’ name.


Beloved, a terrible book of remembrance was opened to all men because of the sin of the first man and woman in Genesis 3:19:


In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.


This terrible book of remembrance is re-echoed in Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23.


Beloved, the only way to escape the consequences of this terrible book of remembrance that was written because of the disobedience of our first parents is found in the last part of Romans 6:23:


…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


God has provided only one way of escape from this terrible book of remembrance, and that way is Jesus Christ (John 14:6).


Jesus’ blood was shed on the cross at Calvary to write off the consequences of this terrible book of remembrance for everyone who accepts Him as their Lord and Saviour.


Beloved, if you have not truly surrendered your life to Jesus, there is no way you can escape the ultimate consequence of this terrible book of remembrance, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).


Surrender all to Jesus today and commit to living a holy life if you are yet to do so.


Only then can you experience the mercy of God and have the Book of Life opened to you.


I declare that every evil book of remembrance concerning you shall be shut down permanently from today, in Jesus’ name.


Key Point

God has provided only one way of escape from the terrible book of remembrance and that way is Jesus Christ.


HYMN 19:– Rock of Ages, cleft for me

⁠1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 

let me hide myself in thee; 

let the water and the blood, 

from thy wounded side which flowed, 

be of sin the double cure; 

save from wrath and make me pure. 


2 Not the labors of my hands 

can fulfill thy law’s demands; 

could my zeal no respite know, 

could my tears forever flow, 

all for sin could not atone; 

thou must save, and thou alone. 


3 Nothing in my hand I bring, 

simply to the cross I cling; 

naked, come to thee for dress; 

helpless, look to thee for grace; 

foul, I to the fountain fly; 

wash me, Savior, or I die. 


4 While I draw this fleeting breath, 

when mine eyes shall close in death, 

when I soar to worlds unknown, 

see thee on thy judgment throne, 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 

let me hide myself in thee. 



Open Heaven For Today 2024 Tuesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Book of Remembrance 1

Click HERE for Previous Open Heaven Devotional

TOPIC: The Book of Remembrance 1

MEMORISE:"Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof." Nehemiah 13:14

READ: Esther 6:1-11(KJV)

1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.


2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.


 

3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.


4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.


5 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.


6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?


7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,


8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:


9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.


10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.


11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 1-4

Open Heaven For Today 2023 MESSAGE

I prophesy to you today that as you read this, a pleasant book of remembrance will be opened in your favour, in Jesus’ name.


According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the word remember means to be able to bring back a piece of information into your mind or to keep a piece of information in your memory.


In Genesis 8:1, the Bible says that God remembered Noah. Ordinarily, one cannot imagine that God can be forgetful and not remember the family He put in an ark.


Thus, when the Bible said that God remembered Noah, it could only mean that God was now paying attention to Noah’s situation.


The same thing applied to Rachel in Genesis 30:22-23 where the Bible says:


And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and open her womb. And she conceived, and bare a son; and said God hath taken away my reproach:


The above scripture reveals another meaning of remembrance: the taking away of reproach by a higher power. When God remembers a barren woman, she conceives and becomes a mother of children, like in the case of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:1-28.


She had been constantly provoked and humiliated by her rival because of her barrenness, and it seemed like her case was hopeless. However, God remembered her and intervened in her situation when she cried out to Him in Shiloh.


When she returned to Shiloh, she was carrying her testimony in her hands. 


In our Bible reading for today, God intervened in the case of Mordecai against his adversary, Haman.


Mordecai and his niece, Esther, prayed, and there was a breakthrough.


The king was unable to sleep, and he commanded that the record books be read to him. While this was being done, the good deed of Mordecai that had been forgotten was brought to remembrance.


That could only have been God. Nehemiah understood the things that can happen when God remembers a fellow, and that was why he prayed that prayer in today’s memory verse.


Beloved, I encourage you to ask that the Almighty God should open a book of pleasant remembrance for you this year.


I join my faith with yours, and I pray that He will remember you for good all through this new year and beyond, in Jesus’ mighty name.


Prayer Point

Father, please open a book of positive remembrance for me this year.


HYMN 15:– Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour

⁠1 Pass me not, O gentle Savior,

Hear my humble cry,

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

Refrain:

Savior, Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.


2 Let me at a throne of mercy

Find a sweet relief;

Kneeling there in deep contrition,

Help my unbelief. [Refrain]


3 Trusting only in Thy merit,

Would I seek Thy face;

Heal my wounded, broken spirit,

Save me by Thy grace. [Refrain]


4 Thou the Spring of all my comfort,

More than life to me,

Whom have I on earth beside Thee?

Whom in heav’n but Thee? [Refrain]


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